How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door A variety of problems can make it difficult to operate sliding patio doors. Luckily, most of these problems can be fixed easily. Cleaning your sliding patio door will fix it the easiest. You'll need a brush and soapy water to thoroughly clean the tracks. Then you can apply lubrication to improve their movement. 1. Dirty or damaged tracks Dirt and debris in the track are the most common cause of a sticky patio door. Pine straw, bird droppings and salt, sand, winter roads and other nasty things can block the track. It's important to regularly clean and lubricate your sliding doors. Start by putting on some rubber gloves and safety goggles to protect your eyes. Then, vacuum the tracks with the help of a shop vac or a brush to remove loose gunk. Then, mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water in spray bottles. Spray a small amount of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the sill and track. Rinse and dry the area using paper towels. This will prevent scratching and further damage to the track and sill. Once the tracks are clean you can take the toothbrush and go there to scrub the tougher areas that are stuck. You can also rub rough spots onto the bottom tracks. You can then replenish the wheels with lubricant to ensure smooth operation. Another reason for a squeaky door is a misaligned roller and can be fixed by adjusting the height and position of the rollers. If you are replacing the weather stripping, it's an excellent idea to do it to ensure a secure fitting and increase energy efficiency. Leaking from the track is also a serious problem that can lead to mold growth and structural damage to your home. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/patio-door-repairs-corby/ is possible to solve the issue yourself in the event that the leak is limited to a single section of the track. Simply seal the joint. If the issue is extensive, it's best to contact an expert to fix the patio door. 2. Broken or Torn Screen If your patio door does not allow for airflow, it can make your home feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable. It could also be a welcome entryway for pests and mosquitoes. You should call a professional as soon as you notice the screen is damaged or there is a fog in between the glass panes. If you have a standard sliding patio door, the most straightforward solution is to replace the existing screen with a new one. You can find screen material in pre-measured rolls that will accommodate the majority of door sizes. You can also purchase full screen repair kit that includes the screen, spline and roller in one box. The process of installing a new screen begins by laying the new material on a firm surface. Then use your scissors to cut it into lengths so that about an inch or two of the screen overlaps on both sides of the frame. Next, remove the old spline as well as any screen that's left from the window frame using your utility knife. Now you can lay out the new screen spline, starting at the lower left corner of the frame. Then, work your way up to the edges. Once the spline has been placed, use your screen rolling tool to push it into the groove. Trim any excess screen and spline with your utility knife, making sure not to cut the interior of the frame. You should also examine the spline for distortions or ripples and adjust the screen if needed. 3. Seals that leak If you notice water pooling or trapped between the glass panes of your patio door, this is a sign that the seals and frame have lost their elasticity. This can cause mold and rot as well as increased energy costs due to air leakage and drafts. Leaking seals are often caused by poorly installed caulking or flashing. To avoid this from happening, it's crucial to hire an experienced professional who has experience installing patio doors and can make sure that the frame is properly flashed and caulked. You'll need to fill any cracks or gaps with caulking rated for your particular kind of weather. If you live in an area that has a humid climate, like Ontario and the like, then you'll want to select a caulking product that can withstand moisture. Another common cause of leaking seals is when the shims beneath the door frame aren't installed correctly. They are typically made from wood and help keep the sheathing in line with the framing. However when they aren't installed correctly, they can create a gap which allows moisture to get into your home. Spraying the frame with a garden nozzle or hose is an excellent method to test the seals. If you see an airborne mist entering these areas, it's time to contact a professional inspect the frame at the installation. You may only need to add a few caulks or change the shims. In either case, addressing the issue promptly will help avoid future damage and costly repairs. It is always best to repair your frame or patio door before it's too late to put off repairs. 4. Warped Frame When wood is exposed to outside factors, like a change in humidity, it will absorb and lose moisture, which can cause the frame to become warped. If a sagging frame begins to develop it makes the door less functional and can ultimately lead to damage or even complete failure. This is especially the case for doors that divide damp garages and basements from living spaces. A sagging frame can be corrected by minor repairs. Start by checking the frame to ensure that all the bolts and screws have been tightened and secured. Replace any missing or loose screws. Then, you can replace the hinge screws with longer ones that are at least 2 inches long. This allows the screw get into the wall framing rather than the door jamb, which will pull the frame back in place. You could also put in shims. These are thin pieces that can be placed on top of the hinges. This will allow you to fine-tune the way that the frame is placed. Shims can assist in supporting the frame and distribute the weight evenly across a wider area and prevent the frame from becoming more stretched over time. For more severe frame warps, you might want to think about hiring a professional for repair. A professional will inspect the frame thoroughly to determine the severity and offer a complete solution. They can also put in additional bracing to strengthen the frame and prevent it from sagging in the future. In most instances this is a more cost-effective and durable solution than buying new patio door parts. If the frame is severely damaged, you might have to replace the entire jamb of the door, not just the door itself. 5. Cosmetic Damage Over time, the patio doors can experience many wear and wear and. Damage to the surface can leave your doors looking less than desirable and impact the aesthetic of your home. The good news: most cosmetic damage is easily repaired using bonding fillers or paint. If the door has large cracks or dents it is recommended to replace it instead of trying to repair it. Similar to the seal around windows, doors' weatherstripping can lose its effectiveness with time. This can result in gaps that allow air from outside to enter your home and increase the cost of energy. A door repair professional can install new weatherstripping in order to reduce energy loss and increase insulation. Moisture on the exterior of your door is never good news however patio doors are especially vulnerable to it. This moisture can cause wood rot that is costly and difficult to fix. Water leaks must be fixed immediately by an expert. A patio door could be misaligned over time due to foundation changes or regular usage. This can cause the doors to become jammed or difficult to open and close. A technician can realign hinges and tracks for smooth operation. They can also replace worn-out hinges and rollers to restore proper functionality.