Patio Doors Repair - How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors are a great option to connect your home to the outside. They offer a pleasant and easy transition. They can also save you money on heating and cooling costs by keeping the air inside your home. Over time, the luster of your sliding glass or French door may fade. Fortunately, simple repairs can keep them looking and functioning like new. Weatherstripping It's 5 am and you're letting your dog out for his morning jog when you stumble into an emerald-colored pool of water right in front of the sliding patio doors. You look around and realize that the rain from last night ripped through the seals of your patio doors. Don't panic, this isn't going to be a quick fix. With a bit of patience and some tools, you can fix this and protect your dog from cold, wet feet in the process. It is essential to replace the weatherstripping that seals off the gap between your door and jamb. This will keep out drafts, pests and moisture. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/stockport-patio-door-repairs-near-me/ will also help keep your energy bills down. A quick inspection of your windows and doors will show you whether the weatherstripping is in good shape or needs replacement. There are many types of weatherstripping that are available, including felt, open-cell foam and thermoplastic rubber, and metals like bronze and copper. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Open-cell foam and felt are both inexpensive however, they are also known to be visible and ineffective at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive but it holds up well and resists moisture. Rubber is an excellent choice for areas with high traffic because it doesn't wear out as quickly. To install new weatherstripping remove the patio door from the frame by loosening the roller adjustment screws with a screwdriver. Then, using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the plugs that hold the weatherstripping to the bottom of the frame. Then, take out the weatherstripping that was previously in place and take off any remaining adhesive from the frame's bottom. Then, trim the new to the appropriate length, peel off the plastic strip at the other end, and then apply it using a putty-blade to the jamb. Reinstall the door, and then adjust the roller screws to ensure that it sits properly in the track. Apply waterproof caulk to the area where the stationary panel bypasses the sliding door and the edge of the stationary panel meets the frame. This is a less reliable seal than weatherstripping, however it will last for a while. Handles and locks Patio door handles and locks are essential to ensure the security of your home. Over time, they can become damaged or worn and need to be replaced. The spindle connecting the interior and exterior handles could also need to be changed. To replace a handle on a patio door first remove the previous one by unscrewing any screws that are holding it in place. After removing the old handle, you can use a level and make sure that the patio door is straight. If the door isn't straight, it could cause problems for the lock. This could cause problems in the future. After you have the new handle, close and open it several times to make sure it functions properly. If you encounter any issues, check the instructions of the manufacturer or a specialist in hardware for assistance. To avoid future issues it is a good idea also to lubricate your lock mechanism using lubricant made of silicone. The most commonly used type of patio door lock is a mortise latch. It's typically made of steel and fits in a pocket cut into the door frame. These locks are commonly used on sliding wood and aluminum doors. When replacing a mortise lock, it is essential to measure a few things prior to ordering a new one. You'll need to know the location of the mounting holes and the location in the keyway lock. Some patio door handles come with the ability to lock the handle. They have a rectangular key cylinder that can be fitted in the handle's keyway. If you have this kind of patio door both the outside and inside locks are combined into one. This type of patio doors is often found on sliding aluminum doors. If your patio door latch isn't locked it could be because the lock tongue isn't getting the jamb's hasp correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door is not completely parallel with the jamb's side. Try opening the door about an inch and spotting it against the frame to determine whether there is any gap between the door and the jamb. If there is, adjust the rollers on the left or right sides of the patio door to get it perfectly parallel with the jamb. Misalignment Over time, the door's tracks and rollers can lose their proper alignment. This could cause the doors to become stuck or difficult to move. It can also allow drafts and cold air enter your home, which can reduce the efficiency of your energy. The issue of misalignment can be easily corrected and prevented. Applying a silicone-based grease to the tracks and rollers can make your doors glide again. This is a great idea if you want to keep your doors running at their peak. A damaged or ripped screen can be an issue. It could be an inconvenience or even risky. In addition, it can stop doors from closing and opening properly, leading to energy loss. In some cases, the screen can be repaired but in other cases the door has to be replaced. If you're experiencing a ripped screen, make sure you clean it thoroughly and try to avoid turning the handles of the door the wrong way when closing and opening. Hinges can become looser over time due to heavy use or wear and tear. This can be corrected by tightening screws regularly. This is an easy task that can be done yourself, but if you're not comfortable doing it, seek out an expert to make sure your doors are properly aligned and secure. It's recommended to regularly clean your patio doors' tracks and rollers. A simple vacuuming or brushing can remove dirt and dust that could hinder the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can use a special tool to remove tough dirt or corrosion. Checking and tightening the hinges' screws can aid in alignment however, sometimes it's necessary to replace them all together to ensure a solid, long-lasting seal. If the frames of your patio doors are sagging or warped, this can affect their alignment and performance. Warping or shifting can happen due to changes in the foundation of your home, but can be caused due to poor installation or due to frequent use. A professional can fix or replace the frame of your patio door and ensure it's properly aligned so that it can function at its peak. Rollers Patio doors that slide are great for bringing the outside in and providing plenty of light, but they do require some maintenance to ensure they are sliding smoothly. If you find that you need to really yank on the handle to get your door to move, or it isn't as easy to slide as it did in the past, the culprit may be the rollers. In time the lower track could be clogged with dirt, dust, and mud. This makes it difficult for rollers to move. It is possible to clean it by spraying it with a lubricant, such as 2Slick. If the tracks have been cleaned but the rollers not moving freely, it's time to replace them. Replacement rollers are available for your door and track type. You can buy these at most hardware stores, but will need someone to help you remove and reinstall the rollers. Take a photo of the rollers installed in the frame to assist the experts identify the exact model and type you require. You can also look for distinctive characteristics like bumps, dimples and flared edges and cut-outs that can narrow down alternatives for replacement. After replacing the rollers you'll need to put the sliding door in its frame. It's a heavy door, so you may require assistance. Make sure there are screws securing the track to either side of the frame. If so, make sure they are loose enough for the door's bottom to fall into the channel above the frame. If there's screen doors, take it from the opening and make sure it's free of track and rollers. After the new rollers are in then carefully insert the door into the frame, then swing it down into place. If your rollers are adjustable, you can adjust them so that the door has enough clearance.