5 Conspiracy Theories About Patio Doors Repairs You Should Avoid

Sliding Patio Doors Repairs

Your sliding glass patio doors bring natural light and improve your home's energy efficiency. However, as time passes, they can show signs of wear and tear that will require a bit of maintenance.

Luckily, most of the problems with sliding patio doors are fairly easy to fix. Find out how you can keep your sliding patio doors looking and working like new.

Tracks that are damaged or dirty Tracks

One of the most common reasons for sliding patio door repair near me patio doors that won't open is dirty or blocked tracks. Over time, the dirt and grime from daily use can accumulate on the track. This could cause the door jam to become damaged or break completely.

The buildup can be slowed by incorporating regular light cleaning of tracks and sliding doors in your routine chores. Begin by cleaning large debris off the tracks. Then make use of warm water and non-abrasive cleansing products like dish soap to clean them. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help get rid of stubborn grease and dirt staining.

If your sliding door not working smoothly after you've completed these steps, it could be a sign that there is more serious damage. This could need a professional's help to repair or replace the door. There are a few basic fixes you can do before calling a professional to avoid expensive repairs or replacements.

Install a doormat underneath your sliding doors. This will help to keep dirt out of the tracks. Regularly trim any plants and bushes that are in close proximity to your sliding door to reduce the amount of debris that is tracked into the tracks. Finally, be sure to close the door in a way that it doesn't hit the tracks and damage the wheels and rollers. By keeping your doors clean and well-lubricated, you can prolong their lifespan considerably.

Rollers that are misaligned

Sometimes, a patio sliding could be misaligned. Usually, this is due to obstructions such as dirt or other that can be easily removed. Sometimes, it's due to a bent roller or track. In the latter case you might be able to straighten the roller by extracting them by using their adjustment screws and then cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. These parts can be fragile.

If your doors are still stuck and stick, you can try using lubricants on the rollers to reduce friction and make it easier for them to slide. It is recommended to make use of a silicone-based lubricant since petroleum-based ones tend to attract dirt faster. It is also important to clean the rollers and tracks prior to lubricating them.

After cleaning the rollers you can reinstall using their adjustment screws. It's also a good idea to make use of the same lubricant as you used to clean them. Make sure you push the rollers completely into their channels before reinstalling them. Then, you can test your door to determine whether it is now sliding smoothly.

If the problem persists it may be necessary to take the door off and inspect the tracks and rollers. If the rollers or tracks are bent badly they might need to be replaced. It is recommended to hire a professional to install the tracks or rollers in this case.

Warped Glass

Sliding glass doors are ideal for bringing the outdoors and natural sunlight into a room, but they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. Some of the most common problems that occur include warping, cracking and fading. Warping occurs when the components that comprise your sliding glass patio door start to degrade due to sun, heat and other environmental elements. Cracking is often caused by impacts, such as the impact of a lawnmowers or ball hitting into the door. Fading usually occurs because of repeated exposure to sunlight and other elements.

If you have sliding glass patio doors that aren't easy to open and close it could indicate that the rollers and tracks aren't working correctly. This could be due to the accumulation of dirt, rust, or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or the lack of lubrication. This problem can be resolved by regularly cleaning the rollers, tracks and removing obstructions.

The locking mechanism could be faulty, making it difficult to open and close your sliding patio doors. This could be caused by misalignment or wear and tear, however, a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustment screws hidden on the bottom of the track.

Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio door are a common issue that can decrease their energy efficiency. They are usually caused by damaged weather stripping or poor alignment of the doors and can be easily corrected by replacing the weather stripping and realigning the doors.

Loose Handle

If the handle of a sliding doors becomes loose, it could be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an improperly aligned locking mechanism, which can be fixed by loosening the screws that secure it and then tightening them until they are snug against the jamb of the door.

Another reason that is commonly cited for a loose handle is that it has separated from the spindle that connects it to the handles' exterior and interior. This is typically the result of a combination of factors, such as excessive use, wear and tear, or simply aging. If the issue isn't addressed quickly, the handle may be loosened and fall off.

The best method to solve this problem is by first finding the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. They are usually hidden by tabs made of plastic that can be removed using a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of some handles, a Phillips head screwdriver). Securely store these screws to avoid losing them.

After the handles have been removed the next step is to remove the loose spindle. You can do this by tapping the end of the spindle with a hammer until it is freed from its position within the door. The new handle is then fitted by putting the spindle into the handle hole inside and the other end into the exterior handle hole. Once the handle has been installed then tighten it by screwing back the screws and then test to ensure the lock and unlock mechanism is working correctly.

Faulty Weatherstripping

A damaged or cracked weatherstripping may allow air and water to be able to seep through your patio doors, which can compromise the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to letting in moisture, it can create drafts and also increase your cooling or heating costs. It is easy to replace damaged weatherstripping with no professional help. First, you need to remove the old stripping by either loosing its staples with a screwdriver or prying it gently using a putty knife, and then taking it away from the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping, which is backed by a foam seal that helps stop leaks and improve comfort.

If your sliding patio door is not working as it should, you must to fix the problem immediately to avoid further damage and to ensure that they are functional for years to be. Depending on the nature of the problem, DIY or professional repair/replacement could be the best option.

The most frequent issues that arise with sliding patio doors are dirty rollers from debris in the tracks, wheels that are not aligned and a loose handle. These issues are usually resolved by regular maintenance and cleaning like changing the track's lubricant and adjust, and tightening the hardware. If these measures do not work, you should seek professional advice in order to make sure that your patio is functioning exactly as it should. Review the warranty information before you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This will save you money in the future on repairs and replacements.