Sliding Glass Patio Door Repair
If your sliding glass patio doors are squeaking, sticking, or not functioning smoothly, they may require repair. Patio doors that slide are often subject to damage due to objects hitting the door, and the weather strip can fall apart, allowing air to enter.
These problems are usually simple to repair. Here are some helpful tips on how to fix your patio glass doors.
Dirty or damaged Tracks
Over time, dust, dirt and even rust could build up on the track of your sliding door and sill, which may make it difficult to open and close the door. To resolve this issue, begin by thoroughly cleaning your tracks. Mix a solution of warm water and non-abrasive household cleaner in a bucket, dip a soft cloth into the mixture, and then use it to scrub your sill and tracks. Make sure you get into the corners and other difficult-to-access places by using a butter knife encased in cloth to get into the nooks and crevices of the door jamb, if required. After you've completed scrubbing, wash the tracks and sills with clean water.
Then, give the tracks and rollers an oily lubrication that will help them slide more easily when the door is opened or closed. Make use of silicone-based lubricant or a similar product, to lubricate your tracks and other moving parts of your patio doors. After the lubrication has dried you can test opening or closing your sliding glass door to check how it performs now that it is properly lubricated.
If your sliding glass door stuck after having cleaned the tracks and applied lubrication there may be other issues to be considered. You may need to replace the rollers or adjust the track's height or position. A professional can assist you determine if this is the case and provide assistance if required.
If your patio door is leaking it's a larger issue that must be dealt with swiftly to stop the growth of mold as well as structural damage and water damage in the entire house. A patio that is leaking can be caused by a variety of things, including clogs or damage to the track or frame. While you can sometimes correct these issues with DIY solutions, it is often recommended to contact an expert for assistance. The pro can inspect the patio door that is leaking and repair the issue to avoid further water damage and leaks. They might also recommend replacing the entire frame of the patio door with a more durable model made from long-lasting materials.
Damaged Rollers
The bottom rollers on sliding glass patio doors may become damaged as time passes. If your door is difficult to open, you might need to replace these components. You may also find that the door is difficult to open due to a lack of oil lubrication. Lubricating your sliding glass patio door will help to prevent snags and friction.
Using a vacuum with an extended attachment or a soft, gentle brush with hot soapy water is an effective method of removing any debris that has accumulated in the track of your sliding glass patio door. After cleaning the tracks, you can use an item made of silicone to decrease friction and make your sliding glass patio door more easy to open.
Before attempting to replace your sliding glass patio door rollers, it is essential to look for any obvious damage to the wheels. If you do not see any dent or cracks, you may only require relubricating the mechanism. After re-lubricating your door, you must clean the track prior to reinstalling. This will help to avoid placing the new rollers on a dirty track, which can cause them to wear down quickly.
Replacing the sliding glass patio door roller could be an easy and affordable DIY project, but it is an undertaking that homeowners shouldn't attempt on their own. Patio doors are heavy, and the glass that is tempered can break if not handled with care. This task should be done by a skilled handyman or at least with the help of an experienced friend.
To take off sliding glass patio door repair locate the screw in the hole on either side of the frame's bottom. This screw is used to adjust the height of the rollers. The rollers are lowered by turning the screw clockwise, and raised by turning it counterclockwise. The patio door will slide off its track after you have loosened all the screws.
Misaligned Locking Mechanism
Over time the moving parts that comprise the sliding glass door's lock mechanism may become out of alignment. This could be a result of an accident or wear and tear. It could also make it difficult to open and close the door. This poses a security risk for pets and children, and reduces the energy efficiency of the home.
A misaligned lock can also cause the door to feel shaky and shaky, allowing drafts into your home. A loose screw on the bottom of the latch could cause the problem. Simple fixes can restore the latch's secure fit. In certain situations it might be necessary to replace the lock.
If the latch is slipping off the track however, the lock does not stick at all the humidity could be making the wood expand. A bit of lubrication could solve the issue, but if the issue persists, replacing the latch will be required.
Patio doors that slide open can be a useful and attractive addition to any home. However they can also be frustrating if they don't function properly. Cleaning the rollers and adjusting lock mechanisms are two steps that can keep these sliding glass patio doors operating smoothly and efficiently for a number of years to come.
It is best to get a professional glass patio repair service if you have cracked or shattered glasses. Removing glass requires breaking the seal, removing glass shards that have shattering and putting in the new window, which isn't something for the beginner. While you wait for repairs, a piece of plywood can be used as a temporary barricade to keep children and pets away from the damaged glass. A crack in the glass itself could be dangerous and needs to be repaired as soon as is feasible. Smaller cracks are usually repaired with clear epoxy resin, but a larger break or shattered pane will likely require replacement to ensure the door's security and insulation capabilities. A reputable glass repair service for patio doors is able to take care of all your glass requirements quickly and safely.
Sticky Tracks
Sliding glass doors are heavy and expensive and therefore using force to open or close them is not a good idea. It can damage the glass door and worsen the problem. Instead, apply a patience and try to solve the issue by carefully removing your door, checking the track's workings, and making any necessary adjustments or repairs to resolve the sticking.
It is the easiest way to examine the tracks and wheels by removing the door and laying it on a flat surface, such as a set, or sawhorses. This is a task that requires two people because the door is very heavy and could cause injury if it falls on the person who is within the vicinity.
After the door has been safely removed, you can use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the large pieces of debris that have accumulated in the tracks. The tracks are cleaned with a stiff brush and hot soapy water.
It's a great idea to spray clear wax or silicone spray on the track while it's still clean. This will help it glide better without attracting dirt or grime like oil-based products.
It is also recommended to lubricate the top and bottom of the track, as well as the mating edge of both door tracks where they join the door frame. These areas are often stuck after the track has been cleaned however after spraying it with lubricant and rubbed with the rag, it will move more easily.
You should also examine the rollers on your sliding door to see if they're damaged or worn. You will need to replace the rollers if they are damaged or worn out to keep your sliding door in motion. Vern's Glass in Victorville carries replacement rollers for a wide range of sliding glass doors and is a great place to locate what you require.