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Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors can bring the outdoors in to your home and improve its energy efficiency. However, over time they can show signs of wear and tear, which will require some attention. The majority of problems with sliding patio doors are fairly easy to repair. Find out how to keep your sliding patio doors looking and functioning like new. Tracks that are dirty or damaged One of the most frequent reasons for sliding patio doors that won't open is dirty or clogged tracks. Over time, the grit and grime from daily usage accumulates on the tracks and can cause the door to jam or even collapse completely. A regular cleaning of sliding doors and their tracks in your household chores can help minimize this build-up. Begin by cleaning large debris off the tracks. Then make use of warm water and non-abrasive cleaning products, such as dish soap, to wipe them down. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to remove stubborn dirt and grease staining. If your sliding door is still not moving smoothly after you've completed these steps, this could indicate that there is a more significant damage. This may need a professional's help to repair or replace the door. There are a few simple fixes you can make before calling in professionals to avoid costly repairs or replacements. It's important to place a doormat on the bottom of your sliding doors in order to catch dirt before it has a chance to get to the tracks. Make sure to trim the 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 crash into the tracks and cause damage to the rollers and wheels. You can increase the lifespan of your doors by keeping them clean and well-lubricated. Misaligned Rollers Sometimes, a patio sliding could be misaligned. Most often, this is due to dirt or other obstructions which can be easily removed. However, it could also be the result of a bent track or roller. In this case you can re-align the rollers by removing them with the adjustment screws, and then cleaning with ruby alcohol. These parts can be fragile. If your doors are still stuck, you can try lubricating the rollers to reduce friction and make it easier for them to slide. It is recommended to apply a silicone-based lubricant as petroleum-based ones can attract dirt faster. It is also important to clean the rollers and tracks prior to applying lubricant. After cleaning the rollers, you can put them back in place using the adjustment screws. It's recommended to make use of the same lubricant as you used when cleaning them. Make sure you push the rollers completely in their channels when reinstalling them. You can test the door and see if it slides smoothly. If the problem persists it could be necessary to remove your door and inspect the tracks and rollers for any more serious issues. If the rollers or tracks are bent in a way, they may need to be replaced. It's best to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this case. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are excellent for bringing the outdoors into your home and letting in natural sunlight, but they may also be prone to damage that requires repair or replacement. Warping, cracking, and fading are some of the most common problems. Warping occurs when the components that comprise your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade due to sun, heat and other environmental factors. Cracks are often caused by the impact of a collision, for example from a ball or lawn mower run-in, while fading usually happens due to repeated contact with sunlight and other elements found in nature. If you have sliding glass patio doors that aren't easy to close and open, this could be a sign that the rollers and tracks aren't working correctly. This issue may result from accumulation of dirt, rust or debris in the track, misaligned wheels or an absence of lubrication. This issue can be fixed by regularly cleaning the tracks and rollers and removing obstructions. Another reason your sliding patio doors may be difficult to open or close is because the locking mechanism is no longer working. This could be due to an issue with alignment or wear and tear but a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustment screws hidden in the bottom of the track. Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio door are a common issue that can affect the efficiency of your home's energy usage. These issues are typically caused by weather stripping that has worn out or poor alignment of the door. This can be easily fixed by replacing the weather stripping, and realigning your doors. Loose Handle It can be frustrating when the handle of a sliding door becomes loose. It makes it difficult to open the door. This is typically caused by a misaligned locking mechanism, which can be corrected by loosening the screws that hold it in place and tightening them until they fit against the door jamb. RepairMyWindowsAndDoors that is commonly cited for a loose handle is that it is detached from the spindle that connects it to the handles on the exterior and interior. This is often due to a variety of factors including excessive use, wear-and-tear or just aging. If the problem is not treated promptly, it could eventually lead to the entire handle becoming loose, and potentially falling off entirely. To fix this problem it is necessary to find the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. They are typically hidden by tabs made of plastic, which can be removed with a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of certain handles, a Phillips-head screwdriver). Store these screws safely to ensure they don't get lost. After removing the old handles the next step will be to remove the spindle. This can be done by tapping the end with a mallet or hammer until it comes loose from its place within the door. The new handle is fitted by putting the spindle in the hole for the handle inside and the other end into the exterior handle hole. Once the handle is in place it can be tightened by screwing the screws back into place and then examining to confirm that the locking and unlock mechanisms function properly. Weatherstripping that isn't working properly A cracked or worn weatherstripping could let water and air seep through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It could let in moisture and create drafts, which will increase the cost of cooling and heating. It is easy to replace damaged weatherstripping without professional assistance. You can take off the old weatherstripping by either loosing the staples with an screwdriver, or gently prying it off with the help of a putty blade, and then pulling it from the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping. This is secured by a foam seal that helps stop leaks and improve the comfort. If your sliding patio doors aren't working as they should, it's important to fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and keep them functional for years to come. Depending on how serious the problem is the best option is it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a repair/replacement by a professional may be the best choice. Most problems with sliding patio doors are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, or an untidy handle. In most cases these issues can be addressed through regular maintenance and cleaning, which includes fluidizing the track, adjusting the rollers and tightening the hardware. If these methods do not work it is recommended that you seek professional advice in order to make sure that your patio is functioning just as it should. Before you decide to replace or repair your patio door, be sure to check its warranty information to confirm that it is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This will save you money in the future for repairs and replacements.