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Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding glass patio doors help provide natural light and boost your home's energy efficiency. However, as time passes, they could show signs of wear and tear, which will require some maintenance. The majority of sliding patio door issues are relatively easy to fix. Learn more about how to keep your patio doors looking and working like new:. Tracks that are dirty or damaged One of the most common causes of sliding patio doors that do not open is dirty or clogged tracks. Over time, dirt and grime from everyday usage can accumulate on the track. This can cause the jam to break or even break completely. This buildup can be reduced by incorporating regular light cleaning of tracks and sliding doors in your routine chores. Start by brushing or vacuuming any big debris from the tracks, and then wipe them clean with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help remove stubborn grease and dirt stains. If your sliding door is not working smoothly after you have followed these steps, this could indicate that there is a more significant damage. This could require a professional to repair or replace the door. There are a few basic solutions you can try before calling in professionals to avoid expensive repairs or replacements. It is important to put a doormat near the bottom of your sliding doors to trap dirt before it has the chance to reach the tracks. You should also regularly trim any plants or bushes near your sliding doors to reduce the amount of debris that gets trapped in the tracks. Close the door in a timely manner to prevent damage to the rollers and wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can extend their lifespan considerably. Rollers that are misaligned Sometimes, a patio may become out of alignment. Usually, this is due to dirt or other obstructions which can be easily removed. Sometimes, it's due to a bent roller or track. In this instance you can re-align the rollers by removing them using the adjustment screws and then cleaning with the rubbing alcohol. These parts can be fragile. If your doors are stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to slide more easily. It is best to use a silicone-based lubricant, because petroleum-based lubricants can draw dirt more quickly. It is also crucial to clean the rollers and tracks before lubricating them. After you've cleaned the rollers, you can reinstall them using the screws for adjustment. It's also a good idea to use the same lubricant you used for cleaning them. When reinstalling the rollers, ensure that you push them all the way into their channels. You can test your door now and see if it slides smoothly. If the problem persists it is possible to take the door off and check the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or rollers are bent in a way, they may need to be replaced. In such a case, it's a good idea to get an expert for the installation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are ideal to bring in natural light and the outdoors into a room, but they are also susceptible to damages that require repair or replacement. Some of the most frequent issues that can occur are cracking, warping, and fading. The materials that make up the sliding glass patio doors start to deteriorate when exposed to sunlight, heat and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is the impact of a collision, for example from a ball or lawn mower run-in, whereas fading typically happens due to repeated contact with sunlight or other elements found in nature. If you have sliding glass patio doors that aren't easy to open and close, this could be an indication that the rollers and tracks do not work properly. This issue could be caused by the accumulation of dirt, rust, or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or an absence of lubrication. This problem can be resolved by cleaning the tracks and rollers and removing obstructions. The locking mechanism might be faulty which makes it difficult to open or close your sliding patio doors. This could be caused by misalignment or wear and tear but the solution is to adjust the locking mechanism by using the adjustment screws located on the bottom of the track. Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio door are a common problem that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy usage. They typically originate from damaged weather stripping and poor alignment of the doors that can be easily fixed by replacing the old weather stripping and aligning the doors. Loose Handle When a sliding door's handle is loose, it can be quite frustrating and cause it difficult for people to open the door. The reason for this is an incorrectly aligned lock mechanism. It can be repaired by tightening and loosening the screws holding it in the correct position. A loose handle may be caused by the handle separating from the spindle which connects it to the inside or exterior handles. This usually happens as a result of a combination of factors, including excessive use wear and tear or simply the general aging. If the problem is not resolved promptly, it may eventually result in the entire handle becoming loose, and eventually falling off completely. To solve this issue to fix it, you must first find the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. They are typically hidden by tabs made of plastic, which can be removed using a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of certain handles, a Phillips head screwdriver). It's a good idea to store these screws somewhere safe to ensure that you don't lose them. After the handles have been removed, the next step is to remove the spindle that is loose. This can be done by pounding the end of the spindle with a hammer until it is removed from its position inside the door. The new handle can be installed by simply putting the spindle through the hole on the interior handle, and then placing the other end of the spindle through the hole in the exterior handle. Once the handle is installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws. Then, test to ensure the lock and unlock mechanism is working properly. Unusual Weatherstripping Weatherstripping that's cracked or worn can let air and water get into your patio door, which can compromise your home's comfort and energy efficiency. It can allow moisture in and create drafts, which can increase your cooling and heating costs. Fortunately, replacing faulty weatherstripping is a simple repair that doesn't require professional assistance. First, you must take off the old stripping by loosening its staples using an screwdriver or pinning it with the help of a putty knife before pulling it off the door. Then, you can clean the area and apply an additional layer of weatherstripping that is secured with an adhesive. patio door repairs will stop leaks and enhance the comfort. If your sliding patio doors are no 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 the severity of the issue, DIY or professional repair/replacement could be the best option. Most sliding patio door problems are caused by dirty rollers, faulty tracks, and a loose handle. In most cases, these issues can be resolved through regular maintenance and cleaning, which includes oiling the track as well as adjusting the rollers and tightening hardware. However, if these methods fail, it's advisable consult a professional for advice to ensure that your patio door is working as it should. Make sure to check the warranty information prior to you decide to replace or repair your patio door. This can save you money on repairs or replacements in the future.