Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement
Sliding patio doors are a wonderful addition to any home. They're simple to operate and provide a wide view. Like any other household door they're susceptible to wear and tear, which requires replacement or repair.
Make sure you regularly clean and lubricate your sliding patio doors regularly to keep them in good working order. Lubricating them with graphite or silicon spray will allow them to glide smoothly and extend their usage.
Roller Replacement
If your sliding patio door doesn't roll smoothly, you might need to grease it. But, if the rollers are worn out or damaged, they must be replaced. Replacing your patio door's rollers will let your doors operate smoothly and lessen the force required to open or close them.
If your patio door was manufactured before 2000, you may need to remove the bottom of the frame in order to get access to the rollers. If this is the situation you can use a mallet made of rubber and a block of wood to tap the assembly loose, and then pull it off. Save the roller screws to install your new rollers.
Sliding glass doors are crucial security points in most homes and should be secured properly. In addition to making it difficult to open or close your door, damaged or old roller wheels can leave gaps that could be exploited by burglars. Replacement of your patio door rollers will ensure that your home is secure from unwanted visitors.
After removing the bottom and top rails, it is recommended to wipe down all parts of the track with an alcohol-soaked cloth. This will get rid of any dirt and make the task of taking the doors off the tracks much easier. The drainage holes on the bottom of the track should be obvious, but they are often clogged by dirt. If you find that your track is prone to collecting dirt, consider installing a stainless steel u-shaped piece that snaps over the track to provide an extra channel for water flow. These are available from CR Laurence and other retailers who specialize in sliding door replacement parts.
Make sure to install the bottom panel first before installing the top panel. After the doors are in place, you'll be able test they move freely and don't require a lot of force to open or close them. If the doors still feel rough, you can adjust the rollers to allow for more clearance.
Weather Stripping Replacement
Your sliding door's weather strip seals are slowly worn away and allow in moisture and drafts that can raise your energy costs. It's an easy and simple task that can save you money on heating costs.
Weather stripping for sliding doors is available in a wide variety of materials, each having its own advantages and drawbacks. It is important to select the right material that can stand up to friction, temperature changes as well as weather changes and pedestrian traffic, but not interfere with the operation of the sliding door. Foam and felt are affordable but are prone to weather, and are visible in the frame. Vinyl is more costly, but lasts for years. Metals are durable however they may not look appropriate in the modern home. Rubber or plastic can be damaged over time and will require replacement on a regular basis.
To install new weather stripping, first remove the door from its casing. Find patio door repairs on the top of the door typically small pieces of metal or plastic that is secured with screws. Take off the screws and then use a screwdriver that is flat to pry the headstop loose from the door's bottom. Remove the old weatherstripping as well as any remaining debris using the help of a scraper or putty blade.
Do not try to pull the door off its tracks with only one person. You'll need to apply a lot of force. Instead, you should have a second person keep the door in place while you take it off its frame.
Find the channels that are holding your weather stripping. Plugs that are in line with the color of your doors should be put in these channels. Pull the weatherstripping up to remove it from the channel. Take the plugs off.
Fin Seal is the most effective type of weather stripping that is suitable for sliding patio doors. This type of weather stripping comes with a Mylar fin centered in the pile (brush material) and is very robust, suitable for almost all climates, and is able to stand up well to foot traffic. The back of the stripping is composed of a flexible, tough material that is able to withstand the rigors a sliding patio door.
Door Alignment
The sliding patio doors are a wonderful option for any home. However, just like many other things, they might require adjustments from time to time in order to perform at their best. Over time, these sliding patio doors may be worn out or out of alignment. This can lead to problems like sticking, bumping against frames, and not locking properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments will stop these issues and save you time and money.
The most frequent cause of sliding door misalignment comes from damage to the rollers or tracks caused by sudden jolts and excessive force. This problem can be solved quickly using the right tools. Your patio door will continue to slide smoothly for a long time.
Other causes for misalignment include changes in humidity or temperature as well as wear and tear on the weatherstripping and poor installation. The latter can result in parts shifting and becoming loose over time which causes the door to move, but not latch or close properly. Over time, these shifts can create air drafts or even let water leak into the house.
To avoid these issues, it is important to regularly clean and lubricate your track for your patio door. You can buy a small amount of lubricant spray-on at any hardware retailer. Applying it regularly with a small bristle can help keep your track operating smoothly.
Another reason for misalignment of sliding patio doors is the latch hook not synchronizing with the strike plate on the jamb. To fix this start by opening the door to expose the latch mechanism, and give you full access to it. Then, locate the adjustment screw that controls this latch hook, and then gently rotate it in either direction to adjust its length. A properly adjusted latch will ensure that the latch will engage and hit the strike plate with no resistance or obstruction.
Check your door after you have made the necessary adjustments to ensure it locks and slides correctly. Repeat the procedure if there are still any issues until your sliding patio doors is functional. By following these easy steps you can save yourself a lot of money by not having to hire professionals to perform expensive repairs.
Frame Replacement
Over time, screws on sliding door frames may loosen, allowing the frame to move. By checking and tightening these screws, you will be able to stop your doors from becoming stuck or jammed. A screen that is sagging can be fixed by a bit of clamping. However hinges that are loose could require replacement.
It is possible to repair the patio's sliding mechanism without replacing the frame, but you must first assess the condition of the current frame. This is a more cost-effective option than replacing the entire frame and can address specific needs, such as improved insulation.
A full frame replacement involves the complete removal of hinged doors frames, windows and doors from the wall opening. This allows a brand new sliding patio door to be built and can provide more options in terms of style, size and material choices.
Sliding glass doors are designed to give you a stunning view from your backyard. However, they may show signs of wear over time. If your sliding glass doors are difficult to open or are stuck it may be necessary to replace the track or wheels. If the frame is in good shape, replacing just the doors might be enough.
Be sure that your work area is free of any obstructions, and that you've laid down a dropcloth. Next, lay the sliding door on a flat surface and remove any grilles or shades from the frame. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the plugs covering the screws that adjust the rollers at the bottom of the sliding door frame (they're often covered by caps). Once these screws are removed then you can loosen them and remove the door's bottom away from the track.
Once the frame has been exposed, you can replace both the track and the sliding door wheels. If your track for sliding doors is damaged or worn out it is best to replace it completely than fixing an existing track. You can either buy a DIY kit or employ a professional to install it. In either case, you must follow the directions of the manufacturer to ensure proper installation.