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Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will bring the outdoors in to your home, and will increase its energy efficiency. However, with time, they can show signs of wear and tear that require some maintenance. Luckily, the majority of problems with sliding patio doors are fairly easy to fix. Learn more about how you can keep your patio doors looking and operating like new:. Dirty or damaged tracks The tracks of your sliding patio door could be filthy or clogged. Over time, the grit and grime from daily usage accumulates on the tracks and can cause the door to become jammed or even fall apart completely. This buildup can be reduced by including regular light cleanings of sliding doors and tracks in your daily household chores. Begin by cleaning any large debris from the tracks and then wipe them clean with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaner, such as dish soap. Adding a bit of vinegar to your cleaning solution may also aid in the removal of stubborn dirt and grease staining. If you notice that your sliding door isn't able to move smoothly after completing these steps, it may be an indication of more serious damage that requires a professional repair or replacement. However, there are many easy fixes you can try before calling in the professionals to save on costly repairs or replacements. It's important to place a doormat at the bottom of your sliding doors to help catch dirt before it can reach the tracks. You should also regularly cut back any bushes or plants close to your sliding doors in order to limit the amount of debris 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 well-lubricated, you can extend their lifespan considerably. Rollers that are misaligned Sometimes, a patio sliding may become out of alignment. This usually happens due to dirt, or other obstructions which can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due to a bent roller or track. In this situation, you can realign the rollers by taking them off using the adjustment screws and cleaning with ruby alcohol. These parts are often fragile. If your doors are stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to move more easily. It is recommended to make use of a silicone-based lubricant because petroleum-based lubricants can draw dirt more quickly. It is essential to clean the rollers and tracks before applying lubricant. After cleaning the rollers, you can reinstall using the adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant that you used to clean them. When you reinstall the rollers, ensure that you push them completely into their channels. You can test your door now and see if it glides 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 badly bent they might need to be replaced. In such a case it's best to contact a professional for the installation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are excellent for bringing outside into your home and letting natural light in, but they may also be vulnerable to damage that needs repair or replacement. The most frequent problems that arise are cracking, warping, and fading. Warping occurs when the materials that comprise your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade due to heat, sun and other environmental factors. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage, such as from a ball or lawn mower run-in, and fading generally occurs due to repeated contact with sunlight or other elements of nature. If you have sliding glass patio doors that are hard to open and close, this could indicate that the tracks and rollers are not functioning properly. This issue could be caused by accumulated dirt, rust, or debris in the track or wheels, or by a lack or lubrication. This problem can be resolved by regularly cleaning the tracks, rollers and removing obstructions. The locking mechanism might be faulty which makes it difficult to open and shut your sliding patio doors. It could be due to misalignment or wear and tear, or a combination of both. To fix this, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws on the bottom. Drafts or air leaks that occur around your sliding patio doors are a common problem that can drastically reduce their energy efficiency. They typically originate from worn weather stripping and poor alignment of the doors and is easily fixed by replacing the old weather stripping and re-aligning the doors. Loose Handle When a sliding door's handle becomes loose, it could be quite frustrating and make it difficult for people to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an incorrectly aligned locking mechanism which can be corrected by loosening the screws that secure it and tightening them until they are snug against the door jamb. Another reason for a handle to become loose is that it has separated from the spindle that connects it to the handles on the exterior and interior. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including frequent use, wear and tear or just aging. If the issue isn't dealt with quickly, the handle can be loosened and fall off. To solve this issue to fix it, you must first find the screws that connect the handles' exterior and interior. They are typically hidden by tabs made of plastic that can be removed using a flathead screwdriver (or in the case of certain handles, a Phillips head screwdriver). It is a good idea to store these screws somewhere safe so that you don't lose them. After removing the handles, the next step will be to remove the spindle. This can be done by tapping the spindle with a hammer or mallet until it falls free from its position inside the door. The new handle is fitted by placing the spindle inside the hole for the handle inside and the other end through the hole on the outside of the handle. Once the handle is in place it can be tightened by screwing the screws back in and then testing to ensure that the locking and unlock mechanisms function properly. Poor weatherstripping A cracked or worn weatherstripping could allow air and water to be able to seep through your patio doors, which can compromise the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. It can allow moisture in and create drafts, which will increase the cost of cooling and heating. It is easy to replace damaged weatherstripping with no professional help. You can remove the old weatherstripping by either loosing the staples with an screwdriver, or gently squeezing it with the help of a putty blade, and then taking it off the door. Then, RepairMyWindowsAndDoors can clean the area and apply a layer of weatherstripping which is backed with a foam seal. This will stop leaks and improve the comfort of your. If your sliding patio door isn't functioning as it should, you have to fix the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage and to ensure that they are functional for years to come. Depending on the severity of the problem is the best option is a DIY solution or a 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, misaligned wheels and a loose handle. These issues can be resolved through regular cleaning and maintenance including changing the track's lubricant and adjust and tightening the hardware. If these measures are not working, you should seek professional advice in order to ensure that your patio is functioning exactly as it should. If you decide to replace or repair your patio door, be sure to verify the warranty information to confirm that it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This will save you money in the future for repairs and replacements.