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Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding glass patio doors bring natural light and improve your home's energy efficiency. In time, they might start to show signs that require some attention. Most sliding patio door problems are fairly easy to fix. Find out more about how to keep your patio doors looking and working like new:. Dirty or damaged Tracks The tracks of your sliding patio door may be filthy or blocked. Over time, dirt and grime of daily use can build up on the track. This can cause the jam to break or to break down completely. This buildup can be minimized by including regular light cleanings of sliding doors and tracks in your daily household chores. Start by cleaning sliding patio door lock repair off the tracks. Then, use warm water and non-abrasive cleansing products like dish soap to clean them. Add a little vinegar to your cleaning solution can also aid in the removal of stubborn dirt and grease staining. If you find that your sliding door isn't able to move smoothly after completing these steps, it may be the sign of more severe damage and requires a professional repair or replacement. There are a few simple solutions you can try before calling a professional to avoid expensive repairs or replacements. It is important to put a doormat near the bottom of your sliding doors in order to trap dirt before it has the chance to get to the tracks. It is also important to cut back any bushes or plants close to your sliding doors in order to minimize the amount of debris tracked into the tracks. Close the door correctly to prevent damage to the rollers and wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated, you can extend their lifespan significantly. Rollers that are misaligned Sometimes, a patio sliding can become misaligned. Most often, this is due to dirt or other obstructions which can be easily removed. However, it can also be due to bent tracks or rollers. In the latter scenario, you may be able to straighten the roller by extracting them by using the adjustment screws and cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. These parts can be fragile. If your doors remain stuck then you could try applying lubrication to the rollers to decrease friction and allow them to slide. Choose a silicone-based lubricant, because petroleum-based lubricants may attract dirt faster. It is important to clean the rollers and tracks prior to applying lubricant. After cleaning the rollers you can reinstall using their adjustment screws. It's recommended to use the same lubricant you used when cleaning them. Be sure to push the rollers all the way in their channels when reinstalling them. You can test the door and see if it moves smoothly. If the issue persists, it could be necessary to take the door off and check the rollers and tracks. If the wheels or tracks are badly bent, you may need to replace them. In such a case it's best to get a professional for the installation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are ideal to bring in natural light and the outdoors into a room, but they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. Cracks, warping, and fading are some of the most common problems. The materials used to make the sliding glass patio doors begin to break down when exposed sunlight, heat and other environmental elements. The most common cause of cracking is impact damage, such as from a ball or lawn mower run-in, while fading usually happens due to repeated contact with sunlight or other natural elements. If your sliding glass patio doors are difficult to close or open, it could be a sign that their rollers and tracks are not functioning correctly. This could be due to accumulated dirt, rust or debris in the track, wheels that are not aligned or a lack of lubrication. Cleaning the tracks and rollers by removing obstructions, and then applying silicone spray can aid in resolving this issue. The locking mechanism could also be faulty and make it difficult to open and close your sliding patio doors. It could be due to misalignment, wear and tear or an amalgamation of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws on the bottom. Drafts or air leaks that surround your sliding patio door are a common issue that can affect their energy efficiency. These issues are typically caused by weather stripping that has worn out or poor alignment of the door. This can be fixed easily by replacing the weather stripping and realigning your doors. Loose Handle It can be quite frustrating when the handle of a sliding door becomes loose. It can be difficult to open. This is due to an improperly aligned lock mechanism. It can be repaired by tightening and loosening the screws holding it in place. A loose handle may result from the handle becoming detached from the spindle which connects it to the interior or exterior handles. This is usually the result of a combination of factors, such as excessive use, wear and tear, or simply aging. If the issue isn't resolved promptly, it may eventually lead to the entire handle becoming loose and potentially falling off entirely. The best method to solve this issue is by first locating the screws that attach the handles' exterior and interior. These screws are usually hidden behind plastic tabs that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver, in some instances) screwdriver. Store these screws safely to avoid losing them. After removing the handles then the next step would be to take off the spindle. You can do this by pounding the ends of the spindle with an hammer until removed from its place within the door. The new handle can be fitted by simply putting the spindle through the hole on the interior handle and then inserting the other end of the spindle through the hole in the exterior handle. Once the handle has been installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws and then check to ensure that the lock and unlock mechanism is working correctly. Faulty Weatherstripping A cracked or worn weatherstripping could allow air and water to get through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to allowing moisture, it can also create drafts and increase your cooling or heating costs. It's simple to replace defective weatherstripping with no professional help. First, you need to remove the old stripping by loosing its staples with an screwdriver or pinning it with a putty knife and then pulling it off the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping, which is backed by a foam seal to prevent leaks and enhance comfort. If your sliding patio door isn't working as it should, you need to address the issue immediately to avoid further damage and to keep them functional for many years to be. Depending on the severity of the problem is and the severity of the issue, a DIY solution or a repair/replacement by a professional may be the best choice. The majority of sliding patio door issues are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, or a loose handle. In most instances these issues can be resolved with regular maintenance and cleaning, which includes fluidizing the track, adjusting the rollers and tightening hardware. If these steps don't work, it's best to seek advice from a professional to ensure that your patio door is working exactly as it should. Review the warranty information before you decide to repair or replace your patio door. This will save you money on repairs or replacements in the future.