Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will bring in natural light to your home and increase its energy efficiency. Over time, they may start to show signs that suggest some attention. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/patio-door-repairs-london/ of sliding patio door issues are fairly simple to fix. Find out how to keep your sliding patio doors looking like new. Dirty or damaged tracks One of the most frequent causes of sliding patio doors that won't open is dirty or clogged tracks. Over time, the dust and grime of daily use accumulates on the track and can cause the door to jam or even fall apart completely. A regular cleaning of sliding doors and tracks in your chores at home can help minimize this accumulation. Begin by cleaning large debris off the tracks. Then apply warm water and non-abrasive cleansing products such as dish soap to clean them. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help remove stubborn grease and dirt staining. If your sliding door not working smoothly after you've completed these steps, this could be a sign that there is more damage. This could require a professional to repair or replace the door. But, there are simple fixes that you can try before calling in the experts to save on costly repairs or replacements. Install a doormat underneath your sliding doors. This will help keep dirt out of the tracks. It is also important to trim any plants or bushes close to your sliding doors in order to minimize the amount of debris tracked into 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 will extend their life substantially. Rollers that are misaligned Sometimes the sliding patio door becomes out of alignment or becomes stuck. Most often, this is due to obstructions or dirt that can be easily fixed. Sometimes, it's due to bent track or a bent roller. In the latter case, you may be able to re-align the roller by taking them out with their adjustment screws and then cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. These parts can be fragile. If your doors still stick then you could try using lubricants on the rollers to reduce friction and make it easier for them to slide. Use a silicone-based product, because petroleum-based lubricants may attract dirt more quickly. It is crucial to clean the tracks and rollers prior to lubricating. After cleaning the rollers, you can reinstall using their adjustment screws. It's recommended to make use of the same lubricant as you used to clean them. Make sure to push the rollers completely into their channels before reinstalling them. You can now test your door and see if it glides smoothly. If the issue persists, it could be necessary to take the door off and inspect the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or wheels are bent in a way, you may need to replace them. It is recommended to hire an expert to install the rollers or tracks in this scenario. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are great for bringing in natural light and the outdoors into a room, but they can also be vulnerable to damages that require repair or replacement. Some of the most common problems that occur include cracking, warping and fading. The materials that compose the sliding glass patio doors begin to break down when exposed sunlight, heat and other environmental factors. Cracks are usually caused by impacts, such as the impact of a lawnmowers blade or ball that is smashed into the door. Fading is usually because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements. If your sliding patio doors aren't easy to open or close it could indicate that their rollers and tracks are not functioning correctly. This issue could be caused by accumulation of dirt, rust or debris in the track, or misaligned wheels or the lack of lubrication. Regularly cleaning the rollers and tracks, removing obstructions and applying silicone spray may help solve this issue. The locking mechanism might also be faulty, making it difficult to open or close your sliding patio doors. This could be due to the alignment of the track or wear and tear but a simple fix is to adjust the locking mechanisms by using the adjustment screws located on the bottom of the track. Air leaks or drafts around your sliding patio door are a common issue that can affect their energy efficiency. These problems are usually caused by worn-out weather stripping or poor door alignment. This can be easily resolved by replacing the weather stripping and realigning your doors. Loose Handle It can be quite frustrating when the handle of the sliding door is loose. It makes it difficult to open. The reason for this is an incorrectly aligned lock mechanism. It can be fixed by loosing and tightening the screws holding it in place. Another reason for a loose handle is that it has separated from the spindle that connects it to the handles' exterior and interior. This is usually caused by a variety of factors including excessive use, wear-and-tear, or simply general ageing. If the issue isn't addressed quickly, it could eventually result in the whole handle becoming loose and eventually falling off completely. To solve this issue, you should first find the screws that connect the interior and exterior handles. These screws are usually hidden behind plastic tabs that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in some cases) screwdriver. It's a good idea keep these screws safe to ensure that you don't lose them. After the handles have been removed the next step is to take off the spindle that has become loose. You can do this by tapping the end of the spindle with an hammer until freed from its position within the door. The new handle is installed by inserting the spindle into the handle hole inside and the other end into the hole on the outside of the handle. Once the handle is installed and tightened, screw back the screws, and then test to make sure the lock and unlock mechanism functions correctly. Afflicted Weatherstripping Weatherstripping that's damaged or cracked may allow water and air to get into your patio door, which can compromise your home's comfort and energy efficiency. It can allow moisture in and create drafts that will increase the cost of cooling and heating. The good news is that replacing the weatherstripping is a simple fix that doesn't require any professional assistance. You can remove the old weatherstripping by loosening the staples with an screwdriver, or gently squeezing it with a putty blade and then taking it off the door. Then, you can clean the area and apply a fresh layer of weatherstripping that is backed by a foam seal to ensure that there are no leaks and to increase the comfort. If your sliding patio doors aren't working as they should, it's crucial to fix the issue as soon as possible to avoid further damage and to keep them functional for a long time to come. Depending on the severity of the issue is the best option is a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement could be the best choice. Most sliding patio door problems are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, and an untidy handle. In the majority of cases these issues can be fixed by regular maintenance and cleaning, such as lubricating the track as well as adjusting the rollers and tightening hardware. However, if these measures aren't working, it's best to seek professional advice to make sure that your patio door is working as it should. If you decide to replace or repair your patio door, make sure to check its warranty information to make sure that it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This could save you money on repairs or replacements in the future.