Patio Doors Repair - How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors are a great way to connect your home with the outdoors. They offer a relaxing and convenient transition. They also help save money on cooling and heating costs by keeping the air inside your home. But with time your sliding glass or French doors can lose their appeal. Simple repairs can keep your French or sliding glass doors looking and functioning like new. Weatherstripping You're walking your dog to the park at 5 AM, and you end up into a puddle that is right next to your sliding patio door. You look around and see that last night's rain blew in through the patio door seals. This isn't going to be an easy project. But with a little patience and a few tools to fix this, you can get it fixed and keep your dog safe from cold, wet feet as well. The most important thing is to replace the weatherstripping, which closes the gap between the door and jamb, keeping out moisture, pests, and drafts. This will also keep your energy bills down. A quick inspection of your windows or doors will tell you if the weatherstripping is in good shape or needs replacement. There are a variety of weatherstripping that are available, including felt, open-cell foam, thermoplastic rubber, as well as metals such as bronze or copper. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Foam and open-cell foam are inexpensive, but they also tend to be noticeable and ineffective at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive but it's durable and resistant to moisture. Rubber is a great material for areas that are heavily used since it won't deteriorate as easily. To install new weatherstripping, first remove the patio door from the frame by loosening the roller adjustment screws using a screwdriver. Then using a flathead screwdriver loosen the screws that hold the weatherstripping in place at the bottom of the frame. Remove the old weatherstripping from the frame and remove any adhesive residue. Then, cut the replacement to the proper length, peel back the plastic strip at one side and then apply it to the jamb with the putty knife. When you're done, reinstall the door and readjust the roller screws to ensure that the door sits in the track and shuts correctly. Apply caulk that is waterproof where the stationary panel is positioned to block sliding doors and at the point where the edge of the panel joins the frame. This is not as secure a seal than the weatherstripping but it should work for a while. Locks and handles Patio door handles and locks are essential to ensure the security of your home. Over time, they may become worn or damaged and require replacement. The spindle connecting the interior and exterior handles could also need to be changed. To replace a handle on a patio door, remove the previous one first by taking off any screws that hold it in the place. After you have removed the old handle, use a level and make sure that the door is straight. If the door isn't straight it could cause problems with the lock and cause issues in the future. Close and open the handle a few times after installing it to ensure that it's functioning properly. If you experience any issues you are having trouble, contact the manufacturer or a professional in the field for assistance. To prevent future problems it is recommended to also lubricate the lock mechanism using lubricant made of silicone. The most commonly used type of patio door lock is a mortise latch. It is usually made of steel and fits in a pocket cut into the door frame. These locks are found on wood and aluminum sliding doors. Before you purchase a new mortise lock, it is essential to measure. It is essential to know the location of the mounting holes and the location in the keyway lock. Some patio door handles are equipped with a locking mechanism built into the handle. These handles come with an elongated key cylinder that can be inserted into the handle's keyway. This kind of patio door has both the exterior and inside locks in one piece. This kind of patio door is often found on sliding aluminum doors. If your patio door latch isn't staying latched it could be because the lock tongue isn't catching the jamb's hasp correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door isn't fully parallel to the jamb's side. You can open the door for by about an inch, then place it against the frame. This will reveal the gap between the door jamb and the door. If there is a gap, you can adjust the rollers to the bottom left or the right side of the patio to make it perfectly parallel with jamb. Misalignment Over time, the door's tracks and rollers will lose their proper alignment. This could cause the door to sag or become difficult to move. It can also allow cold air and draughts infiltrate your home, which could reduce energy efficiency. Fortunately, misalignment is simple to fix and avoid. Applying a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers and tracks will make your doors glide smoothly once more. This is a great idea for those who want to ensure that your doors are operating at their best. Another common issue with patio doors is a ripped screen, which is a nuisance or even a security risk. It may also hinder the doors from closing and opening correctly, which can result in energy loss. In some instances the damaged screen can be repaired, however, in some cases it's necessary to replace the entire door. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/patio-door-repairs-crawley/ experiencing a tear in your screen, make sure you clean it thoroughly and try not to turn the handles of the door in the wrong way when you open and close the door. Over time, hinges will loosen due to normal wear and tear or heavy usage. This can be fixed by tightening screws frequently. This is a simple job which you can perform yourself, but if not comfortable doing it, you should consult a professional to ensure your doors are securely aligned and secure. It is also recommended to clean the rollers and tracks of your patio doors regularly. A simple vacuuming or brushing can remove dirt and dust that might interfere with the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can utilize a special tool for stubborn dirt or rust. It is possible to fix misalignment by tightening or inspecting the screws. However, sometimes it is necessary to replace the hinges in order to ensure a durable seal. The performance and alignment of your patio doors can be affected when the frames are warped or sliding. Shifting or warping can occur due to changes in the foundation of your home, but could also be caused by poor installation or due to frequent use. A professional can repair or replace the frame of your patio door, and ensure that it is properly aligned. This will allow it perform at its best. Rollers The sliding patio doors are ideal for bringing the outdoors in and let in plenty of light, but they need some care to ensure they are moving smoothly. If you notice that you need to really yank on the handle to get your door to move, or if it isn't as easy to slide as it used to, the culprit may be the rollers. Over time the lower track may be clogged with dirt, dust, and mud. This makes it difficult for rollers to move. Clean it and spray it with a lubricant like 2Slick to determine if it helps. If the tracks have been cleaned, but the rollers are still not gliding freely, then it is time to replace them. Replacement rollers are available for your door and track. They can be found at most hardware stores, but you'll require a companion to assist with the removal and installation of the rollers. Take a photo of the roller assembly installed in the frame to help the experts identify the exact type and model you need. You can also look for distinctive characteristics like bumps, dimples, flared edges and cut-outs which can narrow down alternatives for replacement. Once the rollers are replaced, you'll need to reinstall your sliding door into its frame. Get help with this one as the door is quite heavy. Examine if there are screws that hold the track to either side of the frame. If there are you must ensure that they are loose enough to allow the bottom of door to drop into the channel above the frame. If there is a screen door, take it from the opening and make sure it's free of track and rollers. After installing the new rollers, gently slide the door in the frame. Then, you can gently lower it to make sure it is secure. If your rollers are adjustable, you can adjust them to ensure that the door is able to be opened.