Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will let sunlight into your home, and will increase the efficiency of your home's energy usage. In time, they might begin to show signs that require some maintenance. Luckily, most of the problems with sliding patio doors are easy to fix. Find out more about how to keep your patio doors looking and operating like new:. Dirty or damaged tracks The tracks of your sliding patio door may be dirty or clogged. Over time, the dust and grime of everyday use build up on the track and can cause the door to jam or even break down completely. This buildup can be minimized by including regular light cleanings of sliding doors and tracks in your routine chores. Start by brushing or vacuuming large pieces of debris off the tracks. Then make use of warm water and non-abrasive cleaning products such as dish soap to wipe them down. Adding a bit of vinegar to your cleaning solution may also aid in the removal of stubborn grease and dirt stains. If your sliding door doesn't move smoothly after following these steps, it could be the sign of more severe damage that requires a professional repair or replacement. There are a few easy fixes you can do before calling in professionals to avoid expensive repairs or replacements. Place a doormat under your sliding doors. This will help catch dirt before it gets to the tracks. It is also important to trim any plants or bushes close to your sliding doors in order to limit the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Make sure to close the door properly so it doesn't slam into the tracks and cause damage to the rollers and wheels. You can extend the life of your doors by keeping them clean and lubricated. Misaligned Rollers Sometimes, a sliding patio may become out of alignment. This is usually due to dirt, or other obstructions that can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due to bent track or a bent roller. In this situation, you can realign the rollers by removing them using the adjustment screws and cleaning with ruby alcohol. Be careful because these parts can be delicate. If your doors are stuck, you can grease the rollers. This will decrease friction and allow them to slide more easily. Make use of a silicone-based product as petroleum-based lubricants can attract dirt more quickly. It is also essential to clean the tracks and rollers before applying lubricant. After cleaning the rollers, you can reinstall using their adjustment screws. It is recommended to apply the same lubricant that you used for cleaning them. When you are reinstalling the rollers make sure you push them all the way into their channels. You can then test your door to determine whether it is now sliding effortlessly. If the problem continues, it may be necessary to remove the door and examine the rollers and tracks. If the tracks or wheels are bent badly, you may need to replace them. In such a case it's best to call in an expert for the installation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are ideal to bring in the outdoors and natural sunlight into a room, but they are also susceptible to damages that require repair or replacement. Cracking, warping and fading are a few of the most common problems. The materials used to make the sliding glass patio doors start to deteriorate when exposed to heat, sunlight and other environmental elements. Cracking is often caused by the impact of a lawnmower or ball smacking into the door. Fading typically occurs because of repeated exposure to sunlight and other elements. If your sliding patio doors aren't easy to close or open it could indicate that the tracks and rollers are not functioning correctly. This problem may be caused by accumulated dirt or rust in the track or wheels or a lack or lubrication. Cleaning the tracks and rollers by removing obstructions, and then applying silicone spray can help solve this issue. Another reason why your sliding patio doors are difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism has gone out of date. 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 hidden adjustment screws located at the bottom. Drafts or air leaks that surround your sliding patio door are a frequent problem that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy usage. They usually result from damaged weather stripping or poor door alignment that can be easily fixed by replacing the old weather stripping and realigning the doors. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/southend-patio-door-repairs-near-me/ If the handle of a sliding doors is loose, it can be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. This is due to an improperly aligned lock mechanism. It can be fixed by loosing and tightening the screws holding it in the correct position. A loose handle can also be caused by the handle becoming detached from the spindle that connects it to the inside or handles outside. This is usually the result of a variety of factors, including over use wear and tear or just general ageing. If the issue isn't addressed quickly, the handle may be loosened and fall off. The best way to fix this issue is to start by finding the screws that join the handles' exterior and interior. The screws are typically hidden behind tabs of plastic that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver, in some instances) screwdriver. Securely store these screws to prevent them from being lost. After removing the handles the next step will be to remove the spindle. You can do this by pounding the end of the spindle with an hammer until removed from its position inside the door. The new handle can be put in place by simply putting the spindle through the hole in the interior handle and then placing the other end of the spindle into the hole in the outside handle. Once the handle is in place it can be tightened by screwing the screws back into place and then examining to confirm that the locking and unlock mechanisms function correctly. Faulty weatherstripping Weatherstripping that is cracked or worn can let air and water seep into your patio door, which can compromise your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to allowing water, it can create drafts and also increase your heating or cooling costs. It is good news that replacing damaged weatherstripping is an easy repair that doesn't require professional help. First, you need to take off the old stripping by either loosing its staples using an screwdriver or pinning it gently using a putty knife and then taking it away from the door. Clean the area and apply an additional layer of weatherstripping that is backed with a foam seal. This will prevent leaks and improve the comfort. If your sliding patio door is not functioning as it should, you have to address the issue immediately to avoid further damage and to keep them functioning for years to come. Depending on how severe the issue is, it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement might be the best choice. Most problems with sliding patio doors are caused by dirty rollers, misaligned tracks, or a loose handle. In most instances, these issues can be fixed by regular maintenance and cleaning, including fluidizing the track as well as adjusting the rollers and tightening the hardware. If these measures are not working it is recommended that you seek advice from a professional to make sure that your patio is functioning exactly as it should. Review the warranty information before you decide to repair or replace your patio door. This will save you money in the future for repairs and replacements.