Patio Doors Repairs: What's New? No One Is Discussing
Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding patio doors will bring sunlight into your home, and will increase the efficiency of your home's energy usage. However, with time, they may begin to show signs of wear and tear that will require some maintenance. Luckily, most of the issues with sliding patio doors are fairly simple to address. Find out more about how to keep your patio doors looking and working like new:. Tracks that are damaged or dirty The tracks of your sliding patio door may be filthy or blocked. Over time, the grit and grime of everyday use accumulates on the track and can cause the door to jam or even fall apart completely. Regularly cleaning sliding doors and their tracks in your household chores can help reduce the build-up. Begin by brushing or vacuuming any big debris from the tracks, and then wipe them clean with warm water and a non-abrasive cleaning product like dish soap. A little vinegar added to your cleaning solution may help in removing stubborn grease and dirt stains. If you notice that your sliding door still won't move smoothly after completing these steps, it may be a sign of more serious 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 upvc patio door repairs under your sliding doors. This will assist in catch dirt before it gets to the tracks. Also, you should cut back any bushes or plants close to your sliding doors in order to minimize the amount of debris that gets tracked into the tracks. Make sure to close the door properly so it doesn't crash into the tracks and damage the rollers and wheels. You can extend the life of your doors by keeping them clean and well-lubricated. Rollers that are not aligned Sometimes, a patio may become out of alignment. This is usually due to dirt, or other obstructions which can be easily removed. Sometimes it's due a bent roller or track. In this situation, you can realign the rollers by removing them using the adjustment screws, and then cleaning with rubbing alcohol. Be careful when working with these parts, as they are fragile. If your doors are still stuck, you can apply lubrication to the rollers. This will lessen friction and allow them to move more easily. It is best to make use of a silicone-based lubricant since petroleum-based ones tend to draw dirt more quickly. It is also essential to clean the tracks and rollers prior to applying lubricant. After cleaning the rollers you can put them back on using the adjustment screws. It's recommended to apply the same lubricant that you used when cleaning them. When you are reinstalling the rollers be sure to push them all the way into their channels. You can then test your door to determine whether it is now sliding smoothly. If the issue persists, it is possible to remove the door and inspect the rollers and tracks. If the wheels or tracks are bent badly it could be necessary to replace them. In such a scenario it's a good idea to contact an expert to install the tracks. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are ideal to bring in the outdoors and natural sunlight into a space, but they are also susceptible to damages that require repair or replacement. Cracks, warping, and fading are some of the most frequent issues. Warping occurs when the components that make up your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade due to exposure to sun, heat and other environmental elements. Cracks are usually caused by impact damage such as a lawnmower or ball smacking into the door. Fading usually occurs because of repeated exposure to sunlight as well as other elements. If you have sliding glass patio doors that aren't easy to open and close it could be a sign that the rollers and tracks aren't working properly. This issue could be caused by the accumulation of dirt, rust, or debris on the track or wheels or due to a lack of or lubrication. Cleaning the rollers and tracks clearing obstructions and applying silicone spray may help resolve this problem. Another reason your sliding patio doors may be difficult to open or close is that the locking mechanism has become faulty. It could be caused by misalignment, wear and tear or an amalgamation of both. To fix this, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws located at the bottom. Drafts or air leaks that surround your sliding patio door are a common issue that can decrease their energy efficiency. These problems are usually caused by worn-out weather stripping or poor alignment of the door. This issue can be fixed easily by replacing the weather stripping and realigning your doors. Loose Handle It can be a hassle when the handle of the sliding door is loose. It makes it difficult to open the door. This problem is usually caused by an incorrectly aligned locking mechanism which can be fixed by loosening the screws that secure it and tightening them until they fit against the door jamb. Another reason for a handle to become loose is that it has become detached from the spindle that connects it to the handles' exterior and interior. This usually happens as a result of a combination of factors, such as excessive use wear and tear or simply aging. If the problem is not treated promptly, it could eventually lead to the entire handle becoming loose and eventually falling off completely. To resolve this issue, you should first identify the screws that join the handles' exterior and interior. The screws are typically hidden behind plastic tabs which can be removed using a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver, in some instances) screwdriver. Keep these screws in a safe place to prevent them from being lost. After removing the old handles the next step will be to take off the spindle. This can be done by tapping the end of the spindle with a hammer until it is freed from its position within the door. The new handle can be fitted by simply placing the spindle through the hole in the interior handle, and then putting the other end of the spindle through the hole in the exterior handle. After the handle is installed then tighten it by screwing back the screws and then test to make sure the lock and unlock mechanism is working properly. Afflicted Weatherstripping Weatherstripping that is damaged or cracked can allow water and air to seep into your patio door, compromising your home's comfort and energy efficiency. In addition to letting in moisture, it can also cause drafts and increase your cooling or heating costs. It's easy to replace faulty weatherstripping, even without the assistance of a professional. First, you must remove the old stripping by loosening its staples with an screwdriver or pinning it with a putty knife and then pulling it away from the door. Clean the area and apply a layer of weatherstripping which is secured with a foam seal. This will stop leaks and improve the comfort. If your sliding patio doors aren't working as they should, it's essential to take action immediately to prevent further damage and to keep them functional for a long time to come. Depending on how serious the issue is and the severity of the issue, it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement could be the best option. The most frequent issues that arise that are encountered with sliding patio doors are filthy rollers caused by debris on the tracks, misaligned wheels and a loose handle. These issues can be addressed through regular cleaning and maintenance like changing the track's lubricant and adjust and tightening the hardware. If these solutions don't work, you should seek out professional help to make sure that your patio is operating as it should. Before you decide to replace or repair your patio door, be sure to verify the warranty information to confirm that it is covered by the manufacturer's warranty. This will save you money on repairs or replacements in the future.