How To Outsmart Your Boss On Sliding Patio Door Repair

Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement Sliding patio doors are a wonderful addition to any home. They are easy to operate and provide an expansive view. Like any other household door they're susceptible to wear and tear, which requires replacement or repair. Regularly clean and lubricate your sliding patio doors to keep them in good working order. Lubricating them with graphite or silicon spray will let them slide smoothly and extend their usage. Roller Replacement If you notice that your sliding patio door isn't moving easily, it may simply require lubrication. If the rollers are damaged or worn out it is necessary to replace them. Replacing your patio door's rollers will allow your doors to run smoothly and reduce the amount of force needed to open or close them. If your patio door was manufactured before 2000, you may require removing the bottom portion of the frame to gain access to the rollers. If this is the case you can use a mallet made of rubber and a wood block to tap the door loose and then pull it off. Be sure to save the roller screws to use when reinstalling your new rollers. patio door repairs sliding doors are a key security factor in many homes and should be properly protected. In addition to making it difficult to open and close your door, old or damaged roller wheels can cause gaps that can be exploited by burglars. By replacing your patio door rollers you can ensure that your home is safe from unwanted visitors. After taking off the bottom and top rails it is a great idea to clean the entire length of the track with an alcohol soaked cloth. This will eliminate any grime and make it easier to remove the doors from the track. The drainage holes in the bottom track should be clearly visible however they are often blocked by dirt. If you discover that your track is prone to collecting dirt, think about installing a stainless-steel u-shaped part that snaps over the track to create an additional channel to allow water flow. They are available from CR Laurence, as well as other stores that specialize in sliding door parts. Make sure to install the first panel, and then the top panel. You should be able to test the doors after they have returned to their original position to ensure that they move smoothly and don't require any excessive force to open or shut. If you feel that the doors are rough you can adjust the rollers to allow for more clearance. Weather Stripping Replacement The weather strip seals your sliding doors slowly become worn, permitting drafts and moisture to enter. This increases the cost of energy. Replacing them is an easy project that takes only some minutes and will pay for itself in reduced heating costs in no time. Weather stripping for sliding doors is available in a range of materials, each having its own advantages and drawbacks. It is important to select a material that will be able to withstand friction and weather changes, temperature extremes and foot traffic, without interfering with the door's operation. Foam and felt are affordable, but susceptible to weather, and are visible in the frame. Vinyl is more costly, but lasts for a long time. Metals are durable however they might not look right in the modern home. Rubber or plastic can wear away over time and require frequent replacement. To install new weather stripping, first take the door out of its casing. Locate the headstop on the top of the door typically a small piece of plastic or metal that is secured by screws. Take off the screws, then use a screwdriver with a flat head to pull the headstop free from the door's bottom. Remove the old weatherstripping as well as any remaining residue using a putty blade or scraper. Do not try to pull the door off its track by yourself. You will need to apply plenty of force. It is better to have a partner keep the door in place while you take it off its frame. When the doors are shut, locate the channels that hold the weather stripping. Plugs that are in line with the color of your doors are best placed in these channels. Take the plugs off, then pull up on the weather stripping to separate it from its channel. Fin Seal is the most effective type of weather stripping for sliding patio doors. This type of weather stripping features a Mylar fin centered in the pile (brush material) and is extremely robust, suitable for almost all climates, and is able to stand up well to foot traffic. The back of the weather stripping is constructed from a tough, flexible material to better resist the rigors of a sliding patio door. Door Alignment Patio doors that slide open are a great feature for any home, but just like anything else, they can benefit from an occasional adjustment to make sure they are working at their best. Over time, the components of these doors will wear out or get out of alignment, resulting in issues such as sticking, bumping into frames or not locking properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments will keep these issues from happening and save you time and money. The most frequent cause of sliding door misalignment is damage to the rollers or tracks caused by sudden jolts or excessive force. A quick repair with the right tools can resolve this problem, keeping your patio door in good shape for a long time to come. Other causes for misalignment include fluctuations in temperature or humidity or weatherstripping wear and tear, and poor installation. This can lead to parts shifting and becoming loose over time and causing the door to move, but not latch or close properly. These changes over time could cause air drafts and even water leakage into your home. It is essential to clean and lubricate the sliding patio door track on a regular basis in order to prevent these issues. A small amount of spray-lubricant can easily be bought at any hardware retailer, and applying it regularly with a small brush can help keep the track running smooth. Another reason for sliding patio door misalignment is the latch hook not synchronizing with the strike plate that is on the jamb. To fix this, open the door and reveal the latch mechanism. This allows you to view it and have full access. Locate the adjusting screw for this latch hook and gently rotate it either way to adjust its length. A properly adjusted latch will ensure that it is engaged and strikes the strike plate without resistance or hindrance. Check your door after having made the necessary adjustments to ensure it locks and slides correctly. If there are any issues, you can repeat the procedure until your sliding patio door is functioning properly. With these simple steps you will save yourself a lot of money by not having to hire professionals to carry out costly repairs. Frame Replacement Over time, screws on sliding door frames may loosen. This allows the frame to move a small amount. By regularly checking and tightening these screws will prevent your doors from sticking or becoming stuck. A sagging screen can be fixed by a little clamping. However hinges that are loose may require replacement. Replacing a sliding patio door without replacing the frame is possible but requires careful evaluation of the condition of the current frame. This option is less expensive than a complete frame replacement and can help address specific needs such as improved insulation or a new design. A complete frame replacement is the complete removal of the old hinged doors, window and frame from the wall opening. This allows a new sliding patio to be installed, and it can offer more flexibility in terms size, dimensions and materials. Sliding glass doors are made to provide a beautiful view of your backyard. However, they can show signs of wear as time passes. If your sliding doors are sluggish or difficult to open, you may require replacing the wheels or track. If the frame is in good shape, it may suffice to replace the doors. Before you begin, make sure your work space is free of obstructions. Also, lay down a drop cloth. The next step is to lay the sliding door on a flat surface and remove any grilles or shades from the frame. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the plugs that are covering the screws that adjust the rollers at the bottom of the frame (they're usually covered with caps). Once you've removed the plugs, you can loosen the bottom of the sliding door and remove it from the track. Once the frame has been exposed and the frame is exposed, you can replace the track and the sliding door wheels. If your track for sliding doors has deteriorated or is damaged and needs to be replaced, it is best to replace it rather than repair it. You can purchase a kit to do an DIY project or let a professional do it for you. In either case, you must follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure the proper installation.