Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement
Sliding patio door are a great addition for any home. They're simple to operate and offer a wide-open view. Like all doors in the home, they're prone to wear and tear, which requires repair or replacement.
Keep your sliding patio doors in good order by cleaning and lubricating them regularly. Lubricating them using graphite or silicon spray will let them slide smoothly and prolong their lifespan.
Roller Replacement
If your sliding patio door isn't rolling easily, you may need to lubricate it. If the rollers are worn or damaged, they should be replaced. Replacing your patio door's rollers will enable your doors to run smoothly and reduce the amount of force required to open or close them.
If your patio door was manufactured before 2000, you may require removing the bottom part of the frame to access the rollers. If this is the scenario then use a mallet made of rubber and wood block to tap the door loose and then take it off. Make sure you save the roller screws to use when reinstalling your new rollers.
Sliding glass doors are a key security factor in many homes, and should be properly protected. Roller wheels that are damaged or worn out can make the door difficult to push open or closed and can create gaps around the door that burglars can exploit. Replacing your patio door rollers ensures that your home is well-protected from unwanted visitors.
After removing the bottom and top rails, it is a good idea to wipe down all parts of the track with an alcohol-soaked cloth. This will get rid of any dirt and make the task of taking the doors off the tracks much simpler. The drainage holes in the bottom track should be visible, but they are often clogged by dirt. If your track seems to be prone to collecting a lot of dirt, you may be interested in installing an u-shaped stainless steel piece that snaps over the track and creates an additional channel for water to flow through. These are available from CR Laurence, as well as other retailers that specialize in sliding door parts.
When you are reinstalling the doors, be sure to put the bottom panel in first before putting the top in place. You should be able test the doors once they are back in their original position to make sure that they move smoothly and don't require a lot of force to open or close. If they still feel rough, you can adjust the new rollers to give them more clearance.
Weather Strip Replacement
The weather strip of your sliding door's seals slowly wear away opening up drafts and moisture, which can increase your energy bills. Replacing them is an easy project that takes only some minutes and will pay for itself in reduced heating costs in no time.
There are a myriad of materials available for sliding door weather stripping, each with its advantages and disadvantages. You'll want to choose the right material that can stand up to friction, weather changes as well as extreme temperatures and foot traffic, without affecting the operation of the door. Foam and felt, for instance aren't expensive but are prone to weather and visible inside the frame while vinyl is more expensive but will last for a long time while metals are strong however they may not look in the frame of a modern home; and plastic or rubber will degrade over time and require regular replacement.
To install new weather stripping, you must first remove the door from its casing. To do this, look for the headstop at the top of the door - typically a small piece of metal or plastic held in place by screws. Remove the screw caps and then use a screwdriver that is flat to remove the headstop from the bottom of the door. Remove the weather stripping and any debris left behind using scraper or a putty knife.
You'll need a good amount of force to pull the door off of its frame, so don't try to do it with only one person. It is better to have a partner keep the door in place while you take it out of its frame.
Locate the channels that hold your weather stripping. They should be covered by plugs that match the colour of your doors. Pull the weatherstripping up to separate it from the channel. Remove the plugs.
Fin Seal is the most effective type of weather stripping that is suitable for sliding patio doors. This type of weather seal is made with Mylar that is centered within the brush material. It is very robust. patio doors repairs near me is suitable for almost all climates, and can be able to withstand the pressure of walking. The back of the stripping is composed of a flexible, tough material that can withstand the rigors a sliding patio door.
Door Alignment
Patio doors that slide open are a fantastic feature for any home, but just like other things, they will benefit from an occasional adjustment to ensure they function at their best. As time passes, sliding patio doors can be worn out or out of alignment. This can cause issues like bumping against frames, or not locking properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments can help prevent these issues, saving you money and time.
One of the main reasons for sliding door misalignment is the damage to rollers or tracks from unexpected jolts, or excessive force. This issue can be resolved quickly using the right tools. Your patio door will continue to glide smoothly for a long time.
Misalignment can also be caused by changes in temperature and humidity or weatherstripping wear, as well as inadequate installation. The latter can lead to parts moving and loosening over time which causes the door to move, but not latch or close properly. These changes over time could cause air drafts and even water leakage into the house.
To avoid problems like this, it is important to clean and lubricate your sliding patio door track. A small amount of spray lubricant can easily be purchased at any hardware store, and applying it often with a small amount of brush will keep the track running smoothly.
Another reason for misalignment of sliding patio doors is that the latch hook is not aligned with the strike plate on jamb. To correct this, first open the door to expose the latch mechanism and give you full access to it. Then, locate the adjusting screw that controls the latch hook, and gently turn it in either direction to adjust the length of the hook. A properly adjusted latch will ensure that it will engage and hit the strike plate without resistance or obstruction.
Test your door after you've made the necessary adjustments to ensure it locks and slides correctly. If there are any issues, continue the process until your sliding patio door is fully functioning. By following these easy steps you can save yourself a lot of money by not having to hire experts to make costly repairs.
Frame Replacement
Over time, the screws on sliding doors' frames may loosen and allow the frame to move slightly. By regularly tightening and checking these screws, you will be able to stop your doors from becoming stuck or jammed. A sagging screen door can be fixed with a some clamping, but hinges that are loose could require replacing it.
It is possible to replace a sliding patio without having to replace the frame, but you must first assess the condition of your current frame. This approach is more cost-effective than a complete replacement of the frame and can help address specific requirements like improved insulation or a fresh look.
A complete frame replacement is the complete removal of the old hinged doors, window and frame from the wall opening. This allows an entirely new sliding patio be constructed, and will allow more flexibility in terms of style size, dimensions and materials.
Sliding glass doors are designed to offer a stunning view from your backyard. However, they do show signs of wear as time passes. If your sliding glass doors are difficult to open or stuck, you may have to replace the track or wheels. If the frame is in good condition replacing the doors may be sufficient.
Be sure that your work area is clear of obstructions and that you have laid down a dropcloth. The next step is to lay the sliding door on a flat work surface and remove any removable grilles or shades from the frame. Then you can use a screwdriver to remove the plugs that are covering the roller adjustment screws at the bottom of the frame (they're usually covered with caps). Once these screws are removed then you can unlatch and pull the bottom of the door away from the track.
Once the frame is exposed, you can replace the track and the sliding door wheels. If your sliding door track is damaged or worn out it is best to replace it entirely rather than fixing an existing track. You can purchase a kit to do an DIY project, or you can have an expert do it for you. In either case, follow the instructions of the manufacturer for proper installation.