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Sliding Patio Doors Repairs Your sliding glass patio doors help bring natural light and improve your home's energy efficiency. In time, they might begin to show signs that require some attention. The majority of problems with sliding patio doors are fairly easy to fix. Learn more about how you can keep your patio doors looking and operating like new:. Dirty or damaged Tracks The tracks of your sliding patio door could be dirty or clogged. Over time, dirt and grime from everyday usage can accumulate on the track. This can cause the jam to break or break completely. The buildup can be slowed by regular light cleaning of tracks and sliding doors in your routine chores. Begin by cleaning any large debris from the tracks and then wipe them clean using warm water and a non-abrasive cleaning product like dish soap. Vinegar can be added to your cleaning solution to help get rid of stubborn grease and dirt stains. If your sliding door not working smoothly after you've completed these steps, it could be a sign there is a more significant damage. This may require a professional to fix or replace the door. There are a few basic solutions you can try before calling in professionals to avoid costly repairs or replacements. It is essential to put a doormat near the bottom of your sliding doors to keep dirt out before it has the chance to reach the tracks. Make sure to trim the plants and bushes that are in close proximity to the sliding door to decrease the amount of debris that is tracked into the tracks. Close the door properly to prevent damage to the rollers and wheels. By keeping your doors clean and lubricated you will extend their life substantially. Misaligned Rollers Sometimes, a patio can become misaligned. This usually happens due to dirt or other obstructions which can be easily removed. Sometimes, it's due to bent tracks or a bent roller. In the latter scenario it is possible to straighten the roller by extracting them using their adjustment screws and then cleaning them with rubbing alcohol. These parts are often fragile. If your doors are stuck, you can grease the rollers. This will reduce friction and allow them to move more easily. It is best to make use of a silicone-based lubricant as petroleum-based ones can attract dirt faster. It is important to clean the tracks and rollers prior to lubricating. After cleaning the rollers you can put them back on using their adjustment screws. Use the same lubricant that you used to clean them. When you reinstall the rollers, be sure to push them completely into their channels. You can test the door and see if it slides smoothly. If the issue persists, it is possible to take the door off and examine the rollers and tracks. If the wheels or tracks are bent badly, you may need to replace them. It's best to hire a professional to install the rollers or tracks in this situation. Warped Glass Sliding glass doors are convenient for bringing in the outdoors and natural sunlight into a room, but they can also be vulnerable to damage that requires repair or replacement. Some of the most common problems that arise are warping, cracking and fade. Warping happens when the materials which make up your sliding glass patio door begin to degrade due to heat, sun and other environmental factors. Cracking often results from the impact of a collision, for example from a ball or lawn mower run-in, whereas fading typically occurs due to repeated contact with sunlight and other elements of nature. If you have sliding glass patio doors that are hard to open and close, this could indicate that the tracks and rollers are not functioning correctly. This issue could be caused by accumulated dirt or rust on the track or wheels or due to a lack of or lubrication. Cleaning the tracks and rollers, removing obstructions and applying silicone spray can help solve this issue. Another reason that 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 a combination of both. To fix this issue, simply adjust the locking mechanism by turning the adjustable screws at the bottom. Drafts or air leaks around your sliding patio doors are a frequent issue that can greatly reduce their energy efficiency. They typically originate from damaged weather stripping and poor door alignment, which is easily fixed by replacing the old weather stripping and aligning the doors. Loose Handle If the handle of a sliding doors becomes loose, it could be quite annoying and make it difficult for people to open the door. killer deal is caused by a misaligned lock mechanism. It can be repaired by tightening and loosening the screws holding it in the correct position. A loose handle could be caused by the handle becoming detached from the spindle which connects it to the inside or handles outside. This is usually the result of a mix of factors, including over use or wear and tear or simply the general aging. If the problem isn't resolved quickly, the handle can be loosened and fall off. The best way to fix this issue is by first locating the screws that attach the handles' exterior and interior. They are typically hidden behind plastic tabs that can be removed with a flathead (or a Phillips head screwdriver in some cases) screwdriver. Securely store these screws to ensure they don't get lost. Once the handles that were previously used have been removed, the next step is to remove the spindle that has become loose. This can be accomplished by tapping the spindle with a mallet or hammer until it comes loose from its place within the door. The new handle is then fitted by putting the spindle in the hole for the handle inside and the other end through the hole in the handle on the outside. After the handle is installed, tighten it by screwing back the screws and then test to ensure the lock and unlock mechanism works correctly. Unusual Weatherstripping A worn or cracked weatherstripping can let water and air seep through your patio doors, compromising the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. In addition to letting in moisture, it can create drafts and also increase your heating or cooling costs. It's easy to replace faulty weatherstripping with no professional help. You can take off the old weatherstripping by loosing the staples with a screwdriver, or gently squeezing it with a putty knife and taking it off the door. Then, you can wash the area and apply a new layer of weatherstripping. This is backed by a foam seal to prevent leaks and enhance the comfort. If your sliding patio doors aren't operating as they should, it's important to fix the issue as soon as possible to avoid further damage and keep them functional for years to come. Depending on the severity of the problem is the best option is it's possible to choose a DIY solution or a professional repair/replacement could be the best option. The most common issues with sliding patio doors include dirty rollers from debris in the tracks, wheels that are not aligned and a loose handle. These issues can be addressed by regular maintenance and cleaning, such as lubricating and adjusting the track and tightening the hardware. However, if these measures don't work, it's best consult a professional for advice to make sure that your patio door is operating exactly as it should. Check the warranty information before you decide to repair or replace your patio door. This will save you money in the long run on repairs and replacements.