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Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement Sliding patio doors make a fantastic addition to any home. They are easy to operate and provide an expansive view. However, like all doors in the house, they're subject to wear and tear that will require repair or replacement. Make sure you regularly clean and lubricate your sliding patio doors regularly to keep them in good working order. Lubricating them with silicone spray or graphite allows them to slide smoothly, thus prolonging their life span. Roller Replacement If your sliding patio door doesn't move easily, it could need lubrication. However, if the rollers are worn or damaged, they need to be replaced. Replace your patio door rollers to ensure that your doors function smoothly. You will also need less pressure to open or close them. If your patio door was built prior to 2000, you may need to remove the bottom of the frame in order to gain access to the rollers. If this is the case you can use a mallet made of rubber and a block of wood to loosen the frame and then take it off. Be sure to save the screws to reinstall your new rollers. Sliding glass doors are major security features in many homes and need to be secured properly. The worn or damaged rollers can make the door difficult to push open or closed and can create gaps around the door that intruders can take advantage of. Replacing your patio door rollers will ensure that your home is safe from unwanted visitors. After you have removed the rails at the top and bottom, it is recommended 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 easier. You will see drainage holes on the bottom track, but these often get clogged with dirt. If your track appears to be prone to collecting dirt, you may think about installing an stainless steel u-shaped piece that snaps over the track and provides an additional channel for water to flow through. These are available from CR Laurence and other retailers who specialize in sliding door replacement parts. Remember to install the bottom panel first, and then the top panel. When the doors are back in place, you'll be able test they are able to move freely and do not require any force to open or close them. If they still feel rough, you could adjust the new rollers to allow them to move more freely. Weather Strip Replacement Your sliding door's weather strip seals are slowly worn away opening up moisture and drafts that can raise your energy bills. Replacing them is a straightforward task that takes just some minutes and will pay for itself in reduced heating bills in a matter of minutes. There are a myriad of materials for sliding door weather stripping, each having their advantages and disadvantages. You should select the right material that can be able to withstand friction and weather changes temperatures, extreme temperature fluctuations and foot traffic, without affecting the operation of the door. Foam and felt, for instance are not expensive, but they are susceptible to weather and visible within the frame while vinyl is more expensive but lasts for years while metals are strong however they may not look in place in a contemporary home; while plastic or rubber can erode over time and need frequent replacement. To install new weather strips, you must remove the door from the casing. Locate the headstop on the top of the doors – it's usually tiny pieces of plastic or metal that is secured with screws. Take off the screws and then employ a flathead to pull out the headstop from the bottom of your door. Remove the old weatherstripping as well as any residue with the help of a scraper or putty blade. Do not try to pull the door from its track with only one person. You will need to use lots of force. A friend should hold the door as you remove it. Find the channels that are holding your weather stripping. Plugs that match your doors' color are best placed in these channels. Take the plugs off, then pull them up on the weather stripping to separate it from its channel. Fin Seal is the best type of weather stripping that is suitable for sliding patio doors. This kind of weather stripping comes with a Mylar fin that is located in the pile (brush material) and is extremely durable, suitable for nearly all climates, and is able to stand well to foot traffic. The back of the weather stripping is made from a hard, flexible material to better withstand the demands of a sliding patio door. Door Alignment Sliding patio doors are a fantastic feature for any home, but like everything else, they could benefit from an occasional adjustment to work their best. Over time, the components of these doors may wear out or fall out of alignment, which can result in issues like sticking, bumping into frames or not locking properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments can help prevent these issues, which will save you money and time. The most frequent cause of sliding door misalignment stems from damage to the rollers or tracks caused by sudden jolts and excessive force. A quick fix using the right tools can fix this issue, keeping your patio door moving smoothly for years to come. Other causes of misalignment include variations in temperature or humidity or weatherstripping wear and tear and a poor installation. Parts can shift and loosen over time. This could cause the door to move and it may not close or latch properly. These shifts over time can result in air drafts, and possibly water leakage into the house. It is crucial to clean and lubricate the sliding patio door track regularly to avoid these problems. A small amount of spray lubricant could easily be bought at any hardware retailer and applying it often with a small amount of brush will keep the track running smooth. Another common cause for misalignment of sliding patio doors is that the latch hook is not aligned with the strike plate on jamb. To fix this start by opening the door to expose the latch mechanism and give you complete access to it. Find the screw that adjusts this latch hook, and gently turn it in either direction to adjust its length. A properly adjusted latch hook will guarantee that the latch is able to hit and connects to the strike plate without any hindrance or resistance. Check sliding patio door repair after you have made the necessary adjustments to ensure that it locks and slides correctly. If there are any issues, repeat the process until your sliding patio door is functioning properly. By following these easy steps you can save yourself a significant amount of money by not hiring professionals to perform expensive repairs. Frame Replacement Over time, screws on sliding doors' frames may loosen, allowing the frame to move slightly. By regularly tightening and checking the screws, you can keep your doors from becoming stuck or jammed. A screen that is sagging is fixable with some clamping. However hinges that are loose could require replacement. It is possible to upgrade a sliding patio without having to replace the frame however, you should first determine the condition of your current frame. This is a cheaper solution than replacing the entire frame and can meet specific requirements, such as improved insulation. A full frame replacement involves the complete removal of hinged doors frames, windows and doors from the wall opening. This allows an entirely new sliding patio be installed, and it can offer more flexibility in terms of design size, dimensions and materials. Sliding glass doors are made to give you a stunning view of your backyard. However, they do show signs of wear over time. If your sliding glass doors are difficult to open or are stuck it may be necessary to replace the track or wheels. If the frame is in good shape, replacing just the doors might be enough. Before you begin, make sure your work space is free of obstructions. Also, lay down a drop cloth. Then, lay the sliding door flat on the work surface and take off the removable grilles or shades. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the plugs that are covering the roller adjustment screws at the bottom of the sliding door frame (they're usually covered by caps). Once you've removed the plugs then, you can unwind the bottom of the sliding door and pull it away from the track. After the frame has been exposed, you can replace the track and the sliding door wheels. If the track for your sliding door is damaged or worn out, it's best to replace it completely rather than repairing an existing track. You can either purchase a DIY kit or engage a professional to complete it. In either case, follow the directions of the manufacturer to ensure proper installation.