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Sliding Patio Door Repair and Replacement Sliding patio doors make a fantastic addition to any home. They're easy to operate and provide the most expansive view. Like any other household door they are prone to wear and tear, which requires repair or replacement. Keep your sliding patio doors in working order by cleaning and lubricating them frequently. Lubricating patio door repairs with silicone spray or graphite will allow them to slide smoothly and extend their usage. Roller Replacement If your sliding patio door doesn't roll smoothly, you might need to lubricate it. But, if the rollers are worn or damaged, they need to be replaced. Replacing your patio door's rollers will let your doors operate smoothly and lessen the amount of force needed to open or close them. If your patio door is an older model it might be necessary to remove the bottom portion of the frame in order to access the rollers. If this is the case then use a block of wood and rubber mallet to tap the door free and then remove it. Be sure to save the roller screws for reinstalling your new rollers. Sliding glass doors are important security points in most homes and need to be secured properly. In addition to making it difficult to open or close your door, old or damaged roller wheels can cause gaps that can be exploited by burglars. Replacing your patio door rollers ensures that your home is well-protected from uninvited guests. After removing the bottom and top rails, it is a good idea to wipe down all parts of the track using an alcohol-soaked cloth. This will get rid of any dirt, making it easier to remove the doors from the track. The drainage holes in the bottom track should be obvious however they are often blocked by dirt. If you notice that your track is susceptible to collecting dirt, think about installing a stainless-steel u-shaped piece which snaps over the track to provide an additional channel for water flow. These are available from CR Laurence and other retailers who specialize in sliding door replacement parts. Remember to install the first panel, and then the top panel. When the doors are back in place, you'll be able to verify that they move freely and don't require any excessive force to open or close them. If they are still rough, you can adjust the new rollers to give them more clearance. Weather Stripping Replacement The weather strip of your sliding door's seals wear down slowly and allow in drafts and moisture that raise your energy costs. Replacing them is a simple project that takes only a few minutes and can be repaid in lower heating expenses in no time. Sliding door weather stripping is available in a wide assortment of materials, each having distinct advantages and disadvantages. You'll need to choose one that is able to stand up to friction, temperature changes as well as changes in weather and foot traffic, without interfering in the sliding door's operation. Foam and felt are both inexpensive however they are susceptible to weather and visible in the frame. Vinyl is more expensive, however it lasts for a long time. Metals are strong, but may not look right in a modern home. Rubber or plastic may erode with time and will require replacement on a regular basis. To install new weather strips, you must remove the door from the casing. Locate the headstop on the top of the door typically small pieces of metal or plastic that is secured by screws. Take off the screws and then use a flathead to pry off the headstop from the bottom of your door. Remove the old weather stripping and any residue left behind with a putty knife or scraper. You'll need a good amount of force to pull the door out of its frame Don't try to do this by one person. Instead, you should have a second person to hold the door steady as you take it out of its frame. After the doors are closed then locate the channels that support the weather stripping. Plugs that are in line with the color of your doors should be placed in these channels. Remove the plugs, and then pull them up on the weather stripping to remove it from its channel. There are a variety of weather stripping however the most suitable for sliding patio doors is Fin Seal. This kind of weather stripping has a Mylar fin that is centered in the pile (brush material) and is extremely durable, suitable for nearly all climates and can stand up well to foot traffic. The back of the stripping is made of a flexible, hard material that can withstand the rigors a sliding patio door. Door Alignment Sliding patio doors are a great feature for any home, but as with everything else, they could benefit from a periodic adjustment to work their best. Over time, the parts of these doors may wear out or become out of alignment, which can result in issues like sticking, bumping into frames, or failing to lock properly. Regular maintenance and minor adjustments will stop these issues which will save you time and money. One of the most frequent reasons for sliding door misalignment is the damage to rollers or tracks from sudden jolts or force. This problem can be solved quickly by using the correct tools. Your patio door will slide smoothly for many years. It can also be caused by changes in humidity and temperature as well as weatherstripping wear and poor installation. Parts may shift and become loose over time. This could cause the door to move and not latch or close properly. Over time, these shifts can cause air drafts and even allow water to leak into the house. To prevent these problems to avoid these issues, it is essential to clean and lubricate your patio door track. A small amount of spray lubricant can easily be bought at any hardware retailer, and applying it often with a small amount of brush can keep the track running smoothly. Another common cause of misalignment of sliding patio doors is the latch hook not syncing with the strike plate on the jamb. To fix this, open the door and reveal the latch mechanism. This will allow you to see it and gain full access. Then, locate the adjustment screw that controls 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 resistance or obstruction. Check your door after you have made the necessary adjustments to ensure it slides and locks correctly. If there are any issues, you can repeat the procedure until your sliding patio door is fully functioning. With these simple steps you will save yourself a significant amount of money by not requiring experts to make costly repairs. Frame Replacement Over time, the screws on sliding door frames can loosen, allowing the frame to move slightly. By regularly checking and tightening these screws will keep your doors from sticking or becoming jammed. 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 feasible, but it requires careful assessment of the condition of the current frame. This is a more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire frame. It also can address specific needs like improved insulation. A full frame replacement is the complete removal of the existing hinged doors, windows and frame from the wall opening. This allows for a new sliding patio door to be put in and will allow for more options in terms of style size, material and design. Sliding glass doors are made to provide you with a stunning view of your backyard, however with time, they may start showing signs of wear and tear. If your sliding glass doors are difficult to open or get stuck you may need to replace the track or wheels. If the frame is in good condition it might suffice to replace the doors. Be sure that your workspace is free of obstructions, and that you have laid down a dropcloth. Next, lay the sliding door on a flat work surface and remove any grilles that are removable or shades from the frame. Then make use of a screwdriver remove the plugs that are covering the screws that adjust the rollers at the bottom of the frame (they're often covered with caps). After these have been removed then you can loosen them and pull the bottom of the door away from the track. When the frame is exposed and the frame is exposed, you can replace the track and sliding door wheels. If your sliding door track is old or damaged it is recommended to replace it completely than fixing an existing one. You can purchase a kit to do the DIY project, or you can have an expert handle it for you. In either case, you must follow the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure the proper installation.