How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door
Many issues can cause difficulties in operating sliding patio doors. Fortunately, the majority of these problems can be easily fixed.
The easiest way to fix your sliding patio door is to clean it. Use a brush and some soapy water to clean the tracks. You can then lubricate the tracks to increase their performance.
1. Tracks that are damaged or dirty Tracks
One of the main causes of a sticky or squeaky patio door is dirt and debris that has accumulated in the track. Pine straw, bird droppings and salt, sand, winter roads, and other nasties things can clog up the track. It is essential to regularly clean and lubricate your sliding doors.
Wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes. Then vacuum the tracks with a shop vac or use a brush to remove any gunk that has escaped. Mix equal parts of white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray a tiny amount of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the track and sill. Rinse and dry the area with paper towels. This will help prevent scratching and further damage to the track and sill.
Once the tracks are clean, take a toothbrush and get in there to scrub the harder areas that are stuck. You can also rub rough spots onto the bottom tracks, and then apply lubrication to the wheels to ensure smooth operation.
Another reason for a sticky door is a misaligned roller, which can also be fixed by adjusting the height and positioning of the rollers. It's a good idea replace the weather stripping on the door after doing this to ensure a snug fit and improve energy efficiency.
Leaking tracks can be an issue that could result in to mold growth and structural damage within your home. It is possible to fix the problem yourself when the leak is restricted to a small portion of the track. Simply seal the joint. However, if the problem is widespread, it's recommended to seek out a professional to repair the patio door.
2. Broken or Torn Screen
If your patio door does not allow airflow, it will make your house feel stuffy and uncomfortable. It can also be a perfect entry point for mosquitoes and pests. You should call a professional as soon as you notice an unfinished screen or fog between the glass panes.
If you have an old screen on your sliding patio door, it is simple to replace it with a new one. You can find screen material in pre-measured roll sizes that will accommodate the majority of door sizes. It's also available as complete screen repair kits that contain the screen along with spline, roller and spline all in one package.
Installing a new screen begins by laying the new material on a flat surface. Cut the screen to the length you want and make sure it covers the frame on both sides by approximately an inch. Then, you can remove the old spline along with any screen that's left from the window frame using your utility knife.
It is now possible to lay the new screen spline, beginning at the bottom left corner of the frame. Work your way around to the edges. Once the spline has been put in place, run your screen rolling tool over it several times to push it tightly into the groove of the frame. Then trim repair patio door lock and spline using your utility knife, taking care not to cut into the inside of the window frame. Check the spline to see whether there are any distortions or ripples. Adjust the screen if needed.
3. Leaking Seals
If you notice water getting a foothold around the patio door or getting trapped between the glass panes, it's a clear sign that your seals and frame are deteriorating. This can lead mold and decay, as well as higher energy bills due to air leakage and drafts.
Leaking seals are often caused by improperly installed caulking or flashing. To prevent this from happening, it's crucial to hire an experienced professional who has expertise installing patio doors and will ensure that the frame is correctly caulked and flashed.
In addition to properly installing the flashing, you'll also want to make sure that any cracks or gaps are closed with caulking rated for use with your specific type of weather conditions. If you reside in an area with humid climates, such as Ontario and the like, then you'll want to select the caulking product that is able to withstand moisture.
Another reason that leaks seals is when the shims beneath the door frame aren't put in the right place. These are typically made from wood and help to keep the sheathing level with the framing, but if they're not placed correctly, they can cause an opening that allows moisture to enter your home.
Spraying the frame using a garden nozzle or hose is a great way to test seals. If you see a mist coming in through these areas, you need to call a professional to inspect the frame at the installation. It's possible that a bit of additional caulking is all required, or maybe the shims have to be replaced. In either case, addressing the issue quickly will prevent the possibility of further damage and costly repairs. It is always better to repair your frame or patio door before it's too late than to put off repairs.
4. Warped Frame
When wood is exposed to outside forces like a fluctuation in humidity, it can absorb and lose moisture, which could cause the frame to warp. When a sagging frame develops it could make the door less functional and ultimately cause damage or complete failure. This is particularly the case for doors that divide damp basements and garages from living spaces.
A damaged frame can be fixed with minor repairs. Start by examining the frame to ensure that all of the bolts and screws are tight and secure. Replace any screws that are missing or loose. Replace the hinge screws by larger ones, with a preference of 2 inches or more. This will allow the screw to penetrate the wall framing instead of the door jamb and pull the frame back into place.
You can also include shims. These are thin pieces that can be placed on top of the hinges. This will allow you to tweak the way that the frame is placed. Shims can assist in supporting the frame and spread the weight evenly across larger areas and prevent the frame from becoming stretched over time.
You might want to engage a professional to repair more severe frame warps. A professional can conduct an extensive inspection to determine the severity of the problem and provide you with an extensive repair solution. They can also install additional bracing to reinforce the frame and keep it from sagging in the future. This is typically an easier and more durable option than purchasing new patio door components. If the frame is severely damaged, you might have to replace the entire jamb of the door instead of only the door itself.
5. Cosmetic Damage
Over time, patio doors be subject to a lot of wear and tear. Surface damage can leave your doors looking less than attractive and affect the appearance of your home. The positive side is that the majority of cosmetic damage can be repaired by using bonding fillers and paint. However when the door has significant cracks or dents, it will be best to replace it instead of trying to repair it.
Weatherstripping on doors can also become less effective over time, just like the seal around windows. It could result in gaps that allow outside air to get into your home, which can lead to higher energy bills. A professional door repair service can install new weatherstripping in order to reduce energy loss and improve insulation.
Moisture in the exterior of doors is always a problem however it can be particularly dangerous when it comes to your patio doors. This moisture can lead to wood rot which is expensive and difficult to repair. Water leaks should be repaired immediately by a professional.
Over time, a patio door can become misaligned due to regular use or foundation changes. This can cause patio doors to become jammed, or make it difficult to open and close. A technician for door repair can realign the tracks and hinges to ensure smooth operation. They can also replace worn-out hinges and rollers to restore proper functionality.