Glass patio doors can make life so much more enjoyable in the summer. Sunlight streaming through the glass makes your home feel bright and warm, and you can gaze out through the doors, enjoying a view of the outdoors. As spring arrives, make sure your sliding glass doors are ready for the warmer weather. Below, we offer five tips to help you prepare the patio doors on your Cincinnati home for summertime.
1. Clean the Door Tracks
If dirt and debris get into the door’s tracks, you will have trouble opening and closing the sliding door. You may have to push extra hard or really work to slide the door shut. So, in preparation for summer, make sure you give the tracks a thorough cleaning. Remove the screen door first, and also remove any drapes or blinds. Open the door all of the way to one side, and then use a sponge dipped in soapy water to clean out the tracks. Get into the smaller grooves by using an old toothbrush or a cotton swab dipped in soapy water. Let this side of the track dry, and then open the door in the other direction to clean the rest of the tracks.
2. Launder the Door Treatments
If you have any blinds or drapes over your patio doors, this is the perfect time to clean them. They may have accumulated dust and dirt over the winter, and you don’t want this to blow off into your home when you open the patio doors. Many drapes can now be washed at home in your washing machine, but check the tag — some still need to be dry cleaned. If you have drapes or blinds, you can simply wipe them clean with a microfiber cloth and a spritz or all-purpose cleaner.
3. Squeegee the Glass
Glass patio doors feature so much glass that if the glass is streaky, you really notice. Thus, wiping the glass clean with regular glass cleaner won’t do the trick. Instead, obtain a pail of soapy water, a sponge, and a squeegee. Dish soap works okay, and there are also detergents made specifically for window washing. Use the sponge to scrub the glass with the soapy water, and then use the squeegee to remove it from the glass door. Start in the top left corner, and pull the squeegee straight across the door. Repeat this stroke, each time moving further down the door, until you reach the bottom. Wipe the squeegee dry after each stroke.
4. Check the Weather-stripping
If the weather-stripping on your patio door is loose or ripped, you will get warm air seeping inside under your door. As the weather grows warmer, this may drive up air conditioning bills in your Cincinnati home. If the weather-stripping is worn, take the time to remove and replace it. You can purchase new weather-stripping at most hardware stores. If your door itself is loose in the frame even after you replace the weather-stripping, you may want to consider replacing your patio doors.
5. Check the Locks and Latches
Locks and latches are often the first component to fail on patio doors — especially on lower-quality patio doors made from vinyl. Doors that no longer latch or lock properly are not safe, especially if you have kids in the home. Look into having them replaced by higher-quality doors made from composite materials like Fibrex®.
Follow the tips above, and your patio doors will be in great shape for springtime. Should you find that your sliding glass doors need to be replaced, contact Renewal by Andersento learn more about our replacement patio doors for your Cincinnati home.
