When your sliding patio doors were first installed, they probably functioned seamlessly, sliding smoothly and effortlessly open and closed, even with your hands full. Now that they’re getting older, you may have noticed the gliding function doesn’t work as well as it used to. You may struggle to get the door open, and have to put down what you’re carrying to “heave” the door open, or closed. It may not lock easily and that’s a safety struggle as well. There are many things that could be causing this problem – and fortunately, there are also some DIY solutions that may help.
Poor gliding function in patio doors can be caused by any one of the following:
Dirty rollers. Rollers are the main parts that keep your patio doors gliding easily. Over time, dirt and debris can build up on the rollers, thus preventing your sliding patio doors from opening and closing easily. The dirtier the rollers get, the harder it may become to open and close your door.
Misaligned rollers. The rollers on your patio doors hug a track that keeps the door opening and closing. If the rollers become misaligned, they may no longer fit into the track or rub on the edges of the track, which can cause the doors to become harder to open and close.
Dirty tracks. Even if the rollers are clean and properly aligned, the tracks themselves where the rollers fit may become dirty. When this happens, opening and closing the door becomes much more difficult or nearly impossible. Dirty tracks can keep your door from closing completely as well.
Cleaning the patio door tracks can help once dirty rollers and dirty tracks function smoothly. To begin, vacuum the tracks with a hand-held vacuum or a vacuum attachment.
Once this is done, combine a mild cleaner (non-abrasive) with warm water. Dampen a scrub brush with the soapy water, then scrub the tracks with the sponge. Push the scrub brush deep into the tracks to clean the hard-to-reach parts.
Once this is done, insert a rag into the tracks to get any remaining dirt or debris out of the tracks. If the tracks still look dirty, you may be able to get the rag farther down into the crevices of the tracks by poking the rag farther with a skewer or table knife. Be sure not to scratch or damage the tracks while you’re doing this though. Don’t force it. Dry the tracks, then vacuum them one more time.
Once the tracks are clean, this process should be repeated on a regular basis to keep the tracks clean and to prevent the rollers from degrading. Doing this routine maintenance once annually can help to keep your patio doors operating in good condition.
At some point, your patio doors will need to be replaced. If you’re spending more time than usual repairing or maintaining your patio doors, that time may have already arrived.
When the time comes to install new patio doors in your home, turn to a quality patio door dealer and installer. Renewal by Andersen of New Jersey and New York Metro sells patio doors made from high quality materials. Call the toll-free number (866) 609-5033 or fill in the short form on this page to set up an appointment for a free consultation today.
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