Sliding Glass Patio Door Repair

A sliding glass patio door is an ideal investment, provided that it is installed in the correct position. It should be situated in such a direction that more light and air enter the room. The earlier sliding glass door units were bulky, and over the time, it becomes difficult to slide open the doors. Nevertheless, with the development of sophisticated technology and building materials, superior quality and durable sliding patio doors are introduced in the market. Installing these doors not only aid in saving energy, but you can also enjoy the scenic view of gardens and outdoors without stepping out of home.

If the sliding glass patio door is more than 10 years old, chances are high that you have problems in opening it smoothly. You can improve its functionality by repairing and replacing its parts (if necessary). Understanding the parts of the door and its working will help in correcting the malfunction easily. In most of the sliding glass door designs, plastic rollers are configured either at the bottom, or both at the top and bottom of the door for free sliding. Common problems and tips for sliding glass patio door repair are highlighted in the upcoming paragraphs.

Info about Repairing a Sliding Glass Patio Door

The need for repairing a sliding glass patio door after some years of installation is understandable, particularly that of the tracks and rollers of the door unit. If you are planning to repair a sliding glass doors on your own, make sure you take the help of a friend or a family member. Remember glass doors are very heavy and they can be difficult to handle. Based on the door structure, carefully lift the door and free it from the frame. After this, identifying the components and repairing the door malfunction become easy. Following are some of the possible sliding glass patio door problems and ways on how to repair them.

Check the Rollers: The most common problem with sliding glass patio door is difficulty in opening and closing the door. In such a case, inspect the rollers or wheels at the bottom and check whether they are in place or not. If the wheels are out of track, then you can troubleshoot the sliding door malfunction by simply adjusting them on the track.

Replace the Rollers: At times, the rollers or wheels may be worn out, which is more common in older door units. Carefully remove the damaged rollers from the frame with the help of a screwdriver. Purchase correct size rollers, preferably the exact copies of the damaged ones, and install them in the door framing as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Additional Contact Point: If your sliding glass patio door is an old model, it is quite possible that it has only one contact point. This configuration reduces the durability of the wheels as the weight of the glass door is concentrated on the single contact point. You can install an additional contact point to ensure proper distribution of the door weight, which will increase the durability of the wheels. If this project sounds challenging, don't hesitate to hire a professional.

Clean the Tracks: Accumulation of dust and dirt in the tracks may be one of the causes of difficulty in sliding the door. If such is the case, you can vacuum clean the tracks for removing loose dust and dirt. Also, consider washing the tracks with a mild cleaning product and warm water. Allow them to dry properly before mounting the sliding glass patio door.

Fixing Glass Cracks: For dealing with small cracks in the sliding door glass, you can use a resin based product. However, if the cracks are large, consider replacing the glass pane. You can loosen the screws in the side panels and remove the old glass unit from the frame. Measure the accurate dimension of the glass pane and purchase accordingly. Fit the new glass panel in the sliding door frame and fasten the screws. Ensure that it is fitted properly.

As for malfunction of individual components, there are professional servicemen for replacing any of the parts - screens, rollers, tracks, locks, and handles. In case you are thinking of installing a new door, follow the basic tips for sliding glass door replacement. Or else, some companies provide free of cost installation, if you buy the unit from them. You can avail the offer and get the job done without any problem.