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How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door Many issues can make it difficult to operate sliding patio doors. Luckily, most of these issues can be easily fixed. Cleaning your sliding patio door will make it easier to fix it. You'll want to use brushes and soapy water to thoroughly clean the tracks. Then, you can apply lubrication to the tracks to improve their performance. 1. Tracks that are damaged or dirty Tracks One of the most frequent causes of a squeaky or sticky patio door is dirt and debris in the track. Bird droppings, pine straw and salt, sand, winter roads and other nasty things can clog up the track. This is why it's important to scrub and lubricate your sliding doors regularly. Start by putting on rubber gloves and a pair of safety goggles to protect your eyes. Use a shop vacuum or a brush to clean any gunk that has escaped. Next, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in the spray bottle. Spray a tiny amount of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the track and sill. Rinse and dry the area using paper towels. This will help prevent scratching and further damage to the track and sill. After the tracks have been cleaned using a toothbrush, scrub the more stubborn areas that are stuck. You can also sand down rough spots on the bottom track. You can then re-lubricate your rollers to bring them back to smooth operation. A misaligned door can also be caused by misaligned rollers. This can be corrected by changing the rollers' height as well as their position. If you are replacing the weather stripping, it's a good idea to do it to ensure a secure fitting and increase energy efficiency. patio door repair from the track are also a serious issue that can cause mold growth and structural damage to your home. It is possible to fix the problem yourself if the leak is contained to a small portion of the track. Simply replace the joint. If the issue is widespread you should contact an expert to repair the patio door. 2. Broken or Torn Screen A patio door that doesn't allow for adequate airflow could make your home feel stuffy and uncomfortable. It can also be a welcoming entry point for pests and mosquitoes. If you've damaged a screen or see fog growing between the panes of glass It's a good idea to call in professional help as soon as you can. If you have an old screen on your sliding patio door, it's easy to replace it with a brand new screen. You can buy screen material in rolls that are pre-measured to fit a variety of doors of standard sizes. It's also available in full screen repair kits that include the screen along with spline, roller and spline all in one package. For the installation of the new screen, begin by finding a solid surface to work from and laying out your replacement material on it. Then, using your scissors, cut it to length to the point that about an inch or two of the screen covers on both sides of the frame. Then with your utility blade, remove the old spline as well any screen that is not needed. Now you can put down the new screen spline, starting at the lower left corner of the frame and working your way around the perimeter. Once the spline is set, use the screen rolling tool to push it into the groove. Cut off any excess spline or screen using a utility blade making sure not to cut the inner frame of the window. Check the spline and see if there are any distortions or ripples. Adjust the screen as needed. 3. Seals that leak If you notice water getting trapped or pooling between the glass panes of your patio door, this is an indication that the seals and frame have lost their strength. This can cause rot and mold, not to mention increased costs for energy due to drafts and air leakage. Caulking and flashing that is not properly installed could result in leaky seals. It is important to hire an experienced professional who will install patio doors and ensure that the frame is properly caulked and flashed. You'll want to seal any cracks or gaps using caulking rated for your particular type of weather. If you reside in an area that has humid climates, such as Ontario or the province of Ontario, you'll be looking for the caulking product that is able to withstand the elements of moisture. The shims that are installed beneath the door frame could also cause leaks. These are usually made of wood and keep the sheathing at a level with the framing. However when they aren't installed correctly, they could cause a gap, which could allow moisture to get into your home. Spraying the frame using a garden nozzle or hose is an excellent way to test seals. If you notice a mist coming through these areas, call a professional who can come in and conduct a thorough inspection of the installation. It's possible that a little more caulking is all that's needed, or perhaps the shims need to be replaced. In either case, fixing the issue quickly will prevent the possibility of further damage and costly repairs. It's always better to be proactive in repairing your patio door and frame rather than wait until it is too late! 4. Warped Frame When wood is exposed to external forces, such as a fluctuation in humidity, it may absorb and lose moisture, which can cause the frame to become warped. A frayed frame can make it difficult to operate the door and eventually cause damage or even failure. This is especially true for doors that separate garages and basements that are damp from living areas. A few minor repairs are able to generally correct a frame that is warped. Begin by checking the frame to ensure that all the screws and bolts have been tightened and secured. Replace any missing or loose screws. Replace the hinge screws by larger ones, with a preference of 2 inches or more. This will allow the screw to be able to penetrate the wall framing, not the door jamb, and pull the frame back into place. You can also include shims. These are thin pieces that can be placed in front of the hinges. This will allow you to fine-tune how the frame is positioned. Shims can aid in supporting the frame and distribute the weight evenly across more of a larger area that will stop the frame from becoming damaged over time. For more severe frame warps you might want to think about hiring a professional to fix the issue. A professional will examine the frame in depth to determine the extent of the problem and offer a comprehensive solution. They can also install bracing in order to strengthen the frame and keep it from sliding. This is usually the most durable and cost-effective solution than buying new patio door components. If the frame is severely stretched, it might be necessary to replace the entire door jamb instead of just the door. 5. Cosmetic Damage Over time, the patio doors can show many wear and wear and. Surface damage can make your patio doors appear less appealing and impact the overall appearance of your home. The good news is that the majority of cosmetic damage can be repaired using bonding fillers and paint. If the door has huge cracks or dents it is recommended to replace it rather than trying to repair it. The weatherstripping on doors may lose its effectiveness with time, similar to the seal around windows. This can create gaps that allow air from outside to get into your home, which can lead to higher energy bills. A professional door repair service can install new weatherstripping to decrease energy loss and increase insulation. Moisture on the exterior of your door is never good news however patio doors are particularly vulnerable to it. The moisture could cause wood rot, which is costly and difficult to fix. The best way to safeguard your home is to have any leaks immediately replaced by a trained professional. Over time a patio door could be misaligned due to normal use or foundation changes. This can cause the doors to jam or become difficult to open and close. A door repair technician can adjust the hinges and tracks to ensure smooth operation. They can also replace worn rollers and hinges in order to restore proper functionality.