Sliding Patio Doors Repair: 11 Things That You're Failing To Do

· 6 min read
Sliding Patio Doors Repair: 11 Things That You're Failing To Do

Sliding Patio Doors Repair

Patio doors that slide open are an excellent way to take advantage of your outdoor space, but they can become difficult to open and close. This could be due to a variety of issues, including dirty tracks or improperly aligned rollers.

Clean the track first and making sure that the rollers are lubricated. You can also adjust the rollers by using the adjustment holes on the bottom of the door panel with movable doors.

Dirty or Damaged Track


A damaged or dirty track can cause the sliding door to not slide properly. Over time, dirt and grit, as well as rust can build up and stop the track from moving smoothly. A gentle detergent and brush will suffice. This process should be carried out regularly to ensure smooth operation and avoid costly repairs in the future.

A leaking door is another common problem that requires immediate attention to avoid the growth of mold, water damage and structural damage. Most often, the issue is due to worn weather stripping and misaligned doors, which can be corrected by replacing the weather stripping and aligning the door.

Rollers that bounce off the track are another common issue that can be solved with a few minutes of DIY work. Recruit a friend to help you in this endeavor because the door may be heavy. Sit inside the house and lean the panel in front of you to shift the rollers. To stop the panel from falling, place it on sawhorses once it's been removed from the bottom track. Then loosen the screws that keep each roller in place and remove them using a screwdriver. Now, you can get rid of any dirt that has accumulated between the wheel and tracks. Clean each wheel with denatured alcohol on a cloth. Reposition the wheels back to their tracks and attach them once more.

If a part of the track is bent, it may be possible to straighten it using the help of a rubber mallet and a block of wood. However when the bent section is near the hinges and has the potential to cause more damage, you'll be better off calling in a professional for safety reasons.

Rollers that are misaligned

If your sliding door is experiencing difficulty sliding, it's likely that the roller wheels have been misaligned. The wheels may be dirty, rusted, or their bearings worn out. This friction causes the door to snag and grind when it is opened or closed. This can also result in the sound of squeaking.

This is a straightforward fix. It is not necessary to take off the door to get at the wheels since they are on a bracket which is adjustable. Locate the adjustment holes (usually on either side of the frame) and utilize a screwdriver for turning the screws that control the wheels. A clockwise rotation of the screw raises the wheel while a counterclockwise rotation lowers it. Continue adjusting until the door is moving smoothly and quietly when open or closed.

It's important to adjust the wheels prior adjusting the latch. The latch hooks have to be aligned with the strike plate (the opening into which the latch locks) in order for the lock to work properly. If you don't take this step, the latch may open or close by accident even when you're not in the room.

Sliding patio door are an investment. Making sure they are in good condition will ensure the safety of your family. You can prevent costly repairs by fixing the most common issues, such as broken tracks, rollers and handles. For more help with your patio doors, get in touch with our team. We can evaluate your needs for repair of your sliding patio door and assist you in keeping it in good shape. Our professionals can also assist with any replacement parts that you might require.

Damaged or loosely held door frame

Sliding patio doors are a great addition to any home. They offer a stylish and practical alternative to hinged or swing-open doors for patios. However, like any other type of hardware that they are, they could face many issues in time. Many of these issues are fixable with a bit of DIY expertise.

A gap in the frame is a typical issue with sliding patio doors. This could be due to various reasons, including tracks or rollers that are not aligned properly, a damaged door or track or a bent frame. Most of the time the root of the issue can be resolved by removal of the door and reconnecting the track or rolling elements. This must be done with extreme care to not cause damage to the track or frame.

In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire track, which can be done easily with a universal replacement kit which is available at all major hardware stores. These kits are easy to install and will have your door operating perfectly in no time.

It is important to inspect your sliding door's frame and hardware for signs of wear and tear, like loose bolts or screws. They can usually be tightened with a screwdriver or wrench which makes this a simple and efficient DIY patio door maintenance process. It is also important to oil your rollers and tracks to make sure they operate smoothly and prevent premature wear.

For many homeowners the patio doors are their primary access to their backyard and outdoor living space. As such, they need to to function properly to ensure the safety of their home and provide security. By making the effort to implement these easy DIY maintenance steps homeowners can extend the lifespan of their sliding patio doors and reduce expensive repairs or replacements.

Faulty Handle

Sliding patio doors are a great way to access your backyard and to enter your home, but they can be difficult to operate if damaged or misaligned. A damaged handle could cause the door to become stuck or difficult to open and close. Fixing a loose handle could be accomplished at home.

In most cases, a handle that is loose is merely the result of screws that have worked their way out of the backplate. To fix the issue tighten the screws on the inside handle with the help of a screwdriver. If the handle is still loose it could be a sign that the threads are worn out and need to be replaced.

Or, a damaged latch might be the culprit. This is more likely to occur if the latch is made of plastic instead of metal. If  patio door repair near me RepairMyWindowsAndDoors  is not turning or catching it, try oiling it first to see if this aids. If not, you may have to replace the lock completely.

The handle, in turn, could become difficult to use if it is broken or cracked. If this happens it is necessary to replace it with a brand new handle that matches the style of your sliding patio door.

Feldco can help restore your patio doors to their former splendor, no matter if they are new or outdated. We have doors of high-quality in a variety of sizes and styles that can be adapted to perfectly fit your home. To learn more about our products, call us today! We offer services to Southern California homeowners, including Ventura County and Orange County.

Weatherstripping that isn't working properly

It's time to upgrade your weather stripping if see light around closed windows and doors or feel a draft pulling towards the door or window. These strips create a tight seal that prevents air, pests, or water from getting into your home. This helps to keep your conditioned and heated air inside, saving you money on energy costs.

It may have lost its strong, bouncy seal due to aging. You can easily diagnose this by running a dollar bill under the seal at the top and bottom of the jamb as well as the door frame where they meet. If the dollar bill slides easily between the seal and door with ease then it's time to replace the weatherstripping.

If you only replace the worn-out part of the weather stripping, this may cause future problems with the seal. It is more efficient to replace the entire stripping. This will let you rest assured that your door will be sealed properly.

For an easy DIY project follow our guide to weather stripping to remove the old weather stripping and install the right material to your sliding patio door and door frame to create a durable solid, secure seal. This is a great opportunity for you to save energy costs and fix your sliding patio door. Don't wait until it's too late. You'll reduce your expenses and enhance the appearance of your home.