Patio Doors Repair - How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet
Patio doors are an excellent way to connect your home with the outside. They offer a relaxing and convenient transition. They also help save money on heating and cooling bills by keeping air inside your home.
But with time your sliding glass or French doors could lose their luster. Simple repairs can keep your sliding glass or French doors looking and working like new.
Weatherstripping
You're walking your dog to the park at 5 am when you get in a puddle right next to your sliding patio door. You turn around to see that the rain of last night ripped through the seals of your patio doors. This is not going to be an easy project. With a bit of patience and some tools, you can fix this and keep your dog safe from wet, cold feet.
The key is to replace the weatherstripping which seals the gap between the door and the jamb, preventing moisture, pests, and drafts. It also helps keep your energy bills lower. A quick examination of your windows and doors will let you know if the weatherstripping is in good shape or needs replacement.
There are many kinds of weatherstripping, such as felt, open-cell foam, vinyl, thermoplastic rubber and metals like bronze and copper. Each has its pros and drawbacks. Open-cell foam and felt are inexpensive however they tend to be visible and ineffective at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more costly, however, it's more durable and resistant to moisture. Rubber is a good choice for areas with high traffic because it does not wear as fast.
To install new weatherstripping, you must first remove the patio door from the frame by loosening the roller adjustment screws with the aid of a screwdriver. Then, using a flathead screwdriver loosen the screws that hold the weatherstripping in place at the bottom of the frame. Then, pull out the weatherstripping that was previously in place and take off any remaining adhesive from the frame's bottom. Then, cut the replacement to the proper length, then peel back the plastic strip on one side and then apply it to the jamb using a putty knife.
Reinstall the door, and adjust the roller screws to ensure that it sits properly in the track. Then, apply caulk to the area where the stationary panel is positioned to bypass the sliding door and where the edge of the stationary panel meets the frame. This is not as secure a seal than the weatherstripping, but it should work for a time.
Handles and locks
Locks and handles for patio doors play an important role in the security of your home. Over time, they may be damaged or worn out and require replacement. Additionally, the spindle that connects the exterior and interior handles may also need to be replaced.
To replace a handle on a patio door first, remove the old one by unscrewing the screws that are holding it in place. Once the old handle is removed then use a level to make sure the patio door is straight before installing the new handle. If the door isn't straight it can interfere with the lock. This could cause problems in the future.
After you have the new handle Close and then open it a few times to ensure it is working effectively. If you have any problems ask the manufacturer or a hardware expert for assistance. To avoid problems in the future it is recommended to also lubricate your lock mechanism using lubricant made of silicone.
The most popular type of patio door lock is a mortise latch. It is usually constructed of steel and is placed in a pocket that has been cut into the door frame. These locks are commonly used on sliding doors made of aluminum and wood. Before ordering a replacement mortise lock, you need to measure. The measurements you need include the location of the mounting holes and the position of the keyway inside the lock.
Some patio door handles have an internal locking mechanism integrated into the handle. sliding patio door repairs near me have an elongated key cylinder that fits into the handle's keyway. This type of patio door includes the exterior and interior locks within one unit. This kind of patio door is often found on sliding aluminum doors.
If your patio door latch doesn't stay fixed It could be due to the lock tongue isn't catching the jamb's hasp correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door isn't completely parallel to the side jamb. Try opening the door about an inch and placing it against the frame to determine if there is any gap between the door and the jamb. If there is, you can adjust the rollers on the bottom left or right of the patio door to make it perfectly parallel with the jamb.
Misalignment
As time passes the door's tracks and rollers can lose their proper alignment. This can cause the door to sag or become difficult to move. It could also allow cold air and drafts to enter your home, which could decrease energy efficiency. Fortunately, misalignment is simple to correct and stop. Applying a silicone-based grease to the tracks and rollers can make your doors glide again. It's a good idea to apply this every so often to ensure your doors are in top operating condition.
A damaged screen could also be an issue. It can be an inconvenience or even a danger. Additionally, it could prevent the doors from closing and opening correctly, which could lead to energy loss. In some cases the screen can be repaired but in other cases the door has to be replaced. If you've damaged your window screen, be sure to clean it thoroughly. Also, don't turn the handles of the door the wrong way.
Over time, hinges may loosen due to normal wear and tear or heavy usage. Regularly tightening the screws can help correct this issue and ensure that your doors shut tightly. It's a simple task that you can do yourself. However, if you're not sure doing it yourself, you must consult an expert.
You should also clean the rollers and tracks of your patio doors frequently. A simple vacuuming or brushing can get rid of dust and debris that could impede the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can also use a specific tool to clean off rust or dirt that is hard to remove. It is possible to fix misalignment by tightening or inspecting the screws. Sometimes, it is necessary to replace the hinges to ensure a long-lasting seal.
If your patio doors' frames are sagging or warped they could affect their alignment and performance. Shifting or warping can be caused by foundation changes, however, it can also result from poor installation or frequent use. A professional can fix or replace the frame of your patio door and ensure it's properly aligned so that it can function at its peak.
Rollers
Sliding patio doors are great for bringing the outside in and letting ample natural light, but they do require some attention to ensure they are sliding smoothly. If you notice that you need to really yank on the handle to get your door to move, or simply doesn't move as smoothly as it used to, the culprit may be the rollers. Over time the lower track could become clogged with dirt, dirt, and sand. This makes it difficult for rollers to move. You can try cleaning it by spraying it with a lubricant such as 2Slick.
If the tracks are cleaned but the rollers aren't able to move freely it's time to replace them. Replacement rollers are available for your door and track. You can purchase them at most hardware shops, but will need someone to assist you in removing and reinstall the rollers. Take a picture of the rollers installed within the frame to help the experts determine the exact type and model you need. They can also look for specific characteristics like dimples, bumps, cut-outs and flared edges that could narrow your alternatives for replacement.
After the rollers have been replaced, you'll need to reinstall the sliding door back into its frame. Get some help in this regard as the door is quite heavy. Make sure there are any screws holding the track on either side of the frame. If they are check that they're loose enough for the door's bottom to fall into the channel that is above the frame. If there's screen doors, take it from the opening and make sure it's free of track and rollers.
When the new rollers have been installed, carefully insert the door into the frame, then swing it back into position. If your rollers are adjustable, you can adjust them so that the door is able to be opened.