Sliding patio doors are a great feature for any home. They open up living spaces to the outdoors while also allowing for air circulation and natural light. The exterior elements of our homes, however, always need a little upkeep and work if we want them to last. Similar issues can arise with sliding patio doors, including derailed doors, clogged and sticky tracks, and worn-out rollers, to name just a few.Â
Take Care of Your Door to Prevent Sticking
Dealing with small problems now can prevent more serious, expensive issues later. Sticky doors are annoying and if ignored will only get worse. We’d like to share some preventative maintenance advice with you to keep your sliding patio doors operating smoothly.
1. Clean the Glass
Nothing is more satisfying than having clean, shiny windows. With some window cleaner and newspaper, you can quickly and easily remove children’s sticky fingerprints, general dust, and grime. You can reduce the accumulation of debris in the surrounding frame and tracks by cleaning it with warm water and soap.
2. Wipe Down the Frame
Both the interior and exterior frame of the door can be cleaned to maintain its appearance and to stop weathering damage to the outer frame seal. It only needs to be lightly dusted, and then washed with warm, soapy water. Avoid harsh chemicals as they can damage the finish of your door frames. For sliding doors with a wooden frame, the wood must be re-varnished when the initial varnish starts to fade.
3. Clean the Track
Sliding patio tracks experience severe wear from home dwellers’ dirty shoes, kids’ crumbs, and pet hair. But they are also exposed to seasonal temperature extremes and blown-in debris. Every month, we advise cleaning the rollers and tracks. To start, remove any loose dust and debris with a vacuum. Wipe away dirt with a warm, soapy water solution. Use a butter knife slowly and carefully to clean grooves and difficult-to-reach areas. An old toothbrush works wonders for removing fine dirt from confined spaces.
4. Lubricate the Tracks
Doors will not stick and will be easier to open if the bottom tracks are lubricated. Do this only if the tracks are clear of dust and debris. In order to thoroughly clean and lubricate the entire rail, it may be best to remove the doors from the tracks if your tracks are dirty or if you’ve been dealing with a sticking door for some time.
Aluminium sliding tracks should not have any lubrication added. Lubrication can clog the rollers and result in issues. As long as you just keep dirt and debris off the tracks, they should work fine. Furthermore, they do not rust, so this will not be an issue either.
5. Replace Worn Out Weatherstripping
Your home will no longer be protected from icy temperatures by worn-out and fragile weathering strips on your door. In order to replace weatherstripping, first remove the old strips, then clean the surface to remove any dirt or residue. Follow product instructions and make sure it is straight.
6. Replace Worn Out Rollers
The rollers may need to be taken out for further analysis if the door is old and stubborn. Rollers that are dirty can be cleaned, lubricated, and then reinstalled. However, if your door rollers are broken, your only choice is to replace them. Make sure the rollers are properly positioned, then adjust the screws until the movement is smooth.
7. Check the alignment of the door panels
Misalignment and rickety movement can be brought on by loud knocks, poor installation, and abusive use of the sliding door (slamming). The alignment of rollers may also be affected by built-up debris or a settling foundation. To fix this, either remove the door and align it horizontally from top to bottom, or adjust the roller screws.
A reputable company’s installation of a high-quality sliding door will result in a longer lifespan for the entrance to your patio, garden, or terrace. So speak to a specialist at Imperial Windows today to find out more about installing a set of sliding doors for your home.
If your doors are beyond repair, speak with our specialist today about sliding door replacement options that provide better insulation and durability.