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Five Repair Patio Door Projects For Any Budget
How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door

A variety of problems can cause difficulties in operating sliding patio doors. Most of these problems can be fixed easily.

Cleaning your sliding patio door is the simplest way to fix it. You'll want to use a brush and soapy water to thoroughly clean the tracks. After that, you can lubricate them to make them more mobile.

1. Tracks that are damaged or dirty Tracks

Dirt and debris in the track are the main cause of a sticky patio door. Sand and salt from winter roads, pine straw and bird droppings, pet hair and other nastiness can gum up the process. This is why it's essential to clean and lubricate your sliding doors regularly.

Put on a pair of rubber goggles and gloves to protect your eyes. Then vacuum the tracks with a shop vac or use brushes to get rid of the gunk. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar into spray bottles. Spray a tiny amount of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the sill and track. Rinse the area and dry it using paper towels to avoid scratching or further damaging the sill and track.


After the tracks have been cleaned, use a toothbrush to scrub the areas that are stuck. You can also sand off rough spots on the bottom track, and then re-lubricate your rollers to ensure smooth operation.

A misaligned door can also be caused by misaligned rollers. This can be fixed by changing the rollers' height and positioning. When you replace the weather stripping, it's a good idea to do this to ensure a snug fitting and to increase the efficiency of your energy.

Leaking tracks are also an issue that can cause to structural damage and mold growth in your home. If the leak is confined to a particular section of the track, you might be able to repair it yourself by resealing the joint. If the issue is widespread, you should call an expert to repair the patio door.

2. Broken or damaged screen

If your patio door does not allow airflow, it could make your home feel stale and uncomfortable. It could also be a welcome entryway for mosquitoes and pests. You should call a professional as soon as you notice the screen is damaged or there is a fog that has formed between the glass panes.

If you have an old screen on your sliding patio door, it is easiest to replace it with a new screen. Screen material is available in pre-measured rolls that should be able to fit the majority of door sizes. It's also available as complete screen repair kits that include the screen along with spline, roller and spline all in a single package.

The process of installing a new screen starts by laying the replacement material on a solid surface. Cut the screen to the desired length, so that it overlaps the frame on both sides by around one inch. Then using your utility knife take off the old spline, as well as any excess screen.

Now you can lay out the new screen spline, beginning at the bottom left corner of the frame. Work your way around until you reach the perimeter. Once the spline has been put in place, use your screen rolling tool to push it into the groove. Trim any excess screen and spline it with your utility knife, being careful not to cut through the inside of the frame. Examine the spline to determine whether there are any distortions or ripples. Adjust patio door repair if needed.

3. Seals that leak

If you notice that water is pooling around the patio door or getting stuck between the glass panes, it's a clear indication that your seals and frames are losing their integrity. This could lead to mold and rot, as well as higher energy bills due to drafts and air leakage.

Leaking seals are often caused by improperly installed flashing or caulking. It is essential to hire an experienced professional who will install patio doors and ensure that the frame is caulked and flashed.

You'll want to seal any cracks or gaps using caulking rated for your particular type of weather. For example, if you live in a humid climate such as Ontario it is important to select a caulking product that is resistant to moisture.

The shims which are put beneath the door frame could also cause leaks. They are typically made from wood and help keep the sheathing in line with the framing. However when they aren't installed correctly, they could cause a gap, which could allow moisture to enter your home.

One way to test your seals is by spraying the frame with a hose or garden nozzle. If you see the mist forming in these areas, you need to call a professional examine the frame at the installation. It's possible that you only need to add a little caulking or replace the shims. Whatever the case solving these issues as quickly as possible will prevent costly repairs and damages down the road. It's always better to be proactive about fixing your patio door and frame than to 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 could cause the frame to warp. A frayed frame can make it difficult to operate the door and eventually cause damage or failure. This is especially relevant for doors that separate basements and garages that are damp from living areas.

A damaged frame can be fixed with a few minor repairs. Begin by inspecting the frame to make sure that all bolts and screws are tight and secure. Replace any screws that are missing or loose. Next, try replacing the hinge screws with larger ones that are 2 or more inches long. This will allow the screw to penetrate the wall framing instead of the door jamb and pull the frame back in place.

You could also consider adding shims, which are small pieces of wood that can be placed behind the hinges in order to fine-tune the frame's positioning. Shims can help support the frame, and distribute the weight evenly across more of the area. This will prevent the frame from becoming more distorted over time.

You might consider hiring a professional to repair more serious frame warps. A professional can perform an exhaustive inspection to determine the extent of the issue and provide you with a comprehensive repair solution. They can also put in additional bracing to strengthen the frame and help to keep it from sagging in the future. This is usually the most durable and cost-effective solution than buying new patio door components. If the frame is badly damaged, you may have to replace the entire jamb of the door, not just the actual door.

5. Cosmetic Damage

Over time, patio doors endure a significant amount of wear and tear. Damage to the surface could make your patio doors appear less appealing and affect the aesthetics of your home. The good news is that the majority of cosmetic damage can be corrected by using bonding fillers and paint. However should the door have significant dents or cracks it is best to replace it instead of trying to repair it.

Like the seals around windows, a door's weatherstripping can lose its effectiveness over time. This can cause gaps that let air from outside infiltrate your home and increase the cost of energy. A professional door repair can install new weatherstripping to reduce energy loss and improve insulation.

Moisture on the exterior of a door is always a problem, but it's especially dangerous for your patio doors. This moisture can cause wood rot, which is costly and difficult to repair. The best method to protect your home is to have any water leaks repaired immediately by a professional trained to do so.

A patio door can be misaligned with time due to foundation modifications or the normal use. This can cause the patio doors to jam, or make it difficult to open and close. A door repair technician can realign the hinges and tracks to ensure smooth operation. They can also replace worn rollers and hinges in order to restore functionality.

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