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7 Helpful Tricks To Making The Most Of Your Repair Patio Door
How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door

Sliding patio doors can become difficult to operate due to a range of issues. The majority of these issues are easily fixable.

Cleaning your sliding patio door will fix it the easiest. You'll want to use brushes and soapy water to thoroughly clean the tracks. Then, you can lubricate the tracks to enhance their performance.

1. Tracks that are dirty or damaged Tracks

One of the main causes of a squeaky or sticky patio door is dirt and debris that has accumulated in the track. Bird droppings, pine straw, sand and salt from winter roads and other things can cause a blockage in the track. It's important to regularly lubricate and scrub your sliding doors.

Put on some rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes. Then vacuum the tracks with a shop vac or use a brush to remove the gunk. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray a small amount of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the track and sill. Rinse the area and then dry it with paper towels to avoid scratching or harming 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 rough spots on the bottom tracks and then replenish the wheels with lubricant to ensure smooth operation.

Another reason for a squeaky door is the misalignment of the rollers, which can also be fixed by adjusting the height and position of the rollers. It is a good idea to replace the weather stripping around the door whenever you do this to ensure a snug fit and increase energy efficiency.

Leaks from the track are also a serious problem that could lead to mold growth and structural damage to your home. It is possible to fix the problem yourself in the event that the leak is limited to a small portion of the track. Simply re-seal the joint. If patio doors repairs near me is widespread, you should call a professional to fix the patio door.

2. Broken or Torn Screen

A patio door that does not allow for adequate airflow could make your home feel uncomfortable and uncomfortable. It could also create a welcoming entryway for mosquitoes and other pests. If you have a torn screen or see fog accumulating between the panes of glass, it's recommended to seek professional assistance immediately.

If you have an old screen that is hanging on your patio door, it's easiest to replace it with a new one. You can purchase screen material in rolls that have been pre-measured to fit most standard door sizes. It's also available as complete screen repair kits that contain the screen along with spline, roller and spline all in a single package.

The process of installing a new screen begins by laying the replacement material on a firm surface. Use your scissors to cut the screen to the desired length in a way that it is able to overlap the frame on both sides by around one inch. Then with your utility blade remove the old spline, as well as any excess screen.

Now you can lay out the new screen spline, starting at the lower left corner of the frame. Start by moving it to the edges. Once the spline is in position, run your screen rolling tool over it several times to push it tightly into the groove of the frame. Then trim any excess screen and spline with your utility knife, making sure not to cut the interior of the window frame. Also, check the spline for distortions or ripples and adjust the screen as needed.

3. Leaking Seals

If you see water building up around the patio door or becoming stuck between the glass panes, it's an obvious sign that your seals and frames are deteriorating. This can cause mold and rot, not to mention increased energy costs due to air leakage and drafts.

Poorly installed flashing and caulking can lead to leaky seals. It is crucial to employ an experienced professional who is able to install patio doors and ensure that the frame is properly caulked and flashed.

You'll want to fill in any cracks or gaps with caulking that is suited to your specific type of weather. For example, if you live in a humid area such as Ontario it is important to choose a caulking that is resistant to humidity.


Another common cause of leaking seals is when the shims beneath the door frame are not put in the right place. These are usually made of wood and keep the sheathing level with the framing. But in the event that they aren't installed correctly, they could cause a gap, which could allow moisture to enter your home.

Spraying the frame using a garden nozzle or hose is an excellent method to test seals. If you notice the presence of a mist in these areas, call an expert who will come and take a closer examination of the installation. It's possible to add a few caulks or change the shims. Either way, addressing these issues quickly can prevent costly repairs and further damage later on. It is always better to fix your patio door or frame before it's too late than to put off repairs.

4. Warped Frame

When wood is exposed to outside factors, like a change in humidity, it can absorb and lose moisture, which could cause the frame to become warped. A sagging frame could make it difficult to operate the door, and eventually cause damage or even failure. This is particularly the case for doors that divide basements and garages that are damp from living areas.

A few minor repairs can generally correct a frame that is warped. Start by examining the frame to ensure that all screws and bolts have been tightened and secured. Replace any loose or missing screws. Then, replace the hinge screws with larger ones that are at least 2 inches long. This will allow the screw to get into the wall framing instead of the door jamb, which pulls the frame back in place.

You can also include shims. These are thin pieces that can be put on top of the hinges. This will allow you to tweak how the frame is positioned. Shims can help support the frame and distribute the weight evenly over the larger area. This will stop the frame from getting more distorted over time.

You might consider hiring an expert to repair more serious frame warps. A professional can conduct a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the problem and offer a complete repair solution. They can also install additional bracing to reinforce the frame and help prevent it from sagging in the future. This is typically an easier and more durable solution than buying new patio door components. If the frame has been significantly warped, you may require replacing the entire jamb of the door, not just the actual door.

5. Cosmetic Damage

Over time, patio doors can experience a fair amount of wear and tear. Surface damage can make your patio doors appear less appealing, and affect the aesthetics of your home. The good news is that most cosmetic damage can be fixed using bonding fillers and paint. If the door has large cracks or dents, it is recommended to replace it instead of trying to repair it.

Similar to the seal around windows, doors' weatherstripping can become less effective as time passes. This can cause gaps that allow air from outside to get into your home, causing an increase in energy bills. A professional repair service for doors can install new weatherstripping in order to decrease energy loss and improve insulation.

Moisture in the exterior of a door is always a problem, but it's especially dangerous when it comes to your patio doors. The moisture could cause wood rot, which can be costly and difficult to fix. Water leaks should be repaired immediately by a professional.

Over time, a patio door can be misaligned as a result of normal use or foundation changes. This can cause the doors to become jammed or difficult to open and close. A technician can realign hinges and tracks for smooth operation. They can also replace worn-out rollers and hinges to restore their functionality.

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