10 Healthy Patio Door Track Repair Habits

How to Fix Sliding Patio Door Track Repair Sliding patio doors are easy and attractive, but in time, they may develop issues that make them difficult to operate. patio door repair are often caused by damaged or dirty tracks or rollers. These can be fixed with WD-40 and a good cleaning. Suck up any heavy dirt or debris using a vacuum cleaner, then scrub the track with a brush and cleaning solution, while periodically sliding the door back and forth. Then, apply a silicone-based lubricant to reduce friction. Repairing Dented Tracks Patio doors are a beautiful addition to any home, but when they stop sliding or don't open properly, it can be a gruelling experience. The good news is that in a lot of situations, a few simple steps can assist your sliding door get back to smooth operation. A major reason for a jammed or difficult to move door is a accumulation of dirt within the track channels. To remedy this problem, you must remove the door from the track. Clean it thoroughly. To get to the deep dirt, you can use a toothbrush or similar tool to get rid of it. Once the track is clean and dry, a silicone-based lubricant may be applied to avoid future issues. It's also crucial to examine the rollers for damage or misalignment. The rollers are located at the bottom of the doors and help guide them along the track. If they are damaged or misaligned the doors will be more difficult to move and may require replacement. You should also visually inspect the tracks for bends or dents. Inward bends may be a nuisance and can bind a door, whereas outward bends can throw the rollers away or derail them. If you notice bent areas of the track you can straighten them using pliers, a hammer or a piece of wood. However, severe bends may require professional repair or replacement. If these easy solutions don't work, you might need to replace the track. In this situation, you can buy kits at most hardware stores to allow you to fix an entirely new track on the old one. The track replacement kits are available in a variety of lengths, and they can also be cut to fit the specific door. It's an excellent idea to get it checked out to check if your track is bending or breaking, or is showing signs of wear. The professionals can usually identify the issue and offer a safe and effective solution. Repairing Broken Tracks In most cases the patio door that is stuck or difficult to move is the result of dirt or damage to the track. Dirt and debris build up over time. If your tracks are bent or damaged, they may need repair or replacement by a professional. There are ways you can determine the issue and fix it yourself. First, examine the track to make sure it is not obstructed by any other factor than rust or dust. If the track is obstructed by anything other than rust or dust cleaning it thoroughly with a brush using mild detergent should remove obstructions and restore smooth movement. Then, examine the rollers for any signs of catching or sticking. A damaged or broken roller can cause the door to become stuck and could result in further damage to the track which may require repair or replacement by a professional. If the rollers are not damaged, you might be able solve the problem by oiling them. A silicone-based lubricant may help reduce friction between the tracks and the rollers and make it easier for the door to slide. A misaligned roller can also cause your sliding door to stick or become difficult to operate. To fix this, locate the screws that adjust the rollers and adjust them until they are properly aligned with the track. Weather stripping that has worn out can also cause patio doors to be stuck or hard to move. You can easily replace it by removing the weather stripping from the bottom of the fixed panel and the jamb using an screwdriver, then taking the old strip away and sinking the new one. If the track has been severely bent, give it to an experienced patio contractor. They will be able to fix the issue and ensure the track is held in place without further damage or bending. However, if your track is just slightly bent or kinked, try to straighten it with a pair of metal-bending pliers. If you are unable to straighten the track on your own make use of a mallet made from rubber and a block of wood to hit the bent section of the track until it's completely straight. Repairing Damaged Rollers Rollers are often the reason behind noisy sliding patio doors or difficulty in rolling. As time passes, the rollers become stiff and filthy. This causes the door to rub the track and create noise. To resolve the issue clean the track on the bottom first and then lubricate your rollers. When the rollers are clean, you can put the door back on its tracks. Reattach any clips or braces used to hold the door in position after it was removed from its frame. Sliding patio doors are generally heavy, so it's best to have a friend assist you in lifting the door and then tilt it toward you and then release it from the bottom track. Set the sliding patio door on a solid, flat surface such as a sawhorses or table. Remove any removable grilles or shades from the doors. Remove any screws holding the head stop molding (Photo 2). This step may not be required on some older doors made of aluminum, but it is recommended if you have it. Then, take off the screws that adjust the height of rollers at both sides of the door frame. This screw regulates the height of the rollers by turning it clockwise. This lowers the rollers, while turning it counterclockwise raises them. It is a good idea to have a friend close by to assist you in disengaging the rollers. You'll require tools such as an screwdriver with Phillips heads and pry-bars or a rigid putty knife to accomplish this. Once the rollers are free, you can clean them by taking off the dust cap and getting rid of any debris that has accumulated on the wheel's mechanisms. Then, clean the surfaces of the rollers with alcohol to get rid of any residue or dirt. After the rollers have been cleaned, lubricate them with a silicone-based lubricant that resists dirt and helps keep them moving effortlessly. Install the door by first putting the top of the door into the track, and then swinging in the bottom. It is crucial to install the new rollers properly to ensure that they are at their highest position inside the frame of the track. This will allow the door to slide smoothly into place without rubbing against the tracks. Repairing Damaged Wheels Most often, a patio door drags because the wheels are worn out. Examine both sets of wheels and replace them if needed. Also, clean the tracks to keep the grit from damaging the wheels. Straighten bent tracks using pliers, or by hitting blocks of wood against the bent part using a hammer. If the tracks are damaged, you can try covering the track sill. Installation is easy and takes less than an hour.