The 10 Worst Patio Door Repairs Failures Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented

Tilt and Slide Patio Door Repairs

A functional tilt and slide patio door brings light, fresh air and easy movement between indoors and outdoor. Modern aluminium doors provide toughness and durability as well as thermal integrity, and a range of glass options to suit a wide variety of aesthetics.

One of the most common problems with sliding doors is the dirty tracks and rollers. Cleaning and regular lubrication of these moving parts can keep your door functioning correctly.

Track and Roller Replacement

The track and the rollers are vital for sliding doors to function. They are located at the bottom of a door made of aluminum and rest on a track that helps them open and close. Over time, dirt may cause the tracks to become blocked and the rollers be damaged. Keep your patio door lubricated and clean to avoid problems like this.

Unless your track is severely bent, it is usually possible to repair the track and rollers, without removal of the door. Get a helper and then tilt the panel towards you to lift it off the track at the bottom (Photo 3). It could require some effort to lift the panel since they are heavy. Once the panel is removed, lay the panel flat on the sawhorses to examine the rollers. Replace them if damaged with a new roller set. You can also alter the height of the rollers by turning adjustment screws -- typically located in slots near the edge of the door panel.

If the rollers are in good shape they might require cleaning or lubricated. Take the rollers off with a screwdriver and clean them with denatured ethanol. This will get rid of any caked-on dirt and grime that could be causing resistance. After carefully placing each roller into its slot completely retract it using the adjustment screw. Lastly, lubricate the rollers using a silicone spray. This type of lubricant doesn't retain dirt as petroleum-based products do and will help your door move effortlessly.

After cleaning and reinstalling the rollers you can reinstall and test the door to ensure that the track is aligned properly with the rollers. Also, ensure that the doors move smoothly. If you have any additional issues, call an expert in your area for assistance. Keep your doors clean and lubricated to extend their life and minimize the need to repair. We recommend a lubricant made of silicone because it won't attract dirt the way that WD-40 does. It is recommended that you apply lubrication to your rollers and tracks at least once a month.

Replace insect screens

Patio doors that slide open are ideal to maximize the floor space, allowing airflow while allowing panoramic views. However, they can also be troublesome if the mechanism stops working or is not functioning correctly. Fortunately, most issues with sliding screen doors can be easily resolved. Dirty rollers caused by debris in the track, or a wrinkly window are some of the most common problems. However they can be fixed with these easy steps.

If your screen is sliding or is wrinkling, first lay the frame down on a flat work surface and place a 1x4 board under each end, forming some slight bows in the middle. This will allow the screen to be pulled tight and straighten it.

Purchase a screen that is at least two inches bigger in both directions than the frame's opening. This will give you the space to trim any excess. Also make use of a spline roller tool to push the rubber spline's edge into the channel. After you've done this, you're now ready to roll the rest of the spline.

Adjusting the Panel

The tilt and slide mechanism lets you open the patio doors more to let in more air and keeps your pets, children, and other household members safe. The doors require more force to open than you think. In  sliding patio door repair  can result in increased friction and crooked tracks, or misalignments that could cause the door not to work. Finding these issues early and performing minor adjustments will often solve these issues, reducing the necessity for costly replacement hardware.

The first step in adjusting a tilt and slide patio door is to take off the panel and place it on a flat surface. After removing the panels, make use of a screwdriver to remove the plastic caps that are in the holes of each adjuster. Once the plastic caps are removed, you can make use of a long-shafted screwdriver to coax the adjuster out of its channel. Once the adjustable roller is removed and placed on a flat surface and clean it using rubbing alcohol or a stronger variant like denatured alcohol. This will get rid of any dirt that causes the roller to squeeze and allow it to retract back into its channel after the process.

When you reinstall the moveable panel in its frame and use the drill to drive the screws along the flange. Attach the flange securely to the door's edge while making sure that the flaps align correctly. Once the movable panel is in place, apply a bead of silicone-based lubricant onto the top track arm connector block, the lead Bogie wheel, and the slave Bogie wheel, and then replace the plastic hole caps.

Repeat the process on two additional moveable panels to restore their slide functionality and put back the flanges made of plastic. Using a plastic adhesive, glue the jamb-side strip onto the fixed panel. Once the glue is dry reconnect the handle and test for smooth operation. If the problem persists you can adjust the lead Bogie by removing it cleaning it, then installing it with a silicone-based grease.

Charley Bar Installation

A patio door is an efficient way to let your pet in and out of your home, however it also serves as an entry point for burglars. Install a pin lock on your patio door, or a charley-bar for extra security. These locks offer a blend of convenience, security and convenience that is unrivaled in the market.

The Charley bars are an excellent option for sliding doors and can be installed easily at home. The charley bar installs in the middle of your door and prevents the patio door from being jibbered open with tools or other objects, such as a hockey stick or broom handle. The charley bar is constructed of injection-molded polycarbonate and extruded RPVC Telescoping tubes making it tough and durable.

The installation of the charley bars requires that you first determine the length of the bar from the edge the track for sliding doors all the way to the sliding patio door. Mark the points using pencils where the bars will be erected. Utilize a drill bit that is 8 inches to make holes in the wall jamb and the frame of the patio door be careful not to penetrate the patio door glass. Then, you can insert the screws provided with the charley bar and make sure they are tightened securely.

The charley bars are a great option for sliding glass patio doors or windows made of sash. This simple security device will keep your sliding patio doors tamper-proof and burglar-proof for a long time to be. It is made from injection-molded polycarbonate and has been tested to withstand over 400 pounds of pressure by Intertek. Additionally the charley bar is able to be locked using the key included with it. It is easy-to-install and is kept away from danger when it's not being used. Most hardware stores carry a charley-bar. If you'd like to get one that is guaranteed to work, you should consider purchasing a charley bars from an online retailer.