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Sliding glass patio doors look lovely, and when they are in good shape, they are also easy to operate. Unfortunately, some Dayton homeowners run into trouble with their sliding glass patio doors, especially once they start aging and deteriorating. Rest assured, many of these problems are fairly easy to fix. Keep reading to discover three common sliding glass patio door problems and how to solve them.
1. The Door Has Become Hard to Open
Your sliding glass door used to be easy to pull open, but now you feel like you really have to strain against it to get it to budge. There are a few possible explanations for this problem. One is that the door tracks are dirty. Dip a cloth in soapy water, and wipe out the tracks. Use a toothbrush to scrub away any caked-on grime. When the track is clean, apply a little WD-40 or a similar lubricant to the track. Removing the grime and adding lubrication can reduce the level of friction on the track, making the door easier to operate.
If cleaning and lubricating the track does not do the trick, you may need to adjust the rollers. Usually, you’ll find two screws at the base of the door. These screws hold the rollers in place and adjust their height. Use a screwdriver to turn the screws each 1/4 of a turn. Try opening and closing the door again. Keep adjusting the rollers, turning the screw 1/4 of a turn each time, until the rollers roll freely in the track once again.
2. The Door Won’t Latch or Lock
If your patio door won’t latch or lock closed, first make sure there is no debris in the latch mechanism that is keeping it from working properly. Then, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws that hold the door in its frame. (If these screws come loose, the door may start sagging, which prevents the lock from engaging properly.) If this does not work, apply some lubricant to the locking mechanism. You may wish to remove the locking mechanism, clean it, and then apply lubricant if you feel comfortable doing so.
3. The Glass Wiggles Within the Door Frame
This is a common issue with older, wood-framed sliding doors. As the wood starts to deteriorate, the glass becomes loose in the door frame. The glass window may rattle as you open and close the door. As you can imagine, this is not a very safe door to have in your Dayton home.
Ultimately, you will want to have the door replaced with a new, sliding glass patio door. However, in the meantime, you can stabilize the glass by pressing a strand of rope caulk into the crevice between the glass and the door sash. The rope caulk will stop the glass from wiggling and will also keep water and air from seeping through. Make sure you keep kids away from the door, and warn adults in the home not to press on the already-loose glass.
These minor sliding patio door problems are pretty simple to solve. However, if you are having bigger issues, such as collapsed rollers, deteriorating wood frames, or sagging door encasements, you should consider replacing your patio doors. Contact Renewal by Andersen to schedule a free consultation in your Dayton home or give us a call today at 866-609-5033.