7 Small Changes You Can Make That'll Make The Difference With Your Patio Doors Repair

Patio Doors Repair – How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors are an excellent way to connect your home with the outdoors. They provide a comfortable and convenient transition. By keeping the air inside your home, they can help you save money on cooling or heating costs. However, over time, your sliding glass or French doors could lose their luster. Simple repairs can keep your sliding glass or French doors looking like new. Weatherstripping You're walking your dog to the park around 5 am when you get in a puddle right near your sliding patio door. You turn around and see that the rain of last night blew through the patio door seals. This isn't going to be an easy project. However, with a little patience and a few tools to fix this, you can get it fixed and keep your dog safe from cold, wet feet in the process. It is crucial to replace the weatherstripping which seals off the gap between your door and jamb. This will stop drafts, pests, and moisture. This will also help keep your energy bills low. A quick inspection of your windows and doors will tell you whether the weatherstripping is in good condition or needs replacement. There are many kinds of weatherstripping that are available, including felt, open-cell foam and vinyl, thermoplastic rubber and metals like bronze and copper. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Felt and open cell foam are both inexpensive, but they tend to be ineffective and visible when blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive however, it is durable and resists moisture. Rubber is an excellent choice for areas with high traffic because it does not wear out as fast. To install new weatherstripping you must first remove the patio doors from the frame using a screwdriver to loosen the roller adjustment screws. Then, using a flathead screwscrew, unscrew plugs that hold the weatherstripping to the bottom of frame. Then, take out the old weatherstripping and scrape any adhesive from the bottom of the frame. Then, cut the replacement to the proper length, then peel back the plastic strip at one side and then apply it to the jamb with the putty knife. Reinstall the door, and adjust the roller screws to ensure it sits properly in the track. Apply waterproof caulk where the stationary panel obstructs the sliding door and where the edge of the panel joins the frame. This is a less reliable seal than weatherstripping, but it should work for some time. Locks and handles Patio door handles and locks are crucial to the security of your home. Over time, they may become worn or damaged and require replacement. The spindle that connects the interior and exterior handles can also need to be changed. To replace a handle on a patio door first, remove the old one by unscrewing any screws that hold it in place. After removing the old handle, you can use a level and ensure that the patio door is straight. If the door isn't straight it could interfere with the lock. This could lead to problems in the future. Close and open the handle several times after installing it to make sure it's functioning properly. If you experience any issues, consult the manufacturer or a hardware expert for assistance. To avoid future issues it is a good idea to also lubricate the lock mechanism using lubricant made of silicone. The most commonly used patio door lock is the mortise latch. It is typically constructed of steel and is placed inside a pocket which has been cut into the frame of the door. They are usually used on sliding wood and aluminum doors. Before you purchase a new mortise lock, you need to measure. You will need to know the location of mounting holes and the location within the keyway lock. Some handles for patio doors are equipped with the ability to lock the handle. They have a rectangular key cylinder that fits into the handle's keyway. This kind of patio door comes with the exterior and inside locks in one piece. patio door repair of patio door are typically found on sliding aluminum doors. If your patio door latch isn't latched, it could be because the lock tongue isn't catching the jamb's hasp correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door isn't parallel to the jamb's side. Try opening the door about an inch and placing it against the frame to determine if there is any gap between the door and the jamb. If there is a gap, you can adjust the rollers to the bottom left or the right side of the patio until it is perfectly parallel to the jamb. Misalignment Over time the tracks and rollers will lose their proper alignment. This can cause the door to become stuck or become difficult to move. It could also allow cold air and draughts to be able to enter your home, which can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy usage. Luckily, misalignment is easy to correct and stop. Simply applying a silicone-based oil to the rollers and tracks will make your doors glide smoothly once again. It's a good idea to regularly do this to ensure that your doors are in top operating condition. A damaged screen could also be an issue. It can be an inconvenience or even risky. It may also hinder the doors from closing and opening properly, causing energy loss. In some cases the screen can be repaired but in other cases the door needs to be replaced. If you're experiencing a tear in your screen, clean it thoroughly and be sure to avoid turning the handles of the door in the wrong way when opening and closing. Over time, hinges will loosen due to normal wear and tear or excessive usage. Regularly tightening the screws will aid in resolving this issue and ensure that your doors shut tightly. This is a simple task that you can do yourself, but if not comfortable doing it, consult a professional to ensure your doors are securely aligned and secure. You should also clean the tracks and rollers of your patio doors regularly. Simple vacuuming or brushing can get rid of dust and debris that could interfere with the smooth operation your patio doors. You can utilize a special tool to remove stubborn dirt or rust. It is possible to correct the misalignment by tightening or checking the screws. However, sometimes it is necessary to replace the hinges to ensure a long-lasting seal. If your patio doors' frames are warped or sagging it can affect their alignment and performance. Shifting or warping can occur due to changes in the foundation of your home, but could also be caused by poor installation or simply through frequent use. A professional can repair or replace the frame of your patio door and ensure it's properly aligned, allowing it to perform optimally. Rollers Sliding patio doors are great for letting the outside in while letting ample natural light, but they do require some attention to ensure they are sliding smoothly. If you find yourself having to pull the handle to get the door to move or it doesn't slide like it used to, it could be the rollers. Over time, the lower track can get clogged by dirt, sand, and mud. This makes it difficult for rollers to move. You can clean it and spray it with a lubricant like 2Slick to see if that helps. If the tracks have been cleaned and the rollers still aren't able to move freely, it's time to replace the tracks. There are many replacement rollers to match your door and the kind of track you have. They are available at the majority of hardware stores, but you'll need a friend to help with the removal and installation of the rollers. Take a picture of the rollers installed in the frame to help the experts determine the exact model and type you need. They can also look out for specific features like bumps or dimples, cutouts or flared edges to narrow down your replacement options. After replacing the rollers you'll need to put the sliding door into its frame. Get help with this one as the door is very heavy. Start by examining to make sure there aren't any screws holding the track in the frame on either side of the frame. Also, make sure that they are loose enough to allow the bottom of the door to slide into the channel that is on the top of the frame. If there's a screen door, remove it from the opening and make sure that it is free of the track and rollers. After installing the new rollers, gently slide the door into the frame. Swing it down to ensure it is secured. If the rollers are adjustable you can adjust them to ensure that the door has enough clearance.