Common Problems
A patio door may have problems beyond just
jerks and difficulty in sliding smoothly. The door can go off the track while moving it. If there are no alignment issues with the door itself, there may be issues with the locking mechanism. Whatever the problem, the adjustments are fairly minor. Keep in mind that addressing these problems instantly is key before it gets worse.
Avoid using the doors if it’s not in good condition or it can make it worse. This could lead to expensive repairs or even replacement.
Cleaning The Tracks
The first place you should look at when you’re fixing your sliding doors is the track. Tracks accumulate a lot of dirt, debris and grime. This hinders the door from sliding smoothly. Here’s how you can clean them:
- Use an old toothbrush or a wire brush to scrape off visible dirt. Wipe the dirt with a damp rag.
- Use a vacuum for a better clean, especially in places where your brush can’t reach. A vacuum with a long and thin attachment will work best.
- After you have properly cleaned your tracks, try spraying lubricant for smooth movement.
Adjusting Screws for Alignment
There are two sets of rollers that are present at the bottom of the sliding door. There's a good chance that these rollers are misaligned. Here's what to do:
- Look for a small hole near the bottom of the door. The adjustment screws for the rollers are usually placed inside.
- Use a screwdriver and adjust the screws as required. This will raise or lower the rollers.
-
Keep doing this until your door runs smoothly again and check with every adjustment you make.
-
Make sure that any adjustment doesn’t compromise the gap and leveling. Both sides of the bottom of the door should be uniform.
Turning clockwise will lower the rollers and turning them counter clockwise, will raise them.
Removing the Doors
If problems persist even after adjusting the roller screws, it means that the rollers themselves need to be inspected. In such cases, you might have to remove the doors to assess the rollers. Here’s how you should go about making this adjustment for your patio screen door.
- Look for screws in the door frame. Use a screwdriver to turn them clockwise until the rollers release from the bottom.
- Lift the glass door upward to dislodge it from the bottom racks. Ask someone to support you by tilting the door towards the center frame and guiding the door out of the tracks.
- Carefully place the door on a flat surface that will not damage your doors. It's best to place it on a soft drop cloth.
Take this opportunity to clean your glass doors with cleaning wipes.
Cleaning the Rollers
- With a soft cloth or cotton soaked in alcohol, polish the rollers. Focus on areas that are heavy with grime or discolored.
- After you have cleaned the rollers, you can snap them back in place. Re-attach the adjustment screws and turn counter clockwise to secure a proper fit.
- Carefully carry the door back to the tracks.
- Align the door with the top racks first.
- Walk along the tracks until the door aligns with the lower track.
Maintenance is Key
Knowing how to and successfully adjusting your sliding patio doors isn’t all that difficult. However, maintaining your doors will make sure that you won’t have to make these adjustments anytime soon.
- Clean the tracks frequently. If you notice significant dirt and grime, remove it instantly to prevent it from building up.
- Use cleaning wipes to get rid of the dirt in the tracks and dry them after cleaning to avoid moisture. If you prefer a quicker dry cleaning, you may vacuum them.
- Use a lubricant spray or a bit of grease to allow for better sliding.