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How to Repair a Sliding Patio Door A variety of issues can make it difficult to operate sliding patio doors. Luckily, most of these problems are easily solved. Cleaning your sliding patio door will fix it the easiest. You'll want to use a brush and soapy water to thoroughly clean the tracks. Then, you can apply lubrication to the tracks to improve their performance. 1. Tracks that are damaged or dirty Dirt and debris in the track are the primary reason for sticky patio doors. Pine straw, bird droppings, sand and salt from winter roads and other things can block the track. It is essential to regularly clean and lubricate your sliding doors. Put on some rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes. Use a shop vacuum or a brush to clean any gunk that has escaped. Then, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in spray bottles. Spray a small coating of the solution onto your cleaning brushes and scrub the track and sill. Rinse the area, and dry it off with paper towels to avoid scratching or further damage to the track and sill. After the tracks have been cleaned, use a toothbrush to scrub the areas that are stuck. You can also sand down rough spots on the bottom track, and then re-lubricate your rollers to restore smooth operation. Another reason for a sticky door is a misaligned roller that can be corrected by altering the height and positioning of the rollers. If you are replacing the weather stripping, it's a good idea to do so to ensure that it fits snugly and to increase the efficiency of your energy. Leaks from the track is also a serious problem that can cause mold growth and structural damage to your home. It is possible to fix the problem yourself when the leak is restricted to a single section of the track. Simply replace the joint. If the issue is widespread, it's best to call in an expert to fix the patio door. 2. Broken or Torn Screen A patio door that doesn't allow for efficient airflow can make your home feel stale and uncomfortable. It can also be a welcoming entry point for mosquitoes and pests. It is important to call a professional when you spot an unfinished screen or fog in between the glass panes. If you have an old screen that is hanging on your patio door, it's simple to replace it with a new one. Screen material can be found in pre-measured rolls that should fit most common door sizes. It's also available as complete screen repair kits that contain the screen along with spline, roller and spline all in a single package. Installing a new screen begins by placing the new material on a firm surface. Then, use your scissors to cut the screen to length to the point that about an inch or two of the screen is overlapped on each side of the frame. Then, take patio door repair and any screen that's left from the window frame using your utility knife. Now you can lay down the new screen spline beginning at the bottom left corner the frame, and work your way around the perimeter. Once the spline is in place, run the screen rolling tool over it several times to push it into the groove of the frame. Cut off any excess spline or screen with your utility blade, taking care not to cut the inside frame of the window. Check the spline and see whether there are any ripples or distortions. Adjust the screen if necessary. 3. Seals that leak If you notice that water is pooling or trapped between the glass panes of your patio door, it is an indication that the frame and seals have lost their strength. This can lead mold and decay, and increased energy bills because of air leakage and drafts. Leaking seals are usually caused by improperly installed caulking or flashing. To avoid this from happening, it's crucial to work with an experienced professional who has expertise installing patio doors and will make sure that the frame is properly caulked and flashed. You'll want to seal any cracks or gaps with caulking that is suited to your specific type of weather. For example, if you live in a humid area such as Ontario it is important to choose a caulking that is resistant to humidity. The shims that are placed under the door frame can also cause leaks. They are typically made of wood and help keep the sheathing at a level with the framing. However when they aren't installed correctly, they could create a gap which allows moisture to get into your home. One way to test the seals by spraying the frame using an hose or garden nozzle. If you see a mist coming through these areas, call an expert to come in and conduct a thorough inspection of the installation. You may only need to apply a bit of caulking or replace the shims. In either case, fixing the issue fast will avoid future damage and costly repairs. It is always better to repair your patio door or frame before it's too late to put off repairs. 4. Warped Frame When wood is exposed outside forces, such as a change of humidity, it could absorb or lose moisture, which could cause warping. A frayed frame can make it difficult to operate the door and ultimately cause damage or failure. This is especially relevant for doors that separate garages and basements with damp living spaces. A few minor repairs are able to generally correct a frame that is warped. Begin by checking the frame to ensure that all screws and bolts have been tightened and secured. Replace any loose or missing screws. Replace the hinge screws by longer ones, preferably 2 inches or more. This allows the screw get into the wall framing instead of the door jamb, which will pull the frame back into position. You can also try adding shims, which are thin pieces of wood that can be placed behind the hinges to adjust the position of the frame. Shims can help support the frame, and distribute the weight evenly across a larger area. This will prevent the frame becoming more warped with time. For more severe frame warps, you might want to think about hiring a professional to fix the issue. A professional can perform an exhaustive inspection to determine the severity of the problem and offer a complete repair solution. They can also install bracing in order to strengthen the frame to prevent it from sagging. This is typically the most durable and cost-effective option than purchasing new patio door components. If the frame has significantly warped, you may have to replace the entire jamb of the door, not just the actual door. 5. Cosmetic Damage Over time, patio doors will be subject to a lot of wear and tear. Damage to the surface can make your doors look less appealing, and impact the overall appearance of your home. The good news is that the majority of cosmetic damage can easily be repaired with bonding fillers and paint. If the door has huge cracks or dents, it is best to replace it rather than trying to repair it. Like the seal around windows, a door's weatherstripping may become less effective over time. It could result in gaps that allow outside air to infiltrate your home, which leads to higher energy bills. A professional door repair specialist can install new weatherstripping to decrease energy loss and increase insulation. Moisture on the exterior of your door isn't good news, but patio doors are particularly susceptible to it. This moisture can lead to wood rot that is costly and difficult to fix. The best method to protect your home is to have any leaks fixed immediately by a professional trained to do so. Over time, a patio door can be misaligned due to normal use or foundation changes. This could cause the doors to jam or become difficult to open and close. Technicians can adjust hinges and tracks for smooth operation. They can also replace worn hinges and rollers to restore proper functionality.