Here are some of the common sliding door problems you may experience and how to fix them.
Door is Stuck or Not Sliding
If your sliding door is stuck or difficult to slide, don't panic just yet. One reason for this could be debris build-up. Over time, your sliding door track can accumulate dirt, hair, and mud that can prevent it from sliding smoothly. One solution for this is to clean the track and rollers.
To do this, take out the door from its track. After removing the door, check the rollers to see if they're just dirty or damaged. If they are damaged, then you need to replace them. If they are just dirty, then all you have to do is clean them. Consider applying silicone spray to repel dirt.
After cleaning your rollers, reinstall them. Now, it's time to clean the tracks. You can use a vacuum to get rid of debris from the bottom of the track. After that, you can wipe it clean with alcohol. To ensure that the door will slide smoothly, you can apply paraffin wax also to help delay wear and tear.
After cleaning the tracks, you can now reinstall your door. Make sure the door is aligned properly and secured to make sure it won't fall and cause further damage.
However, if you're not confident in doing it yourself or you don't have the time to deal with it, you can always call a professional to do this for you. We offer same-day repair service for any sliding door issues you may have.
Alignment Issues
It's common for most sliding doors to have alignment issues, especially if the door is placed in areas that get the most traffic. Remove the door from its track to realign it, then reinsert it. Align the rollers at the top first, then slide or walk the bottom part of the door into place while pushing the top part of the sliding door into the track.
To allow for movement, you need to rotate the top adjustment screws. Once you have the door back in place, make sure to adjust the screws back.
Shattered Glass
Now, if your sliding door's glass is shattered, you may want to call a professional to help you out. But if you are a DIY pro, then it shouldn't be a problem if your frame is not broken.
To replace shattered glass, you need to take out the trim surrounding the glass and remove any glass remnants. Wear protective gloves to prevent you from getting cuts from shattered glass.
Be sure to measure your glass door to ensure you get the right size for replacement. To install the new glass, place it in the opening and caulk it into place. Change the trim you removed earlier and secure it using tacks. Make sure to clean any extra caulk and wipe your glass clean.
Broken Latches
If you're dealing with a broken latch, sometimes oiling it will do the trick. But if it doesn't, then you might need to replace the whole latch. To do this, remove the lock and bring it to the hardware store to make sure you buy the same version.
Read the instruction that comes with it and follow them. After installing the new latch, try the key and see if all the pieces are working properly.
