Patio Door Rehab and Repair

Trip to the barbecue. Kids out to play. Check the grill. Dog out. Cat in. Does this sound familiar? If it does, chances are your sliding patio door and screen got a real workout this summer.

By sprucing up your sliding patio door before the weather gets cold, you'll not only be able to get the most out of it this fall, but it will be ready for action in the spring with very little maintenance.

Super Sticky Patio Doors

Is your patio door sticking? This is one of the biggest problems homeowners face when it comes to their sliding glass patio doors and screens. There are several reasons why it may start sticking:

• There may be a good deal of dirt and debris clogging the rollers.
• Your door may be dented or damaged.
• The door might have gone out of alignment.

Un-Sticking Your Sliding Patio Door

To get your door rolling smoothly, remove it and clean the rollers, as well as the entire track area, with soap and water. Check to make sure the rollers are damage-free and spray them with a greaseless silicone. Before you replace the door, inspect both the runners and the weather-stripping to make sure everything is in good working order. After putting your door back into position, make sure only the rollers touch the track. If not, you may need to make some adjustments.

Avoiding the Problem in the First Place

While these tips will help you get your patio door in good working order, one of the best ways to avoid having problems in the future is to regularly clean the tracks of your doors with a vacuum, which will reduce the frequency of sticking in the first place.

If these tips don't resolve your door problems, it could be time to call in a pro to help you do more detailed repairs or to replace your sliding patio door.