Tilt and Slide Patio Door Repairs
A functional tilt and slide patio door provides light, fresh air and a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors. Modern aluminum doors offer durability and strength along with thermal stability and a range of glass options for various aesthetics.
One of the most frequent problems for sliding doors is dirty tracks and rollers. Regularly cleaning and lubricating moving parts will keep your sliding door in good condition.
Track and Roller Replacement
Tracks and rollers are the principal components of sliding doors. They are housed in the bottom of the aluminum door panel and rest on a raised track that guides them as they slide open and close. Over time, dirt in the tracks could cause them to become blocked. This could cause the rollers to become damaged. Cleaning your patio door and well-lubricated can prevent these problems.
Unless your track is severely bent, it is usually possible to repair the track and rollers without removal of the door. Get a helper and then tilt the panel towards you to lift it off the bottom track (Photo 3). It might take some effort to lift the panel as they are quite heavy. After the panel has been removed, lay it flat on the sawhorses and examine the rollers. If they are damaged, replace them with a new roller assembly. You can alter the rollers' height by turning the adjustment screws which are usually located in slots on the edges of the panel.
If the rollers are in good shape they may need to be cleaned or lubricated. Remove the rollers using a screwdriver and clean them using denatured alcohol. This will get rid of any dirt or grime that might be causing the resistance. Then, carefully position each roller back into its slot, and then fully retract it using the adjustment screw. Lastly, lubricate the rollers by spraying them with silicone. This type of lubricant doesn't collect dirt like petroleum-based products, and will make your door glide smoothly.
After cleaning the rollers and reinstalling them you can install the door and check it to ensure that the track is aligned with the rollers and that the doors are smoothly sliding. Contact a local dealer if need assistance. Keep your doors clean and lubricated to extend their life and reduce the need to repair. We recommend a lubricant made of silicone, as it will not draw dirt as WD-40. It is recommended to apply lubrication to your rollers and tracks at least once per month.
Replace insect screens
Sliding patio door are great to maximize floor space, provide airflow and allow in beautiful panoramic views. They can also pose a problem if the mechanism is not functioning properly or isn't moving completely. Fortunately, the majority of issues with sliding screen doors are easily resolved. Dirty rollers due to debris in the track or a wrinkled screen are common culprits, but you can usually fix them by following these easy steps.
If your screen is looking sagging or wrinkled, you can put a 1x4 on each end of the frame to create an incline in the middle. This will help draw the screen closer and straighten it.
Be sure to buy an alternative screen that is just a few inches larger than the frame openings in both directions. This will give you room to trim off any excess. Also, make sure to press the one end of the rubber spline into the channel using an spline-rolling tool. Once you've completed this, it's time to roll the rest of the spline in.
Adjusting the Panel
Instead of sliding doors that open by turning the handle tilt and slide patio door mechanisms permit you to leave the doors open to let air circulate and keep your children or pets out of your living space. The doors require more force to open than you think. Over time it can lead to more friction and crooked tracks or misalignments, which could make the door not function as it should. A quick detection and minor adjustments can often solve these issues, and reduce the cost of replacing hardware.
The first step to adjust the tilt and slide patio door is to remove the panel and set it on a flat work surface. After the panels have been removed and set on a flat surface, you can use a screwdriver to remove the plastic caps that cover each of the adjustment rollers. After these are removed, the adjuster will be pulled out of its channel by using a long shaft screwdriver. After the adjustable roller has been removed and placed on a flat surface, then clean it with rubbing alcohol or a stronger alternative such as denatured alcohol. This will remove any dirt that is causing the roller to become resistant and let it easily retract into its channel after the process.
When reinstalling a movable panel align it with the frame and then use the drill to drive the screws along the flange. The flange must be secured tightly to the edge of the door while ensuring the flaps are properly positioned. When the movable panel is in position, apply a blob of silicone-based lubricant onto the top track arm connector block and the lead Bogie wheel, and the slave Bogie wheel, and then replace the plastic caps on holes.
Repeat the process for the remaining two movable panels to restore their slide capabilities. Install the plastic flanges. Using a plastic adhesive, glue the jamb-side strip onto its respective fixed panel. Reattach the handle once the glue has dried and check the smoothness of the operation. If there are any issues, you can adjust the lead Bogie wheel by getting it removed from its channel, cleaning it and installing it again with a small amount of silicone-based grease.
Charley Bar Installation
A patio door is a great means to let your pets in and out of the home, but it could also be a convenient access point for burglars. You can improve the security of your patio door by installing pin locks or the charley bar. These devices provide a mix of security and convenience that is unparalleled by any other product on the market.
The bar charley is a great alternative for sliding doors and can be put in place easily at home. The charley bar can be installed in the middle of your door and prevents the patio door from being jimmied open with tools or other items, like a broom or hockey stick handle. The charley bar is composed of injection-molded polycarbonate, and extruded RPVC tubes that telescoping making it tough and durable.
To install the charley bar, first make sure that it is the right length for your door by measuring horizontally from the edge of the track for sliding doors to the sliding glass patio door. Mark the points using an eraser where the charley bars will be installed. Utilize an eighth-inch drill to drill holes into the wall jambs and frames for patio doors, but be careful not to scratch the glass of the patio doors. Then you can tighten the screws that came with the charcoal bars.
The charcoal bars are a great option for sliding glass patio doors or windows made of sash. This simple security gadget will keep your sliding patio door tamperproof and secure for years to come. It is made from injection-molded polycarbonate and has been tested by Intertek to withstand over 400 pounds of pressure. The charley bar can also be lockable with the included key. It is easy to install and hangs away when not in use. sliding glass door repair Repair My Windows And Doors can buy a charley bar from most hardware stores. If you'd like to purchase one that is sure to work, consider buying a charley bar from an online retailer.