Sliding glass patio doors are found on many homes in the back of the house as an entryway to the backyard or patio. There may come a time when your door needs to be repaired or even replaced. Most repairs and replacements are simple and can be done with someone with even basic repair knowledge. However, some specific patio door hardware and tools may be required.
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Cleaning
One of the most common problems that cause glass doors to open poorly is that the slider track gets dirty. Cleaning the tracks does not require any patio door hardware, but it does require a vacuum, some brushes, a bucket of warm water, and towels. Start by vacuuming the track. Then scrub the track and door rollers with the water and brushes and dry with the towels.
Lubing
If the patio door is still sticking after you give the track a thorough cleaning, it may require some lubrication. WD-40 or a similar lubricating product will do the trick. Simply spray a light coating of the lube on the rollers and along the track. This should do the trick.
Replacing the Roller Wheels
After lubricating the wheels and track, you may find that the wheels are still not turning. Older wheels may need to be replaced. You will have to remove the door from its mounts and purchase some additional patio door hardware. Remove the wheels and bring them to your local home improvement store. Find a similar set and replace them.
Shimming the Door
Another patio door hardware fix that is a little more complex, but manageable by most home repairers is to shim the door. While the door is removed, you may notice that parts of the door are loose, such as screws, trim, or other patio door hardware. Shimming involves removing these components and checking to see if the trim molding is perfectly cornered. A level and other carpenter’s tools are required for this.
Once you have squared the door, you can put it back together and replace it on its tracks. It should open and close much more smoothly, even if it wasn’t originally sticking that badly. Not only does shimming a door make it operate better, it also makes it much more energy efficient by sealing cracks more tightly keeping air conditioning or heating in and the hot or cold weather out.
Replacing the Handle, Lock, or Latch
Additional patio door hardware will be needed if you are planning on replacing a handle, lock, or latch. A broken handle or lock are some of the most common problems with sliding glass doors. To replace this patio door hardware, you will have to go to a hardware store and find a latch, lock, or handle that is the right size. Most of the time, replacement can be completed with just a screwdriver or some other basic tools.
Replacing the Entire Door
One of the last solutions is to just replace the entire door. There are a lot of doors to choose from at hardware and home improvement stores. If this is the option you choose and are looking to do it yourself, it is advisable that you consult with an associate at the store to make sure you have all the right measurements, patio door hardware needed, and tools that you require.
Sometimes sliding glass doors need some simple tender loving care. Most repairs and replacements can be done by anyone with some basic home repair knowledge, some fundamental patio door hardware, and simple tools. Just knowing how to conduct the repairs is the most important part.
