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Patio Doors Repair – How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors can provide a convenient and comfortable transition between your home and outdoor space. By keeping air inside your home, they could save you money on heating or cooling costs. Over time the shine of your sliding glass or French door may fade. Simple repairs can keep your sliding glass or French doors looking like new. Weatherstripping It's 5 am and you're taking your dog out for his morning jog when you step into the puddle of water near the sliding patio doors. You turn around and see that the rain from last night has blown through the seals of your patio doors. This isn't going to be an easy project. With a little patience and a few basic tools to fix it, you can get it fixed and prevent your dog's feet from becoming wet and cold. It is essential to replace the weatherstripping that closes the gap between your door and jamb. This will prevent drafts, pests, and moisture. This will also keep your energy bills down. If you look at your doors and windows you can tell if the weatherstripping needs to be replaced or not. There are several types of weatherstripping that you can choose from such as open-cell and felt foam, thermoplastic rubber, as well as metals like bronze or copper. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Open-cell foam and felt are not expensive however they tend to be noticeable and ineffective at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive, however, it's more durable and resistant to moisture. Rubber is a great material for areas with high traffic since it won't deteriorate as quickly. To install new weatherstripping, first remove the patio door from the frame by loosening the roller adjustment screws with the help of a screwdriver. Then, using a flathead screwdriver, remove the plugs that hold the weatherstripping in place at the bottom of the frame. Remove the weatherstripping you have previously removed from the frame, and then remove any adhesive remnants. Then, cut the replacement to the correct length, then peel back the plastic strip at one end and apply it to the jamb using the putty knife. After that, you can reinstall the door and re-adjust the roller screws until the door is in the track and is closed properly. Then, apply waterproof caulk to the place where the stationary panel bypasses the sliding door and where the edge of the stationary panel meets the frame. This is a less secure seal than the weatherstripping, however, it will last for a few days. Handles and locks Locks and handles for patio doors are essential to the security of your home. Over time, they may get damaged or worn out and require replacement. The spindle connecting the interior and exterior handles could also need to be changed. To replace a patio door handle, first remove the old one by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place. After you have removed the old handle, use a level and make sure that the door is straight. If patio door jammed isn't straight it could hinder the lock and cause problems later on. Close and open the handle a few times after installation to ensure it is working properly. If you have any issues, check the manufacturer's instructions or a specialist in hardware for assistance. It is recommended to grease the lock mechanism by using a silicone-based oil to avoid any future issues. The most popular type of patio door lock is a mortise lock. It's typically made of steel and sits in a pocket cut into the door frame. These kinds of locks are used on aluminum and wood sliding doors. When replacing a mortise lock, it is important to take a few measurements before purchasing a new lock. It is essential to know the location of the mounting holes as well as the location in the keyway lock. Some handles for patio doors have an integrated locking mechanism that's integrated into the handle. The handles are rectangular key cylinder that fits in the handle's keyway. This kind of patio door comes with the exterior and interior locks in one unit. This type of patio door is often found on aluminum sliding doors. If your patio door latch doesn't stay locked It could be due to the lock tongue isn't grasping the hasp of the jamb correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door is not fully parallel to the jamb on the side. You can open the door for one inch and then position it against the frame. This will show you whether there is a gap between the door jamb and the door. If there is a gap, adjust the rollers at the bottom left or the right side of the patio to make it perfectly parallel to the jamb. Misalignment Over time the tracks and rollers will lose their proper alignment. This could cause the doors to become stuck or difficult to move. It can also allow drafts and cold air into your home, reducing energy efficiency. It is possible to correct the misalignment and prevented. Simply applying a silicone-based lubricant to the tracks and rollers will allow your doors to move smoothly once more. This is a good idea for those who want to keep your doors running at their peak. Another issue that is common to patio doors is a ripped screen, which can be an inconvenience or even a safety hazard. Additionally, it could prevent the doors from closing and opening correctly, which could lead to energy loss. In some cases the damaged screen can be replaced, however in other cases, it's best to replace the entire door. If you're experiencing a torn screen, make sure you clean it thoroughly and be sure not to turn the handles of the door in the wrong way when closing and opening. Hinges may loosen as time passes due to heavy use or normal wear. This can be corrected by tightening screws regularly. This is an easy task that you can do by yourself, however if you're not comfortable doing it, seek out an expert to make sure your doors are correctly aligned and secure. It is also recommended to clean the rollers and tracks of your patio doors frequently. A simple brushing or vacuuming can remove dirt and dust that might interfere with the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can use a special tool to remove stubborn dirt or corrosion. Checking and tightening the hinges' screws can aid in alignment however, sometimes it's necessary to replace them completely to ensure a strong, solid seal. If your patio doors' frames are sagging or warped, this can affect their alignment and performance. The warping or shifting may occur due to changes in the foundation of your home, but could be caused by poor installation or simply due to frequent use. A professional can fix or replace the frame of your patio door and ensure it's properly aligned, allowing it to perform at its best. Rollers The sliding patio doors can be ideal for bringing the outside in and let in plenty of light, however they require some maintenance to ensure that they're moving smoothly. If you notice that you need to really pull the handle to get the door to move, or isn't as easy to slide as it did in the past then the problem could be the rollers. As time passes, the lower track may become clogged with dirt, sand and mud that makes it difficult for the rollers to roll across. You can clean it and spray it with a lubricant, such as 2Slick to see if that helps. If the tracks have been cleaned but the rollers not moving freely, it's time to replace them. Replacement rollers are available for your door and track type. You can buy these at most hardware stores however you will need someone to assist you in removing and install the rollers. Before ordering replacements, get an image of the roller assembly mounted in the door frame, so the experts can identify the exact model and the type you require. They can also look for identifying features such as bumps or dimples or cutouts, flared edges or cutouts to narrow down your replacement options. Once the rollers are replaced after which you'll have to put your sliding door into its frame. Get some help with this one as the door is heavy. Start by examining to make sure there aren't any screws holding the track in place on either side of the frame and that they are loose enough to allow the door's bottom to slide into the channel that is on top of the frame. Remove the screen door from the opening. Make sure it's clear of the track rollers, track and track. After the new rollers are installed place, carefully slide the door into the frame and then swing it back into position. If your rollers are adjustable you can adjust them to ensure that the door has enough clearance.