How Do You Fix a Sliding Glass Door that Won’t Slide
Sliding doors that get stuck and don’t slide properly can be a big nuisance. Some simple repairs can make them as good as new, so whenever you face an issue with them, repair them as soon as possible otherwise, you may have to replace them. If you don’t know how to repair a sliding door installation, you can hire a professional handyman from your area or follow the guide shared below. Here are some simple ways and tips that will help you fix a sliding door that won’t slide anymore. So, let us have a look.
What Causes Sliding Doors to Stick?
Sliding It More Often
Sliding doors are prone to damage because of their excessive usage in the house. Even if you have used top-quality material, your door might take longer to break, but it will eventually. As a result, you will need sliding door installation to replace the broken door.
When the Door is Mishandled
Sliding doors possess mechanical properties, which means that they need regular maintenance. Make sure to check your doors, the track, and rollers from time to time to see if maintenance is required. But if you miss the regular maintenance, the doors get more damage. Mishandling the doors while operating them with worn-out rollers is also the cause of them sticking.
Balance Issues
Common sliding doors around the world have their one end fixed. This ensures that the doors achieve proper balance during the slide. This problem of balance will resist the doors from sliding. Even if you try to open the door with force, it can severely damage the door.
Repairing the Sliding Doors that Stick
Remove the Door
Sliding door installation services in Sunrise, FL, advise first removing the door from the track to fix the door’s problem. To do that, first, you will have to remove the adjustment screws on the rollers that hold the door with the help of a screwdriver. Then remove the cover on top of the frame; it should be as easy as unscrewing. After completing these two steps, you can carefully slide the door from the track.
Check the Alignment of the Door
Before you remove your door from its track, make sure that you check the alignment. Such a problem can be solved without removing the door from its track. But if the alignment is okay and the door is moving a little with heavy force, the problem might be with the rollers or something blocking the track.
Check for Dirt or Blocked Track
Sliding doors also stick due to the dust accumulated on their tracks. To avoid this, you must clean your door track at least once a month. After removing the cover, it is much easier to clean the traces. Make sure to clean the track from one corner to the other. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from the track. After that, you can use a brush or a rag with detergent to clean the track. Make sure you clean the top edges of the glass door as well. In the end, use a dry cloth to remove the excess water from the track.
Check the Door Rollers
After clearing the door track, it is time to check whether the rollers are working properly or not. Using a screwdriver, carefully pull out the rollers. If they appear to be damaged, it is better to replace them rather than repair them. If they are dirty, remove the dust and then wipe them down with rubbing alcohol. You can coat them with a silicone spray that repels dirt.
Lubricate the Glass Door Guide
To make sure that your doors slide smoothly, lubricate the track before reinstalling the glass panel. Sliding door installation services in Sunrise, FL, use hard wax to lubricate wooden door tracks. However, lubricants for door tracks are commonly available nowadays. However, make sure that you don’t use oil-based lubricants or greases. Also, apply a coat of grease to the door rail and the frame where the latches are located.
Reinstall the Door
Line it up with the outline at the bottom, then place it carefully on the trim. Attach the headband first, or it will fall off. Turn the door to the bolt on the side of the latch, then start readjusting the screws on the rollers to fix the door in its place.
Sliding doors look beautiful but require maintenance often. They need to be kept in the best shape if you don’t want them to get stuck while opening or closing them. If your sliding door is getting stuck, follow the simple yet effective methods shared above to repair it, or you can always call a professional handyman to do the job for you.