Imagine waking up on a Saturday and enjoying your morning coffee out on the lanai. You brew some coffee, pour a cup, and open the sliding glass door to get to the lanai.
The only problem is the sliding door won’t budge. When you finally do get the door to move, you spill your coffee. Not a great start to the morning.
Luckily, you can unstick a sliding door. Read on to learn about some common problems with sliding glass doors and how to solve them.
The Sliding Glass Door Is Hard to Open
When a sliding glass door is hard to open, dirty tracks are usually to blame. Debris like dust, bugs, and pet hair can get stuck in the tracks of the door.
Use the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner to suck up as much dirt and debris as you can. Then test the door to see if it slides any better. If not, you can use a toothbrush to clean out the dirt you couldn’t reach with the vacuum.
If it’s still hard to open, you might need to adjust the roller height. Remove the small round caps on the door to reveal the roller adjustment screws.
Use a screwdriver to turn the screws a quarter turn. Turning the screw clockwise will raise that part of the door and a counterclockwise turn will lower it.
Check the door to see if it looks square within the frame. If not, make small adjustments to each screw until the door looks even.
The Sliding Glass Door Is Noisy When It Slides
If your sliding glass door squeaks, it means that the track and the rollers need lubrication.
First, wipe off or vacuum the track. Then, spray the track with a silicone-based spray lubricant. It will lubricate the track without making a mess or attracting more dirt.
If the door still squeaks, you can lubricate the rollers. You’ll notice small round caps at the top and bottom of the door. These caps cover the roller adjustment screws.
Spray the silicone lubricant onto the screws and put the caps back on. Slide the door back and forth and it should stop squeaking.
The Sliding Glass Door Won’t Close All the Way
If your sliding glass door won’t close, it could be a problem with the latch. First, try spraying some oil lubricant on the latch.
You might also need to replace the latch system. Use a screwdriver to remove the latch and catch it before it falls inside the frame. Bring the latch to the hardware store so you can find the right replacement.
If the latch works but the sliding glass door doesn’t stay closed unless it’s locked, you can use magnets to close the door. This will keep the sliding door shut when it’s unlocked. That way you can close the door when you go outside and you won’t have to worry about locking yourself out.
Get Your Sliding Glass Doors Replaced Today
If you’ve tried troubleshooting and you’re still having issues with your sliding glass door, it’s time to call a professional. A skilled installer will know how to fix common problems with sliding glass doors.
The best way to prevent sliding glass door problems is to install high-quality doors. To get a sliding door replacement from an experienced installer, contact us today.