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Patio Doors Repair – How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors create a convenient and comfortable transition between your outdoor and indoor space. They can also save you money on heating and cooling bills by keeping air within your home. Over time, the luster of your sliding glass or French door can fade. Simple repairs can keep your sliding glass or French doors looking and functioning like new. Weatherstripping It's 5 AM and you're letting your dog out for his morning jog when you stumble into an emerald-colored pool of water right near your sliding patio doors. You look around and realize that the rain of last night ripped through the patio door seals. This is not going to be a simple task. With a bit of patience and a few basic tools, you can fix it and keep your dog's feet from becoming wet and cold. The most important thing is to replace the weatherstripping, which seals the gap between the door and the jamb, preventing drafts, pests and moisture. It also helps keep your energy bills lower. If you look at your windows and door, you will be able to tell whether the weatherstripping should be replaced or not. There are a variety of weatherstripping, such as felt, open-cell foam, vinyl, thermoplastic rubber and metals like bronze and copper. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Foam and open-cell foam are not expensive, but they also tend to be visible and not effective at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive but it's durable and resists moisture. Rubber is a great material for high-traffic areas because it doesn't wear out as quickly. For installing new weatherstripping, you must first remove the patio doors from the frame using a screwdriver to loosen the roller adjustment screws. Then using a flathead screwdriver, unscrew the plugs that secure the weatherstripping on the bottom of the frame. Remove the weatherstripping you have previously removed from the frame and clean any adhesive remnants. Then, trim the new to the appropriate length, then peel off the plastic strip at one end, and then apply it with a putty knife to the jamb. After that, you can reinstall the door and adjust the roller screws so that the door is in the track and shuts properly. Then, apply waterproof caulk to the place that the stationary panel passes through the sliding door, and where the edge of the stationary panel reaches the frame. This is a less secure seal than weatherstripping but should be able to last for a period of time. Handles and locks Patio door handles and locks are crucial to the security of your home. As time passes, they may get worn or damaged and require replacement. Additionally, the spindle which connects the exterior and interior handles could also require to be replaced. To replace a handle on a patio door, you must remove the old one first by taking off any screws that hold it in place. After removing the handle, use a level and make sure that the patio door is straight. If the door is not straight it could hinder the lock and cause issues later on. Close and open the handle several times after installing it to make sure it's working correctly. If you experience any issues, you should consult the instructions of the manufacturer or a hardware specialist for assistance. It's recommended to keep the lock mechanism lubricated by using a silicone-based oil to avoid any future issues. The most commonly used type of patio door lock is a mortise latch. It's usually constructed of steel and is placed inside a pocket carved into the door frame. These kinds of locks are used on aluminum and wood sliding doors. Before you purchase a new mortise lock it is important to take some measurements. You'll need to know the location of mounting holes and the location in the lock of the keyway. Certain patio door handles come with an locking mechanism that is built into the handle. They have a rectangular key cylinder that can be fitted in the handle's keyway. If you have this type of patio door both the outside and inside locks are combined into one. This kind of patio door is commonly found on aluminum sliding doors. If your patio door latch does not stay locked, the lock tongue may not be catching the hasp in the right way. Another possibility is that your sliding door isn't parallel to the jamb's side. Open the door an inch, and spot it against the frame. This will reveal the gap between the door jamb and the door. If there is, adjust the rollers on the left or right sides of the patio door until you can get it in perfect alignment with the jamb. Misalignment Over time, the rollers and tracks of the door can lose their alignment. This could cause the door to become stuck or become difficult to move. This could also allow drafts and cold air into your home, reducing energy efficiency. Fortunately, misalignment is simple to fix and avoid. Simply applying a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers and tracks will allow your doors to move smoothly again. This is a great idea in order to ensure that your doors are operating at their peak. Another issue that is common to patio doors is a ripped screen, which can be an inconvenience or even a security risk. In addition, it can hinder the doors from opening and closing correctly, which could lead to loss of energy. In some cases the damaged screen can be repaired, however, in some cases it's necessary to replace the entire door. If you're experiencing a tear in your screen, make sure you clean it thoroughly and make sure not to turn the handles of the door in the wrong way when closing and opening. Over time, hinges will become loose due to normal wear and tear or excessive usage. Regularly tightening the screws will aid in fixing this issue and ensure your doors close securely. This is an easy task that can be done by yourself, however if you're not comfortable doing it, seek out an expert to ensure that your doors are properly aligned and secure. It's also a good idea to clean your patio doors tracks and rollers. A simple brushing or vacuuming can remove dirt and dust that might interfere with the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can utilize a special tool for stubborn dirt or rust. The inspection and tightening of the screws on the hinges may aid in re-alignment, but sometimes it's necessary to replace them completely to ensure a secure, solid seal. If your patio doors' frames are warped or sagging it can affect their alignment and performance. Shifting or warping can be caused by foundation issues, but it could also result due to poor installation or regular use. A professional can repair or replace the frame of your patio door and ensure that it is properly aligned, allowing it to perform optimally. Rollers Patio doors that slide open are ideal for letting the outside in and providing plenty of natural light, but they require some maintenance to keep them sliding smoothly. If you find yourself having to pull the handle to get the door to move, or it doesn't move as smoothly as it used to, it could be the rollers. Over time the lower track can fill with dirt, sand, and mud that makes it hard for the rollers to roll across. Clean it and spray it with a lubricant such as 2Slick to determine if it helps. If the tracks are cleaned and the rollers still don't glide freely It's time to replace the tracks. There are many replacement rollers that will suit your door and type of track you have. They can be found at many hardware stores, however you'll require a companion to assist you in the removal and installation of the rollers. Before ordering replacements, get an accurate picture of the roller assembly mounted in the door frame, so the experts can identify the specific model and type you require. They can also look for specific characteristics like bumps, dimples, flared edges, and cut-outs which can narrow down replacement options. After replacing the rollers you will need to reinstall the sliding door into its frame. Get help with this one as the door is quite heavy. Start by examining to make sure there aren't any screws securing the track in position on either side of the frame. Also, make Repair My Windows And Doors that they are loose enough to allow the door's bottom to slide down into the channel that is on the top of the frame. Remove the screen door from the opening. Make sure that it is free of track rollers, track and track. When the new rollers are installed then carefully insert the door into the frame and then swing it into place. If your rollers are adjustable, you can adjust them to ensure that the door has enough clearance.