Tips & Tricks: How to Fix Sliding Glass Door Problems in 2021

Tips & Tricks: How to Fix Sliding Glass Door Problems in 2021

The heat and humidity of summer make it quite difficult to keep a sliding glass door in good condition. Dirt, moisture, and normal wear and tear may damage the door and its tracks, making it hard to open or close the door. In this guide, readers will find out about common sliding door problems, what to do to make their sliding doors operate more smoothly, and when they should call for professional advice.

Sliding glass doors do wonders for filling your home with natural light, letting the outside in and even getting fresh air circulating throughout your home. Because they’re integral to the design of your home, you’ll want to make sure they’re working safely and properly — here are the fixes for some of the most common problems.

Minimum requirement for the maintenance of sliding glass door hardware:

Track & Bearings

Using a spatula or similar (not your finger), apply a small amount (typically a 1/4 teaspoon) of white petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or similar lubricant to the inner lip of each side of the track. Ensure that the wheels pass through the lubricant and it is distributed evenly along the track. Put additional lubricant around bearings.

Lubricant reduces wear, improves smoothness and further protects against corrosion of the track and bearings. Remove all surface contaminates by wiping all visible track surfaces with a damp soft cloth and a mild detergent, then wipe clean with a clean cloth. In severe environments, apply a thin film of corrosion preventative such as CRC marine 66 or Innox, by wiping with a soft cloth moistened with one of these products.

Stainless-steel bearings are manufactured from hardening-grade stainless-steel and although this material performs considerably better than steel, it is still susceptive to corrosion unless maintained as described above.

Hangers, pivots and brackets

A light spray application of a corrosion preventative such as CRC Marine 66 or Innox, followed by a light wipe with a dry cloth to remove excess, is recommended to all hangers, pivots and brackets. Exposed surfaces should first be wiped down with warm soapy water and a soft rag, and then rinsed clean before applying preventative.

Hinges

Wipe down the visible surfaces with warm soapy water on a soft rag and then rinse off by wiping with a clean damp rag. Application of a thin film of light machine oil or one of the corrosion preventative sprays mentioned above will help to maintain the original luster of the metal finish. Be careful not to get these compounds on the timberwork itself as they may cause staining.

Flush bolts

Spray application of a suitable lubricant such as CRC Marine 66 or Innox, to the sliding glass door pin inside the bolt and to the lock cylinder is recommended. A tube attached to the nozzle will help to concentrate the spray where you want it to go. There are access holes or slots on all flush bolt products so that this can be done without removing the locks from the doors.

Solid Brass

Polished solid brass is supplied as a natural, unlaquered finish. The finish can either be left to develop a naturally aged patina or polished with any commercial brass polish.

Frequency

The procedures mentioned above need to be carried out as often as is necessary to prevent deterioration in the installed environment, however we recommend the following minimum frequency of application.

• General environments – 6 monthly
• Marine and Industrial environments – 3 monthly
• Regular maintenance is required to all hardware, even stainless steel; otherwise the manufacturer’s warranty will be voided.

Aluminum and Clad Units

Any breaches in the exterior paint coating, such as scratches, chips or areas of abrasion, must be repaired immediately. Under no circumstances can the metal be left exposed. Use only high quality materials and apply finish coat to all exposed wood surfaces as directed by the manufacturer of the finished materials. Include these unseen areas: Top of sash, Bottom of sash, Inside of handle and lock holes. Avoid applying sealers and paints to any vinyl or non-wood parts. Avoid materials that do not seal the pores of the wood. Apply at least two coats of topcoat finish.

Wood Units

Do not use waxes over the exterior finish. You should apply a sealer to the top and bottom of the door(s) every 6 months or sooner depending on the degree exposure and the climactic conditions in your area. Also, under a normal exposure it may become necessary to apply another coat of finish over the entire door once a year. We recommend that you use a lemon oil to clean the surface of the door and thereby also extending the life of the finish and door.

Glass

Glass care is more important than ever. Insulated and lowE glass require proper maintenance to ensure their complete effectiveness.

Never use any petroleum-based cleaners or caustic chemicals on your glass. Never use a razor blade, putty knife or abrasive pad to clean the glass.

• Vacuum dirt from sill and track before washing.
• Do not use a high-pressure spray nozzle when rinsing your windows after washing.
• Clean glass with a mixture of mild dish soap & water. Rinse completely with clear water then wipe dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots.
• Abrasive or caustic cleaners are never recommended because they might cause permanent damage to the finish or the glass.

With proper care and maintenance, your beautiful sliding glass doors will give countless years of smooth operation and enjoyment.

Sliding Glass Door Hard to Open?

Bent Tracks

Bent metal impedes the movement of a sliding glass door. Inwardly bent tracks will pinch rollers and stop doors from moving, while outwardly bent tracks may cause the door to derail. While minor bends can often be fixed with a pair of pliers, more severe damage should be addressed by a professional.

Dirty Sliding Glass Door Rollers

Rollers are components at the bottom of sliding glass doors that allow them to slide easily along their tracks. If homeowners find it hard to open and close the door, it may simply be due to dirt on the rollers. When the rollers get dirty, use a vacuum and a crevice tool to remove large debris before scrubbing away the rest of the dirt with a wet cloth.

Wheels in Need of Adjustment

If a sliding glass door’s rollers are offline, the entire door will jump off its track. To resolve this problem, simply adjust the screws holding the wheels in place. Turning the screws clockwise raises the door, while turning them counterclockwise lowers it. For evenness, be sure both sides of the door are adjusted. When homeowners are unsure of how to do this properly, a repair specialist can help.

Most sliding glass doors manage to get knocked off-kilter at one point or another. To realign your door in the tracks at the top and bottom of the frame, remove the door from the track and reinsert it. Make sure the rollers at the top are aligned first, then “walk” the bottom of the door into place, pushing the top of the screen door up into the track. You may need to rotate the adjustment screws at the top slightly to allow for movement. When the door is back in place, make sure to re-adjust the screws.

Broken or Rusted Rollers

Salty or moist air is tough on sliding glass door rollers, but repairing these components is quite difficult. It requires the removal of the sliding door and the stationary door. When the sliding door has been removed, unscrew the roller and replace it. Once the new roller has been installed, remount the door and adjust the wheels accordingly. Finally, remount the stationary door and secure it properly.

When to Attempt DIY Sliding Glass Door Repairs

If a sliding glass door has become difficult to open, there may be a problem with the track or the door itself. A homeowner’s first thought may be to fix it themselves, and depending on the problem, it may be possible. Door problems can often be resolved by adjusting the wheel height as mentioned above; all it takes is a screwdriver.

For issues with obstructed tracks, open the door fully and clean the track with a wire brush or vacuum it with a crevice tool. When there’s dirt in the door track, it not only makes it hard to open and close the sliding glass door, it may cause serious damage if the door jumps the track when it hits an obstruction. If the sliding glass door is still sticky after the tracks have been cleaned, use powdered graphite or silicone lubricant to ease things along.

Such problems may occur no mater whether the home has a conventional sliding glass door, pocket doors that slide into walls, or otherwise. Even doors that aren’t supposed to rust, splinter, or swell may develop problems with their locks, frames, or tracks. If adjusting the wheels and cleaning the tracks does not help, it may be necessary to call for professional help.

Call a Professional for the Best Results

Some sliding glass door issues are more serious than others and require door removal or track replacement. These jobs are a bit risky, and should be left to the professionals. Sliding glass doors are very heavy, difficult to remove, and easily broken if they’re dropped or placed on uneven work surfaces. Although sliding door tracks are quite sturdy, they won’t do their job if they’re accidentally bent during the repair process. Door systems may also have damaged locks or frames that can be rendered useless during amateur repair attempts.

A Few Closing Thoughts

Sliding glass doors are very useful and can add a touch of openness and class to any home. However, like all other moving parts, they require occasional maintenance and repairs. To prevent turning a minor repair into a full replacement project, call a local door and window contractor when there’s a problem with the home’s sliding glass doors. Installation and service experts can give honest assessments of whether they can do repairs, or whether the homeowner should choose a new door that will provide them with greater protection and increased convenience. 

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