More often than not, sliding doors are now deemed as a beautiful addition to many Australian homes. They are a welcoming sight to see and a great transition from the indoors to the outdoors and vice versa. As with any other home feature, sliding doors are not exempted to the occasional repair and replacement. The trick is to address any problem to avoid further damage. Luckily, below are the common problems and solutions for sliding doors.
Bent or Damaged Track
Some of the functional issues start when the track is damaged or obstructed. You will often hear a scraping sound. This is when the track is getting stripped and making it harder and hard to slide smoothly. Partitions that are loose or damaged are dangerous and need to be repaired or replaced. In some cases, the track must be straightened and in many cases, we replace them completely.
A bent metal can impede the sliding of your glass door. If the tracks are bent inward, they will pinch the roller and stop the door from moving. If the tracks are bent outward, you may accidentally pull the door right off the track. For an inward bend, use a pair of strong pliers to bend the track back into place. If the tracks are bent out, get a rubber mallet and small block of wood. Place the block of wood against the bent track, and carefully hammer the track back into place. The block of wood will distribute the force of the blow to a broader area, but always be sure to tap gently and remove the door to prevent major damages.
Dirty Rollers
The rollers are at the section of the bottom part of the door that allows it to easily slide along the track. If you are finding it very difficult to slide the door open and closed, the rollers may just be dirty. If the rollers are dirty, attach the thin crevice tool to your vacuum and use it to remove any major debris. After vacuuming, take a wet paper towel and scrub away any of the dirt that was left.
Mismatched Wheels
If the rollers on your sliding glass door are mismatched, the whole door will jump off the track. To repair this problem, you will need to adjust the bottom screws holding the roller wheels in place. To raise the door, turn the screws clockwise. To lower the door, turn the screws counterclockwise. For an even adjustment, make sure to adjust both sides of the sliding glass door.
Rusted or Broken Roller
Repairing the roller is no easy task. You will need to remove both the stationary door and the sliding glass door. Once the sliding glass door is removed, unscrew the roller and take it to your local hardware store and purchase a new roller. Once you install the new roller, re-mount the sliding glass door and adjust the wheels to the correct height. Finally re-mount the stationary doors and take the proper steps to secure the door.
Broken Glass
A broken glass door is not only a safety concern, but it can also leave your home vulnerable to potential criminals. Repairing the sliding door requires you to remove the glass from the seal, clean up more broken pieces, and then fit and seal a new window. This can be time consuming, and pose a risk of injury and expensive costs if you make an error.
Hire a Professional
Although it is very satisfying to fix things in your home on your own, repairing a sliding door may end up being a time-consuming and overly difficult task. Instead of causing more problems for yourself with a DIY fix, call the professionals at Premium Sliding Doors. We have the experience you need for all of your sliding door replacements and repairs.
