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Tilt and Slide Patio Door Repairs

A tilt and slide patio door that works well brings fresh air and light into your home, and allows for effortless moving from indoors to outdoor. Modern aluminum doors offer strength and durability along with thermal stability and a variety of glass options to suit an array of styles.

One of the most frequent problems with sliding doors is the dirty tracks and rollers. Cleaning and lubricating these moving parts regularly can ensure that your door functions well.

Track and Roller Replacement

Tracks and rollers are principal components of sliding doors. They are located at the bottom of a door panel made of aluminum and are seated on a raised track that guides them when they open and close. Over time, dirt and dust in the tracks can cause them to get blocked. This can result in the rollers becoming damaged. Keep your patio door lubricated and clean to avoid these issues.

Unless the track is badly bent, it's usually possible to fix the track and rollers, without removal of the door. You can ask a friend to assist you in lifting the panel off the bottom track by tilting it towards you (Photo 3). This could take some effort since the panels are heavy. After the panel has been removed, lay it flat on sawhorses to inspect the rollers. If they're damaged replace them with a new roller assembly. You can alter the height of the rollers by turning the adjustment screws, which are typically found in slots along the edge of the panel.

If the rollers are in good condition, they may simply require to be cleaned or lubricated. Use a screwdriver to remove the rollers and clean each one with denatured alcohol. This will get rid of any dirt or grime that may be causing the resistance. Then, carefully position each roller back into its slot, and then fully retract it using the adjustment screw. Then, last but not least, spray the rollers with silicone spray. This type of lubricant won't collect dirt like petroleum-based products, and will make your door move smoothly.

After cleaning the rollers and installing them, you can reinstall the door and test it to ensure the track is in alignment with the rollers and that the doors are smoothly sliding. If you have any additional issues, you can contact a local door dealer for assistance. Keeping your doors clean and lubricated can help them last longer and reduce the need for repairs. We recommend a lubricant made of silicone, as it will not draw dirt as WD-40. It is recommended that you lubricate your tracks and rollers at least once a month.

Replace insect screens





Patio doors that slide open are a great way to maximize floor space, create airflow and allow in beautiful panoramic views. They can however become problematic when the mechanism isn't working properly or has stopped moving completely. Fortunately, most issues with sliding screen doors can be easily fixed. Dirty rollers caused by debris in the track, or a wrinkly window are among the most common issues. However they can be fixed by following these easy steps.

If your screen is sliding or is wrinkling, first lay the frame on an unfinished work surface. Then slip a 1x4 block under each end to create some slight bows in the middle. This will help to pull the screen tighter and straighten it.

Be sure to purchase a replacement screen that is a couple of inches larger than the frame openings in both directions. You'll be able trim any excess. Also make use of a spline roller tool to push the rubber spline's end into the channel. Once you've completed this, it's time to push the rest of the spline in.

Adjusting the Panel

Instead of sliding doors that open by turning the handle, tilt and slide patio door mechanisms permit you to keep the doors open to let air circulate while keeping the kids and pets away from your home. Despite the ease of the system, the doors tend to require more force than anticipated and over time, this causes an increase in friction, uneven tracks or misalignments that can cause the door to fail. Early detection and minor adjustments are often able to solve these problems, reducing the cost of replacement hardware.

The first step to adjust a tilt-and slide patio door is to remove the panels. Set it on a flat surface. After the panels have been removed, use a screwdriver to remove the plastic hole caps from each of the adjustment rollers. After these are removed, the adjuster can be coaxed out of its channel using an extended shaft screwdriver. Once the adjustable roller is removed and placed on a flat surface, then clean it using ruby alcohol or a stronger variant like denatured alcohol. This will get rid of any dirt that causes the roller to resist and allow it to easily retract back into its channel following the process.

When you reinstall the movable panel, align it with its frame and make use of drills to drive the screws along the flange. Attach the flange securely to the door edge while ensuring that the flaps orient correctly. When the movable panel is in place, apply a small amount of silicone-based lubricant on the top track arm connector block and the lead Bogie wheel and the slave Bogie wheel and replace the plastic cap on the hole.

Repeat the process on each of the two other moveable panels to restore their slide function and then put back the flanges made of plastic. Using a plastic adhesive, glue the jamb-side strip to its respective fixed panel. Once sliding patio door repair is dry, reattach the handle and check for smooth operation. If there are still issues, adjust the lead Bogie wheel again by taking it out of its channel, cleaning and reinstalling it with a bead of silicone-based grease.

Charley Bar Installation

A patio door can be an efficient way to let your pet in and out of your home, but it can also be a point of easy entry for burglars. Install a pin lock on your patio door or a charley-bar for extra security. These devices offer a combination of convenience and security that is unrivaled by any other product available.

The Charley bar is a great option for sliding glass door, and it can be easily installed at home. The charley bars can be placed in the middle of the door to stop the door from being jibbered with objects or tools such as a hockeystick or the handle of a broom. The charley bars are made from polycarbonate tubes that have been molded in injection and extruded RPVC tubing, which makes them strong and durable.

To install the charley bar first verify that it is the right length for your door by measuring horizontally from the edge of the sliding door track to the sliding glass patio door. Then, mark the points where the charley bar will go with pencil. Utilize an eighth-inch drill to drill holes in the wall jambs and frames for patio doors, but be careful not to scratch the glass of the patio doors. Then, you can insert the screws provided with the charley bar and tighten them securely.

The charcoal bars are a great choice for sliding glass patio doors or sash windows. This simple security tool will keep your sliding patio doors safe from burglars and tampering for many years to come. It is made of injection-molded polycarbonate, and has been tested to withstand over 400 pounds of pressure by Intertek. The charley bar is also lockable using the key that comes with it. It's easy to install and hangs out of the way when it's not being used. Most hardware stores carry the charley-bar. However, if you want to get one that is sure to perform, consider purchasing a charley bar from an online retailer.