Installing Windows in Your Home

Posted on: 24 September 2018

Sliding doors are a great source of natural light and fresh air. They can also offer benefits of extra security and energy efficiency. If you are experiencing a problem with your sliding door, such as a broken lock, not being able to open the door or a damaged window then here are some ways that you can repair your sliding door yourself.

What to do if your door is stuck

Take a screwdriver and rotate the screws on the rolling mechanism counterclockwise. Next, remove the door stop from the top of the structure. This should allow you to remove the door from the frame. Then use the screwdriver to remove the rollers. If they are damaged then they need to be replaced but if they are dirty then you can clean the rollers, and the sliding door tracks with methylated spirits and re-oil them with a silicone-based spray. Re-insert the rollers, making sure that they are as close to the frame as possible. Then wax the tracks to enable the door to move smoothly and place the door back into the frame.

What to do if your door is not even with the frame

Remove the door as stated above and before placing the door back into the frame, ensure that the rollers at the top of the doorframe are fitted correctly. It may be necessary to turn the screws at the top to enable the door to be placed in the right position. Gently, place the door back and ensure that you push it into the top track and then tighten the screws before letting go.

What to do if the lock is broken

First, try oiling the latch. If this does not work then unscrew the handle from the door and place a screw back in the bottom hole that is left to keep the latch from moving. Unscrew the lock and then purchase a suitable replacement from your local hardware shop. Then simply add the new lock to your door as instructed by the directions provided with your new lock.

What to do if your glass is damaged

If the glass is broken, measure the height and width of the glass and order a new piece. Take the trim off from around the glass and remove the remaining glass fragments. Place the new piece of glass into the frame and use caulk to fix it into place. Place the trim back around the glass and fasten it into place with tacks.

If you're still having issues with your door, contact local sliding door lock repair services. They can either fix your door or provide supplies you need to perform regular maintenance tasks.