The 10 Most Scariest Things About Patio Door Repairs Tilt and Slide Patio Door Repairs

A sliding patio door that can be tilted and slid 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, thermal integrity and a range of glass options for a wide variety of aesthetics.

One of the most frequent problems for sliding doors is dirty tracks and rollers. Regularly cleaning and lubricating moving parts can help keep your sliding door in good in good working order.

patio door repairs and Roller Replacement

Track and rollers are the primary elements of sliding door functionality. They are housed in the bottom of the aluminum door panel. They are mounted on a track that helps them slide open and close. Over time, dirt accumulation in the tracks can cause them to become clogged. This can lead to the rollers becoming damaged. Cleaning your patio door and well-lubricated will help avoid these issues.

If your track isn't severely bent, it is usually possible to fix the track and rollers without completely taking the door off. Get a helper and tilt the panel toward you to lift it off the bottom track (Photo 3). It may take some effort since the panels are heavy. After removing the panel, lay it flat on the sawhorses and examine the rollers. If they are damaged, replace them with a new assembly. You can also alter the height of the rollers by turning the adjustment screwswhich are usually found in slots along the edges of the door panel.

If the rollers look in good condition they might just require to be cleaned and lubricated. Use a screwdriver to remove the rollers and wipe down each one with denatured alcohol. This will eliminate any caked-on dirt or grime that might be causing resistance. After carefully positioning each roller into its slot and then fully retract it using the adjustment screw. And lastly spray the rollers using silicone spray. This type of lubricant doesn't retain dirt as petroleum-based products do, and will make your door move smoothly.

After cleaning the rollers and reinstalling them you can reinstall the door and test it to make sure the track is in alignment with the rollers and that the doors are smoothly sliding. Contact a local dealer if need assistance. Keep your doors clean and lubricated to extend their life and decrease the need for repair. We recommend a lubricant made of silicone because it doesn't draw dirt the way that WD-40 does. It is recommended to lubricate your rollers and tracks at least once per month.

Replace insect screens


Sliding patio doors are fantastic for maximizing the floor space, allowing airflow while allowing views. However, they can also be problematic if their mechanism stops working or is not working correctly. The majority of problems with sliding screen doors are simple to fix. Dirty rollers due to debris in the track or a wrinkled screen are the most common causes however, you can solve them by following these easy steps.

If your screen is sagging or wrinkled, you could place a 1x4 under each end of the frame to create an incline in the middle. This will allow you to draw the screen closer and straighten it.

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

Adjusting the Panel

In contrast to traditional sliding doors that open by turning the handle tilt and slide patio door mechanisms permit you to leave the doors open to let air circulate while keeping the kids, cats or dogs away from your home. Despite the convenience 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 could cause the door to fail. The early detection of problems and minor adjustments can usually solve these problems, reducing the cost of replacing hardware.

The first step in adjusting a tilt and slide patio door is to remove the panel and place it on a flat surface. Once the panels are removed, use a screwdriver to remove the plastic hole caps from each of the adjuster rollers. After the plastic holes are removed, make use of a long-shafted screwdriver to pull the adjuster out of its channel. Once the adjuster is removed and placed on a flat surface, then clean it using ruby alcohol or a stronger alternative like denatured alcohol. This will eliminate any dirt that has caused the roller to become resistant and let it easily retract back into its channel after the process.

When you are reinstalling the movable panel in its frame and use drills to drive the screws along the flange. The flange should be secured tightly to the door's edge while making sure that the flaps are oriented correctly. Once the movable panel is in place, apply a bead of silicone-based lubricant to 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 for the remaining two panels that can be moved to restore their slide capabilities. Reinstall the plastic flanges. Finally, attach the jamb side strip onto its corresponding fixed panel with a plastic adhesive. When the glue is dry, reattach the handle and test for smooth operation. If the issue is not resolved, adjust the lead Bogie by taking it off cleaning it, then replacing it with a silicone-based oil.

Charley Bar Installation

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

The charley bar is an excellent alternative for your sliding glass door, and it is easy to install at home. The charley bars are placed in the middle of the door to stop the patio door being jimmied with objects or tools such as a hockeystick or broom handle. The charley bar is constructed of polycarbonate injection-molded and extruded RPVC telescoping tubes which makes it sturdy and durable.

The installation of the charley bars requires you to first determine the length of the bar from the edge of the track for sliding doors up to the sliding patio door. Then, mark the points where the charley bar is going to be installed using a pencil. Use an eighth-inch drill bit to make holes in the wall jamb and the frame of the patio door, being cautious not to cut through the glass of the patio door. Then, you can insert the screws provided with the charley bar, and secure them.

The Charley bars are an excellent option for sliding glass patio doors or windows with sash. This simple security device keeps your sliding patio door safe and burglar proof for a long time. It is made of injection-molded polycarbonate, and it has been tested by Intertek to withstand over 400 pounds of pressure. Additionally, the charley bar can be locked using the key that comes with it. It is simple to set up, and it hangs out of the way when not in use. The majority of hardware stores sell the charley-bar. If you want a charley-bar that is functional, purchase it from an online retailer.