There’s something about sliding glass doors that we can’t quite put our fingers on. The warmth they bring, the flood of light, or the open and airy feel they instantly bring to the room; whatever it is, one thing’s for sure: they’re loved by all homeowners left and right.
But as amazing as they are, they need to be maintained, just like any good thing in life. With dirt accumulation and worn-out rollers, your sliding door that once glided like a knife in softened butter is now a constant tug of war.
Here are some tried and tested sliding door maintenance tips we swear by!
1. Keep the Tracks Clean
This probably seems obvious, but you’d be surprised just how many sliding doors we’ve fixed with a simple wipe. A dirty track will prevent your sliding door from sliding, and well… make things considerably harder.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Vacuum the track regularly, preferably with a narrow attachment to really get in there
- Use an old toothbrush for a good scrub
- Wipe down with a cloth to prevent moisture from pooling
- A little Dawn dish soap can do wonders for tough grime
2. Dirty Rollers May Need a Good Clean
If your sliding door feels heavy, you may be up against dirty or worn-out rollers.
You need to:
- Remove the door (this may be a little too advanced for some homeowners)
- Lay the door flat and clean the rollers with a brush and a damp cloth
- Reinstall the door and test the slide
This may either make your door feel brand new again or make you pick up the phone and get a new roller installed.
Also Read: Why Your Sliding Door Suddenly Feels Heavy & How to Fix It
3. Lubricate the Tracks
You’ve cleaned your tracks, but now you need to lubricate them. Now you might be tempted to lubricate a squeaky door with an oil-based lubricant, but that’ll just make matters worse. Oil-based lubricants attract more dust, making it pretty counterintuitive.
Instead, what you need is a dry silicone spray lubricant. Here’s what to do:
- Shake the bottle and spray the top and bottom track lightly
- Open and close the door a couple of times to work it in
Make sure to repeat this step every couple of months, and you’re good to go!
4. Tighten or Replace All Loose Screws
If we were to make an educated guess, we’d assume you open and close your sliding door anywhere between 10 to 20 times a day. Multiply that by 30, and well, you’re looking at something close to 500 times a month.
And if we charged you for not being gentle with those doors, you’d be guilty! With all the opening and closing, loose screws are bound to happen. Locks, handles, frames — you name it.
A quick fix includes:
- Use a screwdriver to tighten all visibly loose screws
- If any screw feels spin in place, replace it
5. Replace the Weatherstripping
The weatherstripping on a sliding glass door plays an important role in keeping drafts and insy-winsy spiders out. It can wear out over time, causing it to lose its effectiveness.
Here’s how to replace the weatherstripping:
- Peel back the old weatherstripping and clean the surface
- Apply the new weatherstripping, making sure it forms a tight seal
6. Check the Alignment
If your sliding door starts scraping the frame, it might be out of alignment.
Here’s what to check:
- The spacing between the top of the door and the frame
- Look at how evenly the rollers sit in the track
Some sliding doors have adjustment screws at the bottom to raise or lower the door. If you can’t seem to find it, call in the professionals.
7. Know When to Call the Professionals
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may be unable to pinpoint the exact problem you’re facing with your door. And even if you do find it, fixing it isn’t always as easy as a walk in the park.
Knowing when to give in and call the professionals can actually save you time, effort, and is even safer in the long run. DIY isn’t always the answer to everything, and that’s okay.
5 Star Sliding Door Repair for 5 Star Smoothness!
Your sliding door is your house’s most overlooked aspect, and eventually, it’ll start demanding your attention.
Sliding door maintenance is an integral part of the upkeep of a sliding door, and with the right approach, you’ll have a door that slides smoothly for years to come.
And when you need a hand?
Call the experts at 5 Star Sliding Door Repair. We’ll take the weight off your shoulders.
