Sliding Glass Door Problems and Repairs

Sliding glass doors make every home a little more beautiful, especially if you have a balcony, patio, or deck. These easy-to-operate doors give you a wealth of access to your outdoor spaces, as well as a gorgeous scenic view inside. Although sliding doors are an excellent addition to any home, that doesn’t mean they don’t come with their own set of problems. Much like any door, sliding glass patio doors can run into problems that may require repair or replacement.

There are a few common issues that homeowners with sliding glass patio doors can expect to run into at some point. They include:

• Dirty and damaged tracks: Excess accumulation of dirt and debris in the track is by far the most common issue with sliding glass patio doors. Your patio doors are doors, after all, and the debris that you track in from outside might fall into the patio door’s track before making it all the way in. If this issue is caught in time, fixing it can be as simple as giving your tracks a good cleaning. If left unaddressed, however, this can lead to much larger problems.
• Misaligned rollers: If you’re having trouble opening and closing your sliding patio doors, the culprit may be misaligned wheels or rollers. Over time, these will wear out as part of the aging process. Adjusting them might be as simple a fix as screwing them back into place, but it’s possible that the rollers themselves are damaged. In that case, a replacement is necessary.
• Warped, cracked, or broken glass: Issues with the glass on your sliding glass patio door are more than an eyesore – they can also prevent your door from operating smoothly. It’s important to have a professional look at the damage and determine whether it can be repaired, or if a replacement is necessary.
• Improper installation: When your patio doors weren’t installed properly, it can lead to a number of issues down the line. The most obvious among them is a loose or damaged frame. Not only does this make the door more difficult to operate; it can also lead to drafts and heat transfer that cause your energy bills to skyrocket. Most of the time, you’ll need to have the door reinstalled in order to fix the problem.

Some of these issues can be solved with DIY fixes, but it’s always good to keep in mind that doing it yourself often makes the problem even worse. For a surefire solution to your sliding glass patio door problems, replace them with an even better, more energy-efficient model from Mr. Rogers Windows. Our selection of Renewal by Andersen® patio doors are built for superior performance and available in a wide range of customization options. You’re sure to love what it adds to your home!