If your sliding doors have become stuck or have squealed, you might be wondering how to replace or repair them. Fortunately, you don’t have to hire a professional. These tips can help you make the repairs. Read on for more information! You can clean the rollers, replace broken rollers, and fix bent tracks. You can even learn how to replace a broken track. Here are some tips to repair your sliding doors!
Fixing a faulty sliding door
If you’ve recently purchased an aluminium sliding door, you’re probably wondering what the first thing you should do. The good news is that most of these doors can be fixed yourself! Depending on the problem, it might take anywhere from an hour to three hours. In most cases, it is well worth the time and effort, as replacing the door would cost much more. For a relatively low cost, you can purchase replacement parts online for about $30, including the latching handle and rollers.
Usually, the problem begins with the tracks and rollers. These are the most common causes of sliding door problems. If you’re unable to get the door to slide, you’ll need to contact a specialist sliding door repair service to assess the problem and fix it. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as adjusting the height of the wheels. If these steps don’t work, a specialist sliding door repair company can help you diagnose and fix the issue, without replacing the entire door assembly.
Cleaning the rollers
If the rollers of your sliding door are dirty, greasy, or broken, you may have to replace them. Fortunately, it is much less expensive to replace these parts than to replace the entire door. However, before you tackle this job, you should first check whether there is a serious problem with the tracks or underlying structure. In such cases, you should hire a contractor to inspect the problem.
The best way to avoid damaging your sliding door’s track is to clean the tracks regularly. A good way to do this is to use a commercial lubricant, such as silicone or mineral oil. Spray it on the track at a downward angle and preferably in the little hole at the bottom. This will prevent sticky wheels and squeaky rollers. You may also need to adjust the rollers to ensure that they are moving smoothly. If you find this is not enough, you can use an old toothbrush to clean the track.
Replacing broken rollers
Identify the rollers and remove the lower section of the frame. They are typically held in place with screws, and can either be removed individually or as a unit. If they are not removable, you can use a wood block or rubber mallet to loosen the piece. Remove the bottom section of the door frame and then slide the roller assembly into the frame. Once you have removed the bottom section, you can easily reach the rollers.
Remove the old rollers from the bottom frame of the sliding door by unscrewing the screws at their base. If they are worn out, replace them with new ones. If necessary, clean the track where the rollers are installed to extend their life. You can also buy replacement rollers at home improvement stores. Do not try replacing the entire door by yourself. Unless you’ve been trained in sliding door repair, ask someone to help you.
Replacing a bent track
If your sliding doors aren’t working properly, it may be time to replace the track. You can usually get it straightened out with a set of hefty pliers. If this is not possible, you can try grinding it down with a metal file. Before you attempt this repair, you will need to remove the door from its frame. This Old House has a good guide for replacing a bent track.
If the track is bent on the bottom, you can try replacing it by cutting a cap strip that fits over the broken track. Simply hammer it into place. However, it is important to note that the water that corroded the track could have damaged the subfloor wood underneath. You should fix any rotten wood while you are removing the bent track. Otherwise, the door won’t function properly.
Replacing a broken door catch
If you have a how to replace or repair aluminium sliding doors, you may find that it has a broken door catch. Replacing this component is relatively easy, especially if you have taken the time to inspect the mechanism first. However, if you’re not sure how to do this, you should consider hiring an installer to do the job for you. You can also try to fix the problem yourself if you are too lazy to seek help from a professional.
Conclusion
If the door is sliding but the catch is stuck, the first step would be to replace it. If it is the glass, you’d need to buy a new door. If the aluminium sliding door is a custom-made or unique model, you may need to replace the entire component. If you’ve tried to replace it yourself, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
