Sliding patio doors are a common feature of any home in the Coachella Valley. Not only do they extend your living space to the outdoors during our many months of beautiful weather, but they let lots of natural light into a home. However, as with any exterior door, a little maintenance will help keep your sliding glass door from sticking or derailing. While our desert climate is beautiful most of the year, our seasonal winds kick up a lot of dust and sand that quickly get stuck in door frames and tracks. Sticking patio doors can be frustrating and will only get worse without maintenance. Here are some easy maintenance tips to help care for your patio doors so they function smoothly.
Clean debris from tracks
The main issue for sticky patio doors is usually debris build-up. To avoid this problem, it’s important to regularly remove dirt, bugs and sand that get stuck in the tracks. First, use a wet vac or regular vacuum cleaner to clean the exterior tracks, then slide the door over and clean the interior track. You may need to use a small toothbrush to loosen dirt stuck in the tiny spaces. Next, use a non-abrasive cleaner to spray down the tracks and wipe up any remaining dirt.
Regularly clean windows
You can slow down debris build-up in the surrounding frame and tracks by regularly cleaning glass. Read our article “Eco Friendly Tips for Cleaning Glass Windows” for some great ideas on how to clean your windows while remaining eco-friendly.
Lubricate the tracks
Lubrication will help your doors run smoothly in their tracks, but only do this after thoroughly cleaning the tracks first. If there is a lot of build-up, you may want to engage a professional to remove the doors for a deep clean before lubricating.
Check rollers and alignment of panels
If you’re still experiencing stickiness after a deep clean and lubrication, there may be an issue with the rollers or the alignment of the door panels. Built-up debris can make rollers fall out of alignment or damage them to where they need to be replaced. In addition, incorrect installation of sliding doors or harsh use (slamming) can cause misalignment, which may be remedied by adjusting the roller screws or removing the door and setting it straight from top to bottom.
Know when to replace your sliding glass door
Regular maintenance will help prolong the life of your patio doors; however, with frequent use and harsh weather, patio doors eventually wear down and will need to be replaced. New doors will function better and add features such as energy efficiency and improve the overall look of your home. At California Window & Door, we offer a wide selection of high-quality sliding glass doors in a wide variety of designs and materials. In addition, many of our manufacturers offer lifetime warranties. By choosing a trusted window and door company, you can be sure that the installation will be done correctly so your doors will operate smoothly for years to come.
Stop by our showroom at 75-100 St Charles Place or give us a call at 760-773-1053 to schedule a time to speak to one of our experienced window and door design specialists.