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Patio Doors Repair – How to Fix a Wet Dog and Save Your Dog From Cold, Wet Feet Patio doors can provide a convenient and comfortable transition between your home and outdoor space. They can also help you save money on heating and cooling bills by keeping air within your home. Over time, the shine of your sliding glass or French door can fade. Simple repairs can keep your French or sliding glass doors looking and functioning like new. Weatherstripping It's 5 am and you're taking your dog out for his morning constitutional when you step into an emerald-colored pool of water right near your sliding patio doors. You glance around and realize that last night's rain was able to get through the seals on your patio doors. Be prepared it's not going to be a five-minute project. But with a little patience and some tools to fix the issue, you'll be able to do it and keep your dog safe from cold, wet feet. The most important thing is to replace the weatherstripping, which seals the gap between your door and the jamb, keeping out drafts, pests and moisture. It also helps keep your energy bills down. A quick examination of your windows and doors will let you know whether the weatherstripping is in good condition or needs replacement. There are many kinds of weatherstripping, such as felt, open-cell foam and thermoplastic rubber, as well as metals like bronze or copper. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks. Foam and open-cell foam are both inexpensive, but they also tend to be visible and ineffective at blocking airflow. Vinyl is more expensive but it's durable and resistant to moisture. Rubber is a good choice for areas with high traffic because it does not wear as fast. To install new weatherstripping you must first remove the doors from the frame using a screwdriver to loosen the screws that adjust the rollers. Then using a flathead screwdriver remove the plugs that hold the weatherstripping in place at the bottom of the frame. Then, remove the weatherstripping from the previous frame and scrape any adhesive from the bottom of the frame. Then, trim the new to the appropriate length, peel off the plastic strip at one end, and then apply it using a putty-blade to the jamb. After you're done, put back the door and re-adjust the roller screws so that the door sits in the track and shuts properly. Then, apply waterproof caulk to the area that the stationary panel passes through the sliding door and the edge of the stationary panel meets the frame. This is not as secure a seal than the weatherstripping, but it should work for a while. Handles and locks Locks and handles for your patio door are important for the security of your home. Over time, they may be damaged or worn out and require replacement. In addition, the spindle that connects the exterior and interior handles could also need to be replaced. To replace a handle on the patio door, take out the old one first by unscrewing any screws holding it in place. After removing the handle, you can use a level and make sure that the patio door is straight. If the door isn't straight it could hinder the lock and cause problems in the future. Close and open the handle a few times after installing it to ensure that it is working properly. If you experience any issues you are having trouble, contact the manufacturer or a specialist in hardware for assistance. It's also a good idea to lubricate the lock mechanism with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent future problems. The most popular type of patio door lock is a mortise latch. It is usually made of metal and sits inside a pocket that has been cut into the door frame. These types of locks are typically used on aluminum and wood sliding doors. Before purchasing a replacement mortise lock, you need to measure. The measurements you require include the mounting hole locations and the location of the keyway inside the lock. Some handles for patio doors have a built-in locking mechanism that's integrated into the handle. They have a rectangular key cylinder that can be fitted in the handle's keyway. If you have this type of patio door, the inside and outside locks are combined into one unit. This type of patio door is most often found on sliding aluminum doors. If your patio door latch doesn't stay locked, it could be because the lock tongue isn't catching the hasp of the jamb correctly. Another possibility is that the sliding door is not completely parallel with the jamb on the side. Try opening the door for about 1 inch and then spotting it against the frame to determine whether there is any gap between the door and the jamb. If there is a gap, you can adjust the rollers on the bottom left or the right side of the patio until it is perfectly parallel to the jamb. Misalignment As time passes the door's tracks and rollers will lose their proper alignment. This can cause the doors to become stuck or difficult to move. It can also allow cold air and draughts to infiltrate your home, which could reduce energy efficiency. Misalignment can be easily fixed and prevented. Applying a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers and tracks will help your doors move smoothly once more. patio door repair london is a good idea to do this periodically to ensure that your doors are in peak operating condition. Another common problem with patio doors is a damaged screen, which can be a nuisance or even a safety risk. In addition, it can prevent the doors from opening and closing properly, leading to energy loss. In some cases the damaged screen can be repaired, but in others it's necessary to replace the entire door. If you're experiencing a torn screen, make sure you clean it thoroughly and make sure not to turn the handles of the door in the wrong way when opening and closing. Hinges can become looser over time due to heavy use or wear and tear. This can be fixed by tightening screws frequently. This is a simple job that can be done yourself, but if not sure about it, seek out an expert to ensure that your doors are securely aligned and secure. It's recommended to clean your patio doors tracks and rollers. A simple brushing or vacuuming can get rid of dust and debris that might interfere with the smooth operation of your patio doors. You can also employ a special tool to clear away stubborn dirt or rust. It is possible to fix misalignment by tightening or inspecting the screws. However, sometimes it is necessary to replace the hinges in order to ensure a lasting seal. The alignment and performance of your patio doors may be affected when the frames are warped or sliding. Warping or shifting can happen due to changes in the foundation of your home, but could be caused due to poor installation or by frequent usage. A professional can fix or replace the frame of your patio door and ensure it's aligned properly, allowing it to perform at its best. Rollers The sliding patio doors can be an excellent way to let the outdoors in and let in plenty of light, however they require some maintenance to ensure that they're moving smoothly. If you find that you need to pull the handle to get the door to move, or if it just doesn't slide as easily as it used to then the problem could be the rollers. In time the lower track may become clogged with dirt, dirt, and sand. This makes it difficult for rollers to move. It is possible to clean it and spraying it with a lubricant such as 2Slick. If the tracks have been cleaned, but the rollers are still not sliding freely, it's time to replace them. Replacement rollers are available for your door and track. They can be found at the majority of hardware stores, but you'll require a companion to assist with the removal and installation of the rollers. Get a picture of the rollers installed in the frame to assist the experts identify the exact type and model you require. You can also search for features that can be identified, such as bumps or dimples, cutouts or flared edges to narrow down the replacement options. After replacing the rollers you will need to reinstall the sliding door back into its frame. You may need assistance with this one as the door is very heavy. Check to see if there are screws that hold the track on either side of the frame. If so check that they're loose enough for the door's bottom to slide into the channel that is above the frame. If you have a screen door, take it from the opening and ensure it's clear of the track and rollers. When the new rollers have been installed place, carefully slide the door into the frame and swing it into place. If your rollers are adjustable you can adjust them so that the door has enough clearance.