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13 Jun

Tips to Repair Common Sliding Door Problems

Posted at 4:21 PM, June 13, 2020 by / Category: Sliding Doors

Choosing Aluminium Glass Door for Home

Why are doors important? Some obvious reasons are – privacy, accessibility, protection against natural elements, safety against burglars, among others, but doors also offer structural integrity to homes and affect the floor plan. Available in different shapes, colours, sizes, and styles, doors also cater to the overall aesthetic appeal of living and working spaces.

Presently, sliding doors have become a staple in modern interior designing. Be it a patio, shower cubicle, closet, or room dividers, traditional doors are being replaced with glass sliding doors. Since these door types open sideways instead of opening out, they’re perfect for saving space while providing easy accessibility and enhanced lighting conditions.

However, there comes a time when doors may start showing glitches in their performance. If your sliding door is malfunctioning, you shouldn’t let the issue slide! This guide will equip you with useful tips to repair common sliding door problems.

Sliding Door Mechanism

Most sliding doors are operated using a sliding door gear mechanism. Primarily, there are three standard sliding door gears – top hung sliding doors, bottom rolling door gear, and lift-and-slide door gear.

A sliding door opens horizontally by sliding. Usually, it opens parallel to the wall. These doors can be mounted either on the top of a track or be suspended from the track above. In some mechanisms, the sliding door “disappears” into a wall when slid open.

Some common types of sliding doors are arcadia doors, pocket doors, and bypass doors.

Operational Failure in Sliding doors: Common Causes

Numerous factors can affect the operation of sliding doors.

Alignment Issue

If you operate a sliding door with excessive force, it can come off the track. Usually, on such occasions, the adjustment screws at the top and bottom of the track come out. This will leave the sliding door non-functional.

Flimsy Track

With regular use, sliding doors can collect dirt, mud, hair, dust, and rust in their tracks and grooves. The collected debris will increase the friction between the track and rollerblades, causing operational failure.

Impaired Rollers

Often, low quality or worn out roller blades cause operational dysfunction of sliding doors. If the roller blades are broken or chipped, they won’t glide on the track. Besides, if left unchecked, the impaired rollers can damage the track as well.

Faulty Locking System

For security purposes, sliding doors are equipped with locking systems. However, in case the door comes off the track, collapses, or is aligned poorly, it can cause a fault in the locking system. Consequently, the locking mechanism will fail, compromising the safety and security of the building occupants.

Door Stuck In Track

Over the years, the sliding function can become rusty due to regular wear-and-tear. When sliding doors fail to open or close smoothly, it means there is friction between the track and the rollerblades. If it remains stuck, it may lead to a bent track or misalignment causing further issues. Moreover, stuck doors are menacing, especially when installed in the patio or balcony.

Tips for Sliding Door Repair

Clean the Track

To ensure smooth operation, regular upkeep of sliding doors is necessary. The tracks should be clean and dust-free for the rollerblades to glide with ease. Loose debris can be vacuumed or removed from the bottom track using a brush. After doing this, wipe the tracks using an alcohol-based cleaner. It should be good as new.

Lubricate! Lubricate!

If the track is clogged, it will not function smoothly. It is the same for broken latches. For such problems, lubrication can do the trick. For sliding doors, silicone lubricants work the best. They attract and hold less dirt, offering smooth operation.

Align the Doors Again

It is trickier than you think but doable. To re-align, remove the sliding door from the track and re-insert it. Now, align the top rollers first and then, place the bottom of the door on the track while pushing the front of the door up into the track. For movement, you can rotate the screws at the top. Once in place, be sure to re-adjust the screws and your sliding door will be re-aligned.

Adjust the Rollers

If the rollers of your sliding doors are not on track, re-adjusting the rollerblades can help. Simply adjust the bottom screws holding the rollers in place. Turn the screws clockwise to raise the door and counter-clockwise to lower the door. Lastly, make sure to adjust both sides of the door for an even adjustment.

The Bottom Line

In case your sliding door malfunctions, the tips mentioned above can be helpful. However, if the condition prolongs, it is better to seek professional help since sliding door mechanisms are mostly complicated and beyond a DIY-fix.

About AIS Windows

Looking for sliding door repair? Turn to AIS Windows, the largest door and window manufacturing company in India.

AIS Windows offers a comprehensive range of fenestration products in uPVC, wood, and aluminium substrates for residential and commercial applications. For quality fenestration enhancements, replacement, or re-installation for your spaces, we offer customisable solutions as well.

Choose from our varied solutions in acoustic comfort, privacy, energy-efficiency, security, and pollution control to enrich your lifestyle through enhanced aesthetics. For all your door and window needs, AIS Windows is a one-stop source!

So, what are you waiting for?  Get in touch with us today!

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