Are you at your wits’ end trying to figure out what to do with a glass sliding door that refuses to move?
Glass sliding doors are a great accent to every home and are extremely popular among homeowners. They allow natural light to fill the room and offer a breathtaking view of the outside world, whether a garden, patio, or balcony. But there might come a time when a sliding door no longer works as it used to when it was new.
How do you prevent this from happening?
It starts with installation. You should check that you’re getting quality door hardware, particularly the track rollers, from the installer. From there, regular maintenance can keep things in order.
Here are three tips to ensure your sliding glass doors remain in tip-top condition for years.
1. Check the Rollers
One of the most vital components of sliding doors is the track rollers. They support the big, heavy door and enable it to move along the track. Quality rollers should provide smooth, effortless, and quiet movement as you open and close the sliding door.
However, some materials fail to deliver this function. Metal rollers are noisy and can wear out the typical aluminum rail of sliding doors. Cheap plastic rollers can easily deform from various factors such as the door’s weight, temperature, and moisture.
Do yourself a favor and confirm that you’re getting top-quality rollers (e.g., precision track rollers) at installation. Otherwise, maintenance will be a nightmare and almost futile.
If you have an old door that’s more stubborn than your grandpa, you may need to remove the rollers for a check-up. You can clean, lubricate, and reinstall dirty rollers. But if they’ve sustained significant damage, replacing them with better quality rollers is the best course of action.
2. Cleaning Your Glass Sliding Door
It would be best to clean the glass and frame at least once a week and the tracks at least once a month.
Start with the glass door and wipe away the accumulated dust, grime, and finger marks with window cleaner and a clean cloth or paper towels. You may need to wash the glass with soapy water if it has stuck-on dirt stains.
You can clean the frame with some light dusting and follow it up with a wipe down. Regular cleaning of the glass and frame prevents debris build-up in the tracks.
Cleaning the tracks is one of the essential tasks in sliding door maintenance. First, use a vacuum cleaner for dust, sand, and loose debris. After that, you can remove grime and stubborn dirt from the tracks using a wire brush or a toothbrush.
3. Lubricate the Tracks
Lubricate only the bottom track but only after a thorough cleaning. A silicone-based lubricant works best for this purpose. Lubricating the bottom rail ensures that the door slides back and forth smoothly and quietly.
You should be aware that some tracks don’t need lubrication. For example, aluminum rails won’t rust, so cleaning is enough. Some track rollers are also self-lubricating.
Say Goodbye to Sticky and Squeaky Sliding Doors
It can be frustrating to deal with a glass sliding door that refuses to budge and makes awful noises once you can finally get it moving. By following the tips in this article, your sliding door can stay smooth and quiet like it was freshly installed.
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