When you want a panoramic view of the great outdoors, sliding glass doors are the way to go. They give your house a more open feeling and provide natural light to your den, living room, or even your bedroom. However, like most of the items in your household, sliding doors need regular maintenance and care to keep them performing at their best. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to keep your sliding glass doors moving freely and easily. We’ll look at how to lubricate the tracks they slide on and learn what pitfalls to avoid that may cause problems later.
Remove the Door First
Removing your sliding glass doors is easier said than done. They’re surprisingly heavy and unstable once you get them off their tracks. If you’re feeling ambitious enough to try this task yourself, use the guidelines below when removing your glass doors.
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Locate and remove the adjustment screws and screw covers at the bottom of the door. You’ll probably need a second person to help stabilize the door during this process.
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Move the adjustment screws away from the middle of the doorway so you can center the door in the middle of the opening. You’ll need a screwdriver to move the rollers to the right place.
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Have another person stand on the opposite side of the door and slowly tilt it your way. Get a firm grip on the door and gently lay it on the ground out of your way. Remember, sliding glass doors are heavy, so make sure you have enough help to handle the weight.
How to Lubricate Vinyl Tracks
Once you have the doors removed and set aside, it’s time to lubricate the tracks. Check to see if your doors have vinyl tracks and wood tracks because it’s important to use lubricants specially designed for the track material. If your doors have vinyl tracks, be sure to use a lubricant that’s silicone-based and non-stick. A silicone, non-stick lubricant is essential for vinyl tracks so the door slides easily and the lubricant doesn’t attract dirt that can cause a clog in the track. Finding the perfect lubricant for your type of track can be tricky, but most professional sliding door installers have it readily available.
Related Topic: Know Your Sliding Door Design Options
What Not to Do
Now that we’ve discussed the right types of lubricants, let’s talk about the wrong types. Any form of grease or oil-based lubricants may solve your sticking problem in the short term, but eventually they’ll make things worse. Although they may feel slippery when they’re first applied, grease and oil-based lubricants eventually become sticky and will attract dirt that clogs your sliding glass door tracks. If you’re not sure what kind of lubricant you have, look at the ingredients list on the packaging. If you see “petroleum” listed, don’t use it—the lubricant has an oily base.
Still Having Problems?
Removing your sliding glass doors and correctly lubricating the tracks can be difficult and time consuming. If you’re worried about the difficulty of the task, or about not having the right type of lubricant, let Glass Doctor handle the job for you. The professionals at Glass Doctor have the skills and experience necessary to handle whatever challenges your sliding glass door presents. They also have all the tools and lubricants necessary to service any type of door track material. Call today or visit their website to make an appointment to get your sliding glass door serviced by a pro.