There are many benefits to having sliding glass doors; for example, they give your home an elegant look, provide an unobstructed view of the outdoors, and allow for easy access to your outdoor area. However, this joy can quickly be ruined when the doors start making loud sliding noises, becoming hard to open, or start getting stuck. Problems like these usually arise due to a lack of maintenance, dirt, or debris that has taken place in the sliding door tracks. Fortunately, with a little bit of effort and a few changes, the sliding doors can be made to function like new.
In this guide, we will teach you how to better sliding glass door tracks, and more importantly, how to fix and avoid the conditions that are the main contributors to hard sliding doors. Follow the guidelines provided in this guide to ensure that you will have sliding doors that open and close with ease.
What causes sliding glass doors to stick?
Sliding glass doors stick or become hard to open and close for the following reasons:
- Tracks littered with dirt and debris: Tracks collecting dust, dirt, leaves, or small stones from the door sliding back and forth can reduce the obstruction. Instead, the door can stick, and sometimes slide unevenly. Tracks littered with debris can wear down the rollers, worsening the problem.
- Worn or dirty roller wheels: Sliding doors require the wheels on a sliding door to be clean. Dirty, damaged, or worn-out wheels cause the doors to stick or slide down.
- Improper Door Alignment: With some sliding doors, it’s possible to achieve a perfect alignment with a door frame. An improperly sliding door can rub against a frame and take up unnecessary resistance. This occurs from the door being improperly installed. Over time, doors can shift, and the result is a too low a head clearance.Wheel Stiffness
- Stiff roller: Wheels can make the doors hard to slide. You can use the right type of lubricant to fix the problem, but be careful, as the wrong lubricant can cause even more damage to the door.
If you manage these issues, you can make sure the sliding glass doors stay seamless and in perfect condition.
Things to Note: Quick Door Check
Before you begin the cleaning, it is important to check the condition of the sliding glass door. If you see any of the signs below, you are most likely due for a maintenance check.
- Scraping or uneven sliding: If the door seems hard to slide or scrapes the frame, it can mean that the door is misaligned or that there is too much debris in the tracks.
- Doors grinding or there is a sticking noise: If you hear grinding, or notice a sticking noise when you open or close the sliding glass door, it means that they are likely to be friction and debris build up.
- Debris in the tracks: If there are leaves or dust in the tracks, they might be causing the doors to resist and hindering the sliding mechanism.
- Door Is Not Level In Frame: Doors can become misaligned if the door is not level in the frame. This can result in the door dragging on the rollers creating unnecessary wear.
Once damage is done, the repairs can become expensive, so try and address this issue as soon as it comes up.
Tools for Sliding Door Track Cleaning
Make sure you have the following supplies and equipment prepared:
- Vacuum with small nozzle or attachment: Small nozzle vacuums work well for dust and debris removal when the track is tight.
- Soft brush or old toothbrush: The soft brush or soft bristled toothbrush is good for track scrubbing but try not to go too aggressive.
- Mild soap and warm water: Wheels irritate and forget the damage; a soap solution will irritate the surfaces.
- Microfiber cloth: Track and wheel ticklers should be done with the cloth and remain non fibrous, as well as non streaking.
- Silicone-based lubricant for optional: Lubricate the rollers and tracks with that for smooth movement.
Step-by-step process
Now let’s begin cleaning your sliding glass door tracks to make them operate smoothly.
Step 1: Removal of Debris.
To clean the tracks of your door, begin by vacuuming the tracks to remove dirt, leaves, and small stones. Pay special attention to the corners, as this is an area where debris often gets trapped. Be sure to focus on all the areas where the door wheels move.
Step 2: Clean the Tracks
Take an old toothbrush and use it to clean the track. Once the track has been scrubbed, mix some water and soap together and use that to finish cleaning the remaining grime. Avoid using tools that are abrasive, as those can damage the tracks and doors.
Step 3: Wipe the Tracks.
Once the tracks have been scrubbed, use a damp cloth to remove the soap. Track cleaning should be rinse followed by a wipe. Once the cloth is clean, make sure to use a dry microfibre cloth to wipe the tracks dry to prevent moisture buildup.
Step 4: Clean Roller Wheels (If Applicable)
If you’re able to reach the roller wheels, use the soft brush to remove any loose dirt or debris. Make sure the wheels spin smoothly and freely, as this will allow the door to function properly. If the wheels are particularly dirty, they may need to be cleaned more thoroughly.
Step 5: Check the Door Alignment
Lastly, check the door alignment. Check for any uneven gaps between the door and door frame. If there is any friction or dragging. If the door is misaligned, you may need to readjust the rollers or contact an expert.
Do’s and Don’ts for Lubrication
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To maintain the sliding glass door, lubrication is key, however, research the correct methods to avoid damage.
Do:
- Use silicone-based lubrication that is formulated to help with friction without causing dust and dirty build up.
- Apply lubrication in small amounts.
Don’t:
- Use tubes of oil or grease, as this will cause the dirt to cling to the tracks and cause other problems.
- Over-lubricating can cause a mess and allow the door to slide too freely, which can cause misalignment.
- Lubricant will not fix dirty tracks. Clean the tracks before applying lubricant.
How Often Should You Clean Sliding Door Tracks?
To avoid issues with sliding doors, you need to clean them regularly. Here is a proposed cleaning calendar:
- Every 2-3 months for doors that get a lot of use.
- After storms or a lot of debris, clear the tracks of any dirt that has built up.
- If your door starts to stick, clean the tracks immediately or it will become difficult to open and close.
Keeping your door clean will help it function smoothly.
When Cleaning Isn’t Enough
If your sticky door is still problematic after a clean and a lubrication, you might need to do the following:
- Even after cleaning, the rollers are still dirty or damaged.
- The door continues to scrape or gets stuck.
- The frame or track is damaged, which causes the door to operate irregularly.
- Even after cleaning and adjusting, alignment issues continue.
In these situations, you may need to have a professional fix the alignment or other structural issues, or have the tracks or rollers replaced.
Preventing Sliding Glass Door Problems Long-Term
Here are some tips to avoid problems with sliding glass doors going forward:
- Every couple of months, clean tracks and rollers, and doors with soapy water and a sponge
- Watch for debris and dust collecting on and around doors and tracks
- Do not hit doors as this damages, rollers, tracks and glass
- Annually check rollers for wear
Steady and consistent efforts to maintain the sliding doors will positively impact their longevity and functionality.
Conclusion: Smooth-Sliding Doors Start With Proper Cleaning
In most cases, improper maintenance and debris buildup are the causes of sliding doors malfunctioning: By eliminating the maintenance backlog, smooth operation will be restored and expensive repairs can be avoided.
In the long run, once the maintenance backlog is addressed, proper use will shorten the lifespan of the sliding glass doors.
Your sliding glass doors will deserve little effort, as they perform so much to make your home safe and stylish!
