Good mornin All , I’m wondering what the expert know it alls here would have to say about slider door track maintenance ?
And has anyone ever added handles to the out side cause it hurts the fingers to open from the little opening ? What should I expect ? These sliding doors are 20 years old.
Replies
Vacuum the track out, remove any ground-in grit with a brush or whatever works.
If the unit doesn't roll smoothly then try adjusting the adjusting screws at the bottom to raise it up and make it level. Failing that, remove the door (it lifts out of the track) and replace the rollers in the bottom of the door (replacements are available at most hardware stores).
If you take the door out, obviously clean the track thoroughly.
Occasionally the track will get bent or broken. The better manufacturers (if you can identify the manufacturer) sell such replacement parts through lumber yards.
You can add a handle so long as it's positioned so it won't bang against the stationary panel when the door is opened rapidly. If it bangs it'll crack the door frame or cause other damage.
But cleaning/fixing the track and rollers generally makes the movement so smooth that another handle isn't needed.
Installers use a silicone spray to lube the track after it is clean, available at your local hardware store. Try the things Dan suggested, then apply the spray.
The outside handle is OK if it doesn't interfere with the sliding screen, and, as Dan said, it will keep the door from opening as far.
Use ONLY silicone lube [or a Teflon lube like Triflo] on the track, though, and be VERY sparing with its use. Too much lube will attract dirt and make things worse.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Edited 7/22/2007 8:51 am by DanH
Thanks for the advise... whats up with the graphite that is in the tracks now? Clean it out and do the silicon ? Will it react to the stuff thats in there . up inside the door track ?
The "graphite" probably isn't graphite, but rather just aluminum oxide, due to wear on the track. In any event, vacuum/wipe it clean. It's better to have no lube at all on the track than too much.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Clean tracks and a little lube, I agree.
Net-net: If the door is properly adjusted, the track is clean, and the rollers at the bottom of the door are clean and properly lubed, the door should slide with one finger. If that isn't the case then you need to pull the door out and check the rollers.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Often, it's worth pulling out the slider and inspecting/cleaning/tuning up the roller assembly. I just did a pair that had about 15 years worth of dog hair and general crude. The rollers were so gummed up that there was a flat spot worn on one side of the roller. If you are lucky and it's an Andersen, a new roller assembly (you'll need two) can be had for less than $20. Available over the counter at most HDs that stock Andersen parts, or can be easily ordered.