Do My Patio Doors Need Realigning? A How-To Guide For Homeowners
Sliding patio doors are a wonderful addition to any home, providing a seamless connection between your indoor and outdoor living spaces. However, over time, you may notice that your patio doors don't function as smoothly as they used to. They might stick, feel heavy, or have gaps when closed. But before you panic and think about replacements, there could be a straightforward fix.
Often, issues with sliding patio doors arise due to misalignment. And fortunately, you can realign your doors in a few easy steps. Read on to discover how to adjust your sliding patio doors so they glide smoothly and efficiently.
How to tell if your patio doors need realigning
In most cases, you can easily spot misalignment in your uPCV patio doors. Here are a few signs to look out for.
Difficulty in opening or closing
Are you having to use extra force to open or close your patio doors? Sliding patio doors open and close by gliding across a track at the bottom. And high-quality patio doors should open with a smooth motion and minimum force. So if yours start to stick or feel particularly heavy, it might be time to look at the doors’ alignment. Your doors could be out of line with the runner track.
In many cases, this is due to the door’s rollers. Sliding patio doors feature rollers or wheels that help them move along the track. These rollers can be adjusted to sit properly on the track. However, with everyday wear and tear, the wheels can become too high or too low.
A strange sound
Have you noticed an unusual sound when you open or close your doors? It could be a creaking or scraping sound, caused by friction between the bottom of your patio door and the track. It’s best to check the alignment — your door could have dropped so that it’s pressing against the track. Over time, this friction can cause more damage.
The door slides off the track
In contrast to too much friction, not enough could signify misalignment, too. If your door slides off the track, it’s probably out of sync. This could lead to a wobbly door.
Uneven gaps
Have you noticed any gaps along the edges of your patio doors when closed? This offers a visual clue, indicating that there’s some misalignment.
Drafts or air leaks
Similarly, if you feel drafts or notice air leaks around your closed patio doors, it's likely that the alignment is off, allowing air to seep in. It’s a good idea to get this sorted as soon as possible to keep your space properly insulated, especially in the winter.
Check the alignment
If you suspect your patio doors are misaligned, you can use a spirit level check. Look at both the horizontal and vertical alignment. If the bubble on the spirit level is off-centre, it means that the alignment is not correct.
How to adjust your sliding patio doors
Once you’re confident the issue with your sliding patio doors is down to misalignment, you can take action to get them back on track — literally!
In just a few steps, you can ensure your sliding doors fit perfectly along the track.
What tools will you need?
To realign your patio doors, you'll need a few basic tools:
- An old toothbrush for cleaning the tracks
- A screwdriver to adjust the screws that hold the door frame in place
- A spirit level to help you determine if your patio doors are correctly aligned
Realigning your patio doors: a how-to guide
Follow these step-by-step instructions to realign your patio doors:
Clean the tracks
Before realigning your patio doors, it’s important to clean the tracks thoroughly. Dirt, debris, or obstructions in the tracks can affect the door's movement. Scrape away any dirt or debris with an old toothbrush then dry it with a soft cloth. You may also find a vacuum cleaner handy for getting hard-to-reach dust and grime.
Adjust the rollers
If the rollers on your door are too high or low, you can adjust them. To do so, first loosen the screws — these are usually on the side of the door, beside the rollers. The screws may be hidden by plastic plugs, so remove those first. Then you can use a screwdriver to adjust the screws — clockwise will raise the wheels, and anticlockwise will lower them. Raise or lower as needed on both sides of the doors so they’re even and match up with the track.
If the screws are particularly tight, you may need to apply some lubricant.
Test the movement
After making the necessary adjustments, test the movement of your patio doors. Open and close them multiple times to ensure they slide smoothly without sticking or binding. If the doors still don't operate properly, you may need to repeat the realignment process or seek professional assistance.
Sliding patio doors from Flying Doors
Sliding patio doors can be a fantastic way to bring light into your home and create a sense of space. However, it’s not uncommon for patio doors to become misaligned. But with a few tools and a bit of patience, you can get your doors gliding open and shut. It’s also a good idea to make sure you get your doors from a trusted supplier.
At Flying Doors, we offer a range of uPVC sliding patio doors styles you can tailor to your needs. We manufacture all our doors and windows in the UK and use high-quality materials. We also offer a 10-year guarantee so you can feel confident in your purchase. Take a look at our patio doors and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.