How To Replace The Rollers On Your Patio Door
|
Have you noticed your patio door is getting harder and harder to open? Maybe it's time to change the rollers on the door. They generally last from ten to fifteen years but they do wear out and its a job that a do-it-yourselfer can accomplish with a little advice and some strong arms to get the door out!
Sliding patio doors are usually aluminum but there are many wooden and vinyl models on the market. All of them use ball bearing rollers to slide easily back and forth. The aluminum and some vinyl doors have a door bottom that is held in place by 2 screws on either side of the door near the bottom. Beneath the screw is usually an open hole in which there is an adjusting screw to raise the roller up and down. The wooden doors often have pairs of rollers due to their extra weight. The adjusting screws are accesible through plastic caps covering holes in the front of the door bottom.
I mention the adjusting screws because you need to check them before deciding to pull the door out and replace the rollers. Slide a big flat blade screwdriver underneath the door on one side and lift slightly to remove the weight from the roller. Use another screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw. See if that makes the door slide better.
Sometimes thats all thats necessary but if the adjusting screws wont turn or are totally missing, you will have to lift the door out of its track and remove the large screws holding the door bottom on and pull the door bottom off. Get help to lift the door out. Two people are needed to safely handle even the smaller patio doors. The door bottom may not pull off easily especially if the door is old. Check for any metal tabs that may be holding it on and gently work the bottom off.
Some old aluminum and vinyl patio doors have rollers that use one screw both to mount the roller and to adjust it. These types of rollers can often be changed without removing the bottom of the door. Look carefully at the bottom of the door in case there is room to pull the roller assembly out.
Wooden patio door rollers are somewhat easier to change, although the door itself is much heavier. The rollers are often screwed in to the wood door bottom. Remove the screws, and out come the roller.
Some Vinyl patio doors are glued together. They were never intended to come apart. You may not be able to remove the rollers if you see no visible screws holding the frame together. Also vinyl doors are often brittle with age and crack easily as you try to pry off the door bottom. Take extra care if you have a vinyl patio door.
Once you have the bottom off the patio door it should be easy to see how the rollers are held in. Usually, removing one screw or bending a metal tab is all thats necessary. Remove the rollers and take them with you to your local glass shop to get the proper replacements.
To reassemble everything start by adjusting the new rollers so they are up as high as they can go. You dont want them getting in the way when you reinstall the door on its track. Make sure you cover the roller retaining screws with cork or rubber if they come near the bare glass in the door bottom. If the metal screws touch the glass, it will crack.
Replace the door bottom, reinstall the screws that secure it and lift the door back in to place. Follow the instructions gave earlier for adjusting the rollers. You should now be able to see the door move up and down when you turn the adjusting screws. You will also be able to align the door with the frame using the screws. Your patio door lock may need to be adjusted to compensate for the new door height.
Try the door and you should be amazed at how easy it is to close. It should only require a couple of pounds of force to open and close. No more fighting with a heavy door and you did it all yourself!
About The Author
Adrian Dunevein runs a self help website for people who want to do their own window and door screen repair. The website is a complete resource for anyone needing to repair or replace any type of screen.
adrian@all-about-screen-doors.com
|
|
|
New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen
For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of the companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, the most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC). The HEC based thixotropic additives is produced by some of the renowned multi-national companies such as Hercules, Akzo Nobel & Dow.Here we refer to a Biopolymer based on Polysacchride derived from controlled derivatisation process from plant origin. The product developed by Asian Trade Link Chemicals Division in India has already been a successful venture for replacement of HECs for many paint companies. The Product is known a...(related: Home Improvement)
Conservatory Planning Permission In The Uk
It is quite unusual in the UK for a new conservatory to require planning permission. However, as we shall continually state in this article it is always sensible to check with your local authority. As there is always some element of the project that is quite unusual it is prudent to get permission. If in any doubt at all you should contact your local author...(related: Home Improvement)
Garage Doors
You may think choosing garage doors is straight forward, however there are many things to consider, such as whether your garage is adjoining your property, is it a single or a double garage, how much clearance inside and out is needed and so on. Also, the appearance of the garage door can influence what material you use. There are four basic types of garage door and three different materials commonly used to construct these doors. We take a brief look at the four types of garage door which are sectional, roller, side hung and finally the common up and overThe first type of garage door we look are sectional garage doors. T...(related: Home Improvement)
Which Water Purification Systems Are Best? - A Comparison Of The Three Most Common Technologies
Fresh water is essential to our health and comfort. Not only do we rely on it to stay hydrated, we use it in many other ways including bathing, cleaning and cooking food, and laundering our clothes. Fresh water has long been a concern of both public communities and private individuals, and several different water purification systems and treatment technologies have been developed to help ensure that tap water is safe for human consumption. But how do these different technologies compare?Whether you get your water from a well or a city system, water sources can become contaminated by bacteria, runoff, and improp...(related: Home Improvement)
Basement Dehumidifiers
Basements are the most common location for dehumidifiers. Because of their low elevation and lack of air circulation, the air can moisten and stay moist for a long period of time. This causes mold and mildew to build up, which is not only an unpleasant smell, but also an unhealthy problem ? especially for people who have certain allergies.Consider getting a dehumidifier. One of these units can wring all the moisture from the air in almost any size basement (although some larger basements might require two humidifiers.)Choosing Your DehumidifierSome dehumidifiers feature a hygrometer, which measures room humidity. The hygrometer then sends a signal to the humidistat (also known as a hygrostat), which turns the comp...(related: Home Improvement)
Outdoor Ceiling Fans Complement The House
Fans extending from the ceiling have been around for centuries and the modern ceiling fan as we know it today has been used since Victorian times. Savvy homeowners use the ceiling fan in every room imaginable. They like their looks as well as how comfortable they make them feel. Why keep all of this style cooped up inside? Take the ceiling fan outdoors to the patio for a focal point of a great outdoor room. Look at your patio furniture and the style of home before you purchase an outdoor ceiling fan. If you own a log home, you wouldn't want a futuristic black enamel ceiling fan or the contemporary pastel home in South Beach may not look good with dark oak fan blades. A Victorian mansion speaks of a m...(related: Home Improvement)
Securing Your Castle
In the world of today, we no longer employ the moat, drawbridge or 30 foot high walls as security devices. However, if we know the correct methods and devices to use, we can attain better security than those devices afforded.Our first line of defense, is to be aware of our surroundings. Your neighborhood may be in an urban, or suburban area, it may be an apartment building or a gated and guarded community. Each of these environments has it's own unique challenges, but all share one common factor, there are other people living close by. If you and your neighbors are familiar to each other, this in itself is a defense against intruders. Your degree of interaction can range from complete avoidance to acti...(related: Home Improvement)
Why You Should Get A Patio Awning
In these days of climate change, the UK summer is believe or not, getting warmer and sunnier. Whilst this gives us opportunity to enjoy more time in the garden and sitting on the patio. It also means we need to take measures to protect against the sun's harmful rays. This is where a patio awning comes in.Many properties have french windows or patio doors leading onto the patio or decking area of the garden. This area has been much under used and folks do not realise the benefits from having an awning attached above the french doors and the extra dimension this will give. It is like having another living room. With the shelter the awning provides, the patio can be used regardless of the prevailing weather conditions. As previously discussed, the patio awning will pro...(related: Home Improvement)
Got Attic Mold? Lets Talk Energy Conservation!
It happens to countless homeowners around the end of the year - you make the annual visit to your attic to collect the h...(related: Home Improvement)
Hardwood Floor Care Will Keep Your Hardwood Looking Fantastic
Hardwood is still the homeowner's favorite choice of flooring and caring for it takes minimal effort. Unl...(related: Home Improvement)
Draught Proofing Your Home
This article takes a look at a number of ways of preventing or reducing draughts in your home. There are ...(related: Home Improvement)
Basic Methods Of Foundation Waterproofing
It is absolutely necessary to waterproof the foundation of your home. Foundation waterproofing is a critical step in maintaining your home's value and an important measure for preventing very serious damage. Usually done by professionals, foundation waterproofing is generally not recommended as a do-it-yourself project. Your home is likely your biggest investment, and foundation waterproofing is imperative in order to protect that investm...(related: Home Improvement)
Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online And Save - Worry Free?
Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted for luxury home decor?What if you could safely take advantage of the great selection and value of on...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement