How to Fix a Sliding Door

 What tools do you need?

-       4-in-1 screwdriver

-       Allen wrench

-       Corded drill

-       Pry bar

-       Rags

-       Screen roller

-       Utility knife

-       Replacement screen door (if necessary)

-       Silicone lubricant

Plan & prepare

-       Before you begin, try to figure out what the issue is with your sliding door. Is the door sticking? Have you noticed any broken seals? Sometimes, you may not be able to repair these issues and your sliding door will need to be replaced.

-       Any pieces of decorative or functional frameworks will need to be removed before you start to repair your sliding door. You’ll be able to use them again once the repair is complete.

-       If your doors are sticking, try adjusting the screws that hold the assembly rollers in place at the bottom of the frame. It may be a case of loosening them a little bit.

-       There are many ways your sliding door can become faulty. From broken seals to foggy glass – in which case you should contact a professional for additional help.  

 How to fix a sliding door

Once you’ve completed the above, you’re now ready to start the process of fixing a sliding door. Here’s how to do it:

1) Firstly, you’ll notice two doors, one that’s stationary and one that slides. To begin with, you’ll need to remove the stationary door. To do this, you’ll need to remove the screws holding it in place. You may notice a strip of metal, which also needs to be taken out. Once you’ve done this, simply pull and lift.  

2) Next, you’ll need to turn your attention to the remaining sliding door. Similarly to the stationary door, remove any necessary screws, lift, and pull the door out. Try to rest both doors on a pair of sawhorses or on a supported platform where you can safely leave them.

3) Once both doors are removed, you can now begin fixing or replacing the roller assemblies. Try to clean out any debris or rust surrounding the rollers that may be preventing the doors from sliding. Also, for those with older sliding doors, you may need to remove the frames first to access the assembly rollers.   

4) If your original roller assemblies are beyond economical repair, you’ll need to purchase brand-new rollers and fit them back into the bottom of the frame. But before you do, it’s a good idea to give the bottom of the track a good clean to ensure the doors slide smoothly once they’re fitted. You can even test the new rollers to make sure they slide along seamlessly.

5) Afterwards, it’s a matter of putting everything back in place again. Start by fitting the sliding door onto your new assembly rollers. Make sure to fit any additional screws or frames that you might have removed.

6) Finally, place the stationary door back into its original position with the appropriate screws. Ensure all screws are tightened and securely fastened.

Tips to avoid issues

-       Be careful when carrying the sliding door. Drop it and it may shatter, so be sure to ask for help if required.

-       There’s a wide range of assembly rollers available. If you need to replace your assembly rollers, make sure to bring the original ones with you to correctly purchase ones that’ll fit.

-       When removing the glass doors, avoid being heavy handed - this could lead to further damages.

-       You should wear protective gloves or goggles whilst removing the doors, just to be on the safe side.

-       Always collect the screws and keep them in a safe place where they won’t get lost. We recommend keeping them in a small bowl or box.

-       Take images of the doors beforehand, just to remind you of how it looked previously. Refer to this image once everything is fitted.