Sliding Glass Door Maintenance

Sliding glass doors are typically installed in homes for access to the backyard or to a patio. They offer additional natural lighting. These doors need to be maintained properly to prevent problems.

History

The sliding enclosure was patented in 1961 by inventor Nelson D. Parsons. Five years later, inventor Harold D. Jones Jr. would patent the sliding screen for these doors.

Function

The function of sliding glass doors is to allow access and a view of a specific area of the home or yard. Keeping the glass clean allows in maximum light..

Types

There are manual and electronic sliding glass doors available for homeowners. Check the electrical outlet every six months to be sure no accidental damage has occurred, such as a cracked switch plate cover.

Effects

Poorly maintained sliding glass doors will not open and close easily and might come off their tracks. The most common problem is dirt in the roller tracks.

Prevention/Solution

Vacuum the roller tracks, on both the manual and electrical units, several times a week. Once a month, use a damp cloth to wipe additional debris out of the tracks. Lubricate the rollers and tracks with a spray lubricant, such as WD-40, as needed to prevent sluggish opening and closing.

Misconceptions

You do not have to remove the doors completely in order to perform routine maintenance on sliding glass doors. One set of tracks will be exposed with the doors completely shut. After cleaning that tract, open the doors completely, to expose and clean the other set of tracks.

References

• Patent Information
• On the House