How to Fix a Patio Door

The sliding glass patio door sticks, grinds and the rollers make a most awful noise at any attempt to open or close it. If your patio door hinders enjoyment of the patio, there is no choice but to fix it. Professional door contractors charge $100 or more to replace the rollers, but with a helper, most homeowners can fix the patio door in a couple of hours and at a fraction of the cost.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver

1. Lift the screen door rollers with the screwdriver. Free the door from the track and set it aside.

2. Remove the metal piece holding the foot of the stationary door in place. Take out the screws. With a helper, pull the stationary door from the frame to gain access to the slider.

3. Take out the sliding patio door by turning the roller screws clockwise to loosen it from the frame. Lift the slider over the track and pull it out. Place it so the rollers are easy to access.

4. Unscrew both sides of the patio door frame and take off the piece covering the rollers. Take the rollers off and bring them to the hardware or home improvement store. Buy new rollers that align perfectly with the old rollers.

5. Attach the new rollers to the patio door and screw the frame back in place. Adjust the rollers so they are withdrawn completely into the frame.

6. Reinstall the slider into the frame and adjust the roller screws until the patio door moves smoothly along the track. Rehang and secure the stationary door and its metal footing. Replace the screen door.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean and lubricate the track before replacing the patio door to enhance ease of operation and extend roller life.
• This is a two person job. Glass patio doors are very heavy; attempting to fix them alone can result in damage to the doors and severe injury.

References

• How to Replace the Rollers on Your Patio Door
• Replacing Sliding Glass Doors Rollers