Maintenance Tips For Sliding Impact Doors

Sliding impact doors bring your space a unique blend of functionality and style. They protect your home from harsh weather conditions like storms and hurricanes while enhancing its esthetics. These doors open up your space to the outdoors, allowing natural lighting to come in and facilitating free air circulation in rooms.

Like all other home features and systems, sliding doors must be well taken care of to last longer. You need a preventative maintenance schedule to save you future repair costs and inconveniences. Here are some tips to help you maintain your sliding doors and enhance their longevity.

Cleaning Regularly

Sliding doors require more than just the obvious cleaning of marks and fingerprints on the glass pane. Wheels and tracks also need some care. Removing build-up dirt allows them to glide easily when rolling. These simple cleaning steps can leave your door looking spotless.

• Vacuum the door area and wipe using a damp cloth to clean the dirt trapped on the tracks.
• Cover the pointed end of a screwdriver with an old sock to get to areas that a general wipe and vacuum couldn’t reach. The old sock prevents the screwdriver from scratching the doors and causing damage.
• Have two microfiber cloths – one damp and the other dry – to clean the glass windows. Use the wet cloth to thoroughly scrub all the dirt that may have been blown onto your glass panes, such as bugs or bird poo. Come in with a dry cloth and wipe away all the wetness without leaving any streaks behind to leave a stunning glass pane.

Lubricating the Tracks

Once the tracks are free from any debris and dust, the next step is to lubricate the sliding door. Regular lubrication of bottom tracks enables sliding doors to open easily without sticking. Always check the type of tracks on your doors and use the appropriate lubricants.

Vinyl tracks require a silicone-based, non-stick lubricant to prevent dirt from sticking to the door and causing clogging. However, aluminum sliding tracks don’t need lubrication since they’re not prone to rusting, and lubrication may cause clogging.

Replacing Worn Out Rollers

Dirty rollers can be cleaned, lubricated, and reinstalled. In cases when you are constantly adjusting your door rollers, take it as a sign that they are due for a replacement. Here is how to go about a replacement:

• Loosen the roller screw that holds the rollers in position using a screwdriver, then place them safely until you’re ready to put the new ones.
• Pull out the rollers gently from both sides of the sliding door once the door loosens.
• Line up the roller holes with those at the bottom of the door and insert the new rollers by adjusting them anticlockwise with a screwdriver until they are tightly positioned.

Examine Weather Stripping

Weatherstripping prevents water and air infiltration around doors by sealing gaps. Homeowners are encouraged to examine weather stripping and seals for any signs of wear, such as tears, gaps, or cracks that may reduce energy efficiency and cause water leaks and drafts.

To replace worn-out weather stripping, remove the old one, clean the area to remove any adhesive residue, and apply the new one.

Check for Cracks and Damage

Regular checkups can help you address minor issues that may escalate to significant problems if unaddressed. Constantly inspect the frame of your impact sliding door and glass panes for cracks or any other forms of damage. Look out for chips and cracks on the glass panes, corrosion, and warping on the door frame.

If you find any abnormalities, consult a professional promptly to replace your impact door to avoid compromising your home’s structural safety and integrity.

Protect Against Corrosion

Metal components of homes in coastal regions are prone to salt air corrosion. Homeowners can consistently rinse door frames and hardware with clean, fresh water and then apply a lubricant or corrosion-resistant spray to the metal parts. This procedure maintains the longevity of your door by preventing rust in corrosive surroundings.

Seek Professional Inspections

Professional sliding impact door inspections are essential since they have the proper equipment and experience to detect issues a homeowner may overlook. They conduct an extensive checkup and have the tools to perform adjustments, replacements, or repairs. You can book these checkups as part of our routine maintenance every few months or after extreme weather conditions.

Mistakes to Avoid When Maintaining Sliding Impact Doors

Every homeowner wishes to have durable impact doors that provide adequate protection at home. Avoiding the following mistakes during maintenance can increase the longevity of your door and maintain its quality.

DIYing Complex Repairs

Some sliding door repairs can be complex and require professional consultation. DIY’ing may introduce new faults or escalate the existing problem. Improper sealing or fitting may compromise the sliding door’s ability to protect the home from intrusions and harsh weather elements.

Using Abrasive Cleaners

Using abrasive cleaning solutions on impact doors can permanently spoil the glass pane and frames or cause scratches. This reduces the impact of the door’s aesthetic appeal and functionality in protecting the home against weather elements.

Skipping Regular Inspections

Conduct routine inspections to identify signs of wear early enough. Minor issues, such as damaged seals, can cause water infiltration if not detected early enough. Weakened frames can also reduce the door system’s impact resistance.

Cleaning in Direct Sunlight

Cleaning impact doors in direct sunlight can leave residue and streaks due to the rapid evaporation of the cleaning solution. This mistake reduces the visual clarity of your sliding door’s glass pane and can lead to cleaning agent build-up on the surface.

Disregarding the Manufacturer’s Instructions

Sliding impact doors have guidelines for proper care and maintenance. Some manufacturers may even go the extra mile and outline a list of things to avoid when handling these doors. Disregarding such instructions can warrant practices inappropriate for your door design or material. An oversight may reduce the sliding door’s lifespan or protective capability.

Forgetting to Dry Glass Panes

Forgetting to dry the glass after cleaning your door leaves water droplets, and mineral remains to form. If done continuously, this mistake compromises the glass’s appearance and clarity and may damage sills and frames. Spoiled frames can lead to corrosion, rotting, or mold, weakening the door’s structural components.

South Florida Sliding Impact Door Installation Company

Sliding impact doors are designed to withstand severe weather conditions like strong winds and hurricanes while protecting your home. They also light up your house with their unique style, easy accessibility, and expansive views. By maintaining them regularly, you can sustain their durability and service to preserve your home’s structural integrity.

If you’re looking for sliding impact doors and windows in South Florida, STS Impact Windows, Doors & Roofing can suit your safety and design needs. We’re the leading provider of impact-resistant windows and doors in South Florida.

Get a free quote today or contact us at our toll-free number, 877-822-4672, for a free consultation.