We usually don’t think about caring for our sliding glass doors until there is a problem, such as a door that sticks or is hard to open. Sliding glass doors get a lot of use in the summer. Here is how to care for them and keep them in great shape.
It is important to keep the tracks of the sliding glass doors clean and well lubricated so that they function well and do not cause damage. One amazingly easy way to do this is to use good old furniture polish. Just spray the tracks and use a dry cloth or a paper towel to wipe them. The polish will not only clean the tracks, but also lubricate them. I’ve tried this with our sliding glass shower doors, too.
If your tracks are nice and clean but they still stick, you can also try this trick. Get a piece of waxed paper and fold it into a square with the waxy side out. Rub the wax paper along the track. This will help the doors glide smoothly in between cleanings.
If you are still having trouble with your glass doors sliding properly, you just may need to adjust the rollers. There should be adjustment screws on either side of the rollers, but they may be hidden by a plug. Research your model of doors for instructions on adjusting the sliding glass door rollers, or contact a professional handyman to do the job for you. For really old doors, the rollers themselves may need to be replaced.
The summer is also a good time to take a look at your weather stripping. Sun and warmer temperatures plus heavy use can make weather stripping crack. Although, some stripping is the kind that is removed in the warmer weather and replaced in the winter, permanent weather striping not only keeps out the cold in the winter, but it also can cut down on your cooling costs in the summer.