How to fix an older patio sliding door that's hard to slide open?
by
Sarg
+2
It's an older patio door and it is really hard to slide open. We tried to get it out of the track but had no luck. Everything we read , it said to keep the rollers clean but we can't get to them.
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Spray some WD-40 in the track.
Have you tried using some WD 40 and slide it back and forth across it. Spray it in the tracks you can see and maybe that will help. It could be you have gotten some small stones or gravel/grit in it and needs to be taken off by a professional. I would try the WD 40 first. Just keep applying until it is easier to slide?
WD40 or a silicone spray works well. In a pinch... use the side of a candle (wax) or a bar of soap.
You could also try using a high powered leaf blower to see if you can blow any of the debris out from the track. If that does work, take the hose and try to flush out any debris. Then blow the water out with the leaf blower...let dry and use WD 40...as Karen also suggested!
This may take some tedious work. Your door may have years of built up dust and dirt in the tracks the slider is opening into. Mix up some Dawn dishwashing soap and hot water. Open your sliding door all the way and poor some of the solution into the track. Open and close the door several times, this will moisten the rollers, then clean the track as well as possible using an old toothbrush and then dry well. You may have to do this several times. As a last resort, apply a small amount of lubricating oil into the track and open and close your door even more times. Hopefully this will make it slide more easily.