Keep your doors rolling smoothly. Sliding glass doors should slide. When they don't, they become see-through walls. If your door bumps along the track or jumps it completely when you open and close it or is just hard to pull, there is a good chance you can fix it with a few simple tools and a bit of muscle. The mechanism that lets the door slide freely along the track is simple and restoring it to its original condition is usually simple as well. The type of repair you need to perform depends on the symptoms your door exhibits. Open the door far enough to insert a screwdriver into the bottom of the door frame edge. The door's wheel-height adjustment screws are located inside the holes just above the bottom of the leading and trailing edges of the frame. Inspect the gap between the bottom of the door and the track surface. There should be a uniform gap of between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch between them. The most common cause of a dragging or stuck door is low clearance. Insert the screwdriver into the hole in the edge of the door with no clearance.

Turn the adjustment screw clockwise to raise the door until you get a gap of at least 1/8-inch. Repeat this procedure on the opposite edge if necessary. Remove dirt and debris from the track with a wire brush. With the door in the closed position, scrub the surface of the track paying special attention to the raised wheel guides. Any obstruction on the track will prevent the wheels from operating smoothly. This should be done as soon as the door pulls roughly or feels like it is rolling over gravel when opening or closing. Clean the loose debris with a vacuum cleaner or broom. Move the door to the fully open position, scrub the exposed track with a wire brush and remove any loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom. Remove the door from the track. Open the door about half way, lift it straight up and pull the bottom toward yourself until it is free of the track. Keep a firm grip on both edges of the door while you do this. Sliding glass doors are kept in place by the track on the bottom and a simple channel guide at the top of the frame.

Once clear of the bottom track, the door will drop out of the frame completely. Lay the door flat on a stable surface. Inspect the guide wheels. Rotate both wheels while inspecting them for cracks, flat or worn spots and dirt. Small rocks or bits of debris often become trapped in the wheel's guide channel and keep it from rolling smoothly. Remove and replace a worn, cracked or defective wheel. In most cases, this is done by loosening and removing the wheel assembly mounting screw on the bottom of the frame. Patio Furniture Store Trenton NjSpray the guide wheels liberally with lubricant. Zillow Homes For Sale Ellicott City MdCleaning and lubricating the wheels noticeably extends their useful life and improves the door's ability to slide. Blue Pitbull Puppies For Sale In Mn

Clean the track with a wire brush and remove any loose debris with a vacuum cleaner. Measure the length of the guide track from one side of the door opening to the other. Use a hacksaw to cut a length of track cap to fit the door opening. Set the track cap, open channel down, over the existing guide track. Tap the cap lightly into place with a rubber mallet. Hammering too hard will flatten the top of the cap. Start at one end and work slowly toward the opposite end. Replace the door only after the entire cap is securely in place. Things You Will Need Screwdriver Wire brush Broom or vacuum cleaner Spray lubricant Track Cap Hacksaw Rubber mallet Tip Warning References Sliding Glass Door Repair: Practical Sliding Glass Door Repair IdeasThis Old House: Sliding Glass Door Doesn't Slide Photo Credits Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Installing a sliding glass door is not for a first-time DIYer. However, if you have some experience under your tool belt and the necessary materials it can be accomplished with relative ease. 

First, you’ll want to know what type of sliding glass door you plan to use. All sliding glass doors feature one door that gently glides past the other, offering access to the outdoors. This door is on a track system that is installed in the framework or jamb of the door. Wood and fiberglass are the two most common residential materials for the doors, and many models can be ordered with transoms or sidelights to allow additional light into your home. As for styles there are numerous options available. Perhaps, the most popular version is the classic full pane that reveals a complete view of the outdoors. More contemporary models offer different pane designs that appear similar to French doors or have patterned panes that add a decorative touch. If you want a screen to allow a breeze into your home — without inviting insects indoors — many models are also available with this option. You can browse models online or at a local home improvement store. When you find a style you’ll love, there are few things you’ll want to know before purchasing and installing the new door system:

When you go to purchase the doors, be sure to take the measurements of your existing door (both inside and outside the frame) to ensure you order or purchase the proper size. The same goes for doors that will be going into newly made openings. Most sliding doors come in kits with framework; you will need to construct the frame onsite before installing the doors. At a minimum, you will need a drill or screw gun and wood glue for this. If you are replacing an existing sliding door, you’ll need to remove the door that is in place along with its jamb. Once these are down, make any necessary repairs to the surface before putting the new framework and door in place. Be sure to have at least one other person to assist you with installation. Sliding glass doors can be heavy, and you’ll want another set of hands to help with placing the framework and holding the doors in place while they are secured. As with any exterior door, proper fit is key. You may need to use shims and caulk to fill any gaps in the framework to ensure the door is plumb and that there are no air leaks, which could lead to added energy costs down the road.