There’s nothing more annoying than a patio door that won’t open and close properly. One common issue many homeowners face is when the patio door seems to slowly drop or sag over time, becoming difficult to slide open and shut. If your patio door drops, it can be a real hassle and even a potential safety issue. You might wonder why your patio door drops and whether you can fix it yourself.
At Precision Door & Window, we have made it our mission to provide homeowners with high-quality door and window solutions. In this blog post, we’ve covered the common reasons for this issue and solutions to fix it.
Why Does a Patio Door Drop?
There are a few main reasons why patio doors drop and no longer operate smoothly on their tracks:
#1 Loose Hinges/Hardware
Over years of continual use, the screws and hardware holding the door in place can loosen and become misaligned. This allows the door to sag out of its proper positioning.
#2 Foundation Settlement
If the home settles into the soil unevenly over time, it can pull the door frame out of the square, causing the door to sit crookedly in its track and rub or stick. Also, general misalignment of the door frame can be the reason why your patio door is not working properly.
#3 Worn Rollers/Tracks
The small rollers along the bottom of the patio door glide back and forth in tracks. As these rollers and tracks wear down from constant friction, gaps are created that let the door drop slightly.
#4 Improper Installation
In some cases, patio doors may have been installed incorrectly from the start, positioned in a way that allowed sagging to occur immediately.
#5 Lack Of Lubrication
Another reason your patio doors don’t function easily is the absence of proper lubrication. Consider applying a lubricant to the door’s moving parts (like rollers, tracks, etc.) to make your door function smoothly again.
#6 Climatic Conditions
Climate can affect the smooth functioning of your patio doors. For doors made from materials like wood, exposure to moisture or rain can cause issues like dropping.
Signs Your Patio Door Has Dropped
How can you tell if your patio door has dropped or has issues? Telltale signs include the door feeling noticeably harder to slide, gaps between the door and frame, sticking when opening or closing, and if you can visibly see the door isn’t sitting level in its track anymore.
Can You Fix a Dropped Patio Door Yourself?
Yes, for minor issues, you can perform some DIY fixes for dropped patio doors before calling in professionals. But if the problem continues after a day or two, calling a professional is a wiser option!
Here are a few DIY fixes that you can try before calling an expert:
- Tighten all installation screws and hinges to resecure the door’s positioning.
- Adjust the rollers by tweaking the adjustment screws to raise or lower where the door meets the track.
- Use patio door shims along the sides to properly level and square up the door.
- Clean any grime in the tracks that could be contributing to poor roller operation.
- Replace any cracked or damaged rollers with new ones for smoother opening and closing.
However, if the patio door dropping has become a major issue, attempting realignments yourself can often do more harm than good. Major foundation shifts may require professional repair or even replacing the patio door entirely to restore proper operation.
Bonus Tip: Look For Dropping Early
The key is to stay aware and address any minor issues right when you first notice sticking or rubbing beginning to occur. Taking action early can prevent the issue from compounding into a much bigger problem down the road that’s more difficult and costly to fix. A little maintenance can help your patio door keep operating smoothly for years to come.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Dropped Patio Door?
The average cost homeowners pay to fix a patio door is $120 – $250 per door. The total cost depends on the specific repairs needed. Using higher-end materials or installing an entirely new patio door could raise the price to the $500 to $1,000 range.
Why You Should Consider Hiring A Professional To Fix Your Patio Door
Here are a few reasons why you should think about calling an expert to fix your patio door:
#1 Proper Diagnosis
While fixing a dropping door may seem an easy task, underlying reasons like foundation settling or improper installation need to be identified before work can begin. A professional can properly diagnose and identify the root cause. For severely dropped doors or issues like broken tracks or rollers, it becomes a complex project best left to experienced repair technicians rather than DIY.
#2 Avoid Further Damage
Attempting to fix a patio door incorrectly again and again or realigning it without any knowledge or experience can inadvertently lead to more damage. The experts know the proper techniques, and they can identify the correct reason for the issue and fix it without harming other components.
#3 Long-Term Solution
Quick DIY fixes may provide temporary relief but often don’t fully solve a dropping door long-term. Professionals will use their experience and provide a long-term solution. Between acquiring the right tools, figuring out techniques, and labor time, a professional can often complete the job faster with much less frustration.
Also Read: Should Patio Doors Swing In Or Out?
Call Precision Door & Window For Door Replacement Services In Temecula, CA
If you are looking for new or replacement door services in Temecula, CA, and the surrounding areas, we are here to assist you. At Precision Window & Door, our team of professionals possesses the extensive knowledge and experience required to execute your patio door replacement project flawlessly.
We are here to guide you through every step of the process, from selecting the perfect door to suit your needs and aesthetic preferences to precise measurements and expert installation. Call us today at (951) 595-0126 for more information or to book a consultation.