How To Replace The Rollers On Your Patio Door

Have you noticed your patio door is getting harder and harder to open? Maybe it's time to change the rollers on the door. They generally last from ten to fifteen years but they do wear out and its a job that a do-it-yourselfer can accomplish with a little advice and some strong arms to get the door out!

Sliding patio doors are usually aluminum but there are many wooden and vinyl models on the market. All of them use ball bearing rollers to slide easily back and forth. The aluminum and some vinyl doors have a door bottom that is held in place by 2 screws on either side of the door near the bottom. Beneath the screw is usually an open hole in which there is an adjusting screw to raise the roller up and down. The wooden doors often have pairs of rollers due to their extra weight. The adjusting screws are accesible through plastic caps covering holes in the front of the door bottom.

I mention the adjusting screws because you need to check them before deciding to pull the door out and replace the rollers. Slide a big flat blade screwdriver underneath the door on one side and lift slightly to remove the weight from the roller. Use another screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw. See if that makes the door slide better.

Sometimes thats all thats necessary but if the adjusting screws wont turn or are totally missing, you will have to lift the door out of its track and remove the large screws holding the door bottom on and pull the door bottom off. Get help to lift the door out. Two people are needed to safely handle even the smaller patio doors. The door bottom may not pull off easily especially if the door is old. Check for any metal tabs that may be holding it on and gently work the bottom off.

Some old aluminum and vinyl patio doors have rollers that use one screw both to mount the roller and to adjust it. These types of rollers can often be changed without removing the bottom of the door. Look carefully at the bottom of the door in case there is room to pull the roller assembly out.

Wooden patio door rollers are somewhat easier to change, although the door itself is much heavier. The rollers are often screwed in to the wood door bottom. Remove the screws, and out come the roller.

Some Vinyl patio doors are glued together. They were never intended to come apart. You may not be able to remove the rollers if you see no visible screws holding the frame together. Also vinyl doors are often brittle with age and crack easily as you try to pry off the door bottom. Take extra care if you have a vinyl patio door.

Once you have the bottom off the patio door it should be easy to see how the rollers are held in. Usually, removing one screw or bending a metal tab is all thats necessary. Remove the rollers and take them with you to your local glass shop to get the proper replacements.

To reassemble everything start by adjusting the new rollers so they are up as high as they can go. You dont want them getting in the way when you reinstall the door on its track. Make sure you cover the roller retaining screws with cork or rubber if they come near the bare glass in the door bottom. If the metal screws touch the glass, it will crack.

Replace the door bottom, reinstall the screws that secure it and lift the door back in to place. Follow the instructions gave earlier for adjusting the rollers. You should now be able to see the door move up and down when you turn the adjusting screws. You will also be able to align the door with the frame using the screws. Your patio door lock may need to be adjusted to compensate for the new door height.

Try the door and you should be amazed at how easy it is to close. It should only require a couple of pounds of force to open and close. No more fighting with a heavy door and you did it all yourself!

About The Author

Adrian Dunevein runs a self help website for people who want to do their own window and door screen repair. The website is a complete resource for anyone needing to repair or replace any type of screen.

adrian@all-about-screen-doors.com

---

A New Era in Bathroom Technology - Bathroom Home Improvements

Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to... Read More

Ridding Your Home of Geopathic Stress

Just as there are solar magnetic stresses that come from... Read More

Kitchen Remodeling Guide

A kitchen can make or ruin a family life. A... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Protect Your Hardwood Floor From Disaster

Common knowledge states that hardwood floors are a great investment... Read More

Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway

The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway... Read More

You Get What You Pay for when it Comes to Above Ground Pools

When you think about an above ground pool do you... Read More

Ideas For Interior Design

Ideas for interior design are a dime a dozen these... Read More

Heres What a Jacuzzi Will Do For You

Jacuzzi's are a great recreational and health benefit for a... Read More

Aluminium Window Frames

When double glazing first became a popular window choice in... Read More

Cheap Interior Design Ideas

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days.... Read More

Repairing a Hole in a Sheetrocked Wall

It is quite simple to repair a hole in a... Read More

Your Candles Are Killing You and Your Furniture - Substitute It!

Even though most of the houses are well lighted with... Read More

Creating Dynamic Window Coverings Without Breaking the Budget

When creating dynamic window coverings, it's important to choose carefully,... Read More

Interior Design Simply Means Personalizing Your Interior Environment

Interior Design today is all about customizing your built environment... Read More

Area Rug Buyers Guide

When you begin decorating your home there are some important... Read More

Cork Flooring Is The Best Option Around For Durability And Aesthetic Value

It is inevitable, almost everyone no matter how long they... Read More

How to Remodel A Small Bathroom

Not all bathrooms can be lavish spaces with whirlpool tubs... Read More

Kitchen Design Online ? Understanding the Work Triangle and Kitchen Layouts

Good kitchen design online means having a layout for your... Read More

New Tax Breaks for Energy Efficient Home Improvements

If you would like to make your existing home more... Read More

10 Tips for Working With a Contractor

This is the year you're going all out. You're going... Read More

5 Questions To Ask Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project

1. What experience does your contractor have with this type... Read More

Improving Your Bathrooms Appearance can be as Simple as Changing Your Bathroom Cabinets

Your choice of bathroom cabinet can affect the look and... Read More

Selecting a Laminate Floor to Suite Your Needs

The traditional look of hardwood flooring is timeless; its beauty... Read More

Home Inspection: A Doctor Visit for Your Home

Has your house had a check up yet?Home inspection is... Read More

How to Finance a New Kitchen?

Want to improve the look of your property? Want to... Read More

Bathroom Wall Cabinets ? Create Extra Space with a Touch of Style!

Is your bathroom looking cluttered? How about fitting new bathroom... Read More

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the... Read More

Electric Radiant Floor Heating

Electric radiant floor heating systems are heating systems designed for... Read More

Concrete Cutting: The Unknown Niche

What is Concrete Cutting?Concrete cutting is a process of controlled... Read More

How to Install a New Toilet in 5 Easy Steps

If your toilet is old and in need of repairs,... Read More

Replacement Windows and Double Glazing - Essential Buyers Tips

Welcome to my essential tips for replacemnent windows and double... Read More

Shopping For Carpet

The allure of carpet lays not only its soft and... Read More

Traditional Interior Design

Traditional interior design encompasses a great variety of elements in... Read More