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When winter arrives, freezing mornings and cold winds make it imperative to insulate and warm your house. Sliding patio doors add a beautiful touch to your home, but if not well-maintained, they allow drafts and lead to energy loss. Regular maintenance prevents expensive patio door repairs and keeps your doors moving effortlessly during winter.
The first step in caring for your sliding patio door during winter is to clean the frames and tracks carefully. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate, making the door difficult to slide and potentially causing it to come off its track. Start by vacuuming loose dirt using a narrow attachment. Lastly, wipe the tracks using a damp cloth and a mild detergent. For tough dirt stains, a toothbrush is an excellent choice. Clean tracks prevent sticking and reduce roller wear, so your door glides smoothly.
Weatherstripping is your door's first line of defense against cold air invasion. Over time, this substance can become cracked or deteriorate, allowing drafts to increase, which can cause your heating bill to soar. Inspect the weatherstripping along your sliding patio door routinely, and replace it if you notice damage or looseness. You can make a huge impact on the comfort of your home by doing this easy maintenance task, and you won't have to fix your patio door.
Clear, breezy days are ideal for checking for drafts. Hold your hand near the door edges to detect cold air leaks. If you find small openings, seal them with weather tape or caulk. If you notice a constant leak, or the glass is cracked or foggy, it may be time to call professional services for patio door repair or replacement of sliding door glass. Repairing these issues early will pay for itself in heating charges and will also make your house feel cozier.
Winter weather could make sliding doors rigid. To make them continue sliding smoothly, lubricate the rollers and tracks with a silicone-based lubricant. Oil-based products should be avoided as they tend to trap dirt and grime. Lubricating not just makes your sliding doors function more efficiently but also extends the life of their hardware.
If your patio sliding door has a screen, it would be best to remove it before winter arrives. It can become damaged by snow and ice, causing it to tear or damage the frame, which would result in unnecessary patio door repairs. Also, as a routine, clear snow and ice from the area around the door to avoid damage and make it easy for it to slide.
Maintaining your sliding patio door during the winter season is essential to ensure comfort and efficiency in your home. These simple steps will help you prevent costly patio door repair and sliding door glass replacement, keeping your door functional and aesthetically pleasing for the season.