Sliding Glass Door Freezes Shut in Winter
#1
12-04-06, 11:59 AM
Sliding Glass Door Freezes Shut in Winter
I have a sliding glass door and during the winter it gets a solid layer of ice on the outside and inside. There is another sliding door on the inside so heat loss is not a significant issue (yet) but I cannot open the door between December and February. I was wondering if anybody had any tips for this problem?
Sorry if this is in the wrong catagory, I couldn't find one that would fit my needs.
Thanks
Max Power
Sorry if this is in the wrong catagory, I couldn't find one that would fit my needs.
Thanks
Max Power
#2
12-04-06, 03:28 PM
Member
The sliding glass door is likely leaking warm, humid air from indoors. When warm, humid air makes contact with a cold surface, it condenses and freezes when temperatures are below freezing. Perhaps the door could be adjusted for a better fit and seal. Also, generously treated areas where doors freeze with WD-40 which may help prevent freezing. This is often recommended for locks, so it might work on the door, as may a graphite based lock lubricant. Rubber or vinyl gaskets can be wiped with vegetable oil. If door is frozen, you can thaw with blow dryer or de-icer from auto store.
#3
12-04-06, 03:30 PM
Not sure I understand, 2 sliding doors??? Door manufacturers are generally pretty good at getting water to drain away from the moving parts of sliding doors. If those drains are clogged or not functioning, then you will have problems. Check that any openings at the threshold are clear(sometimes those openings get caulked shut) and that is slopes down away from the door. As for the inside of the door, I can't picture what you have.
#4
12-04-06, 03:54 PM
Group Moderator
It sounds to me like you have an aluminum single pane sliding door with an aluminum single pane storm slider. Both are low quality doors that will ice up in the winter.
Aside from twelvepole's suggestions, there really is no solution to this problem aside from replacing the doors with a higher quality door that is more efficient. Be sure that the interior door is closed tightly, and as he mentioned, if it is out of adjustment (not straight on the closing side, or not interlocking in the middle) see if that can't be straightened out so that it shuts tightly. Warm interior air is being lost out that opening, which is creating all the condensation and ice between the two sliders.
Aside from twelvepole's suggestions, there really is no solution to this problem aside from replacing the doors with a higher quality door that is more efficient. Be sure that the interior door is closed tightly, and as he mentioned, if it is out of adjustment (not straight on the closing side, or not interlocking in the middle) see if that can't be straightened out so that it shuts tightly. Warm interior air is being lost out that opening, which is creating all the condensation and ice between the two sliders.
