New House sliding patio doors hard to open
#1
10-17-10, 06:21 PM
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New House sliding patio doors hard to open
My daughter and son in law, recently purchased a new house, just constructed. We are going thru and trying to fix all of the problems. One of the issues is the sliding patio door in the walkout basement. It is Guardian brand and very hard sliding. There is an adjustment for the rollers and we have tried to adjust them, but to no avail. Also, have cleaned the track and used a dry graphite spray to lubricate, which still doesn't help. Any ideas. Is Guardian a decent brand. We have asked the builder a few other questions, but he isn't to quick about getting back to us.
#2
10-17-10, 07:04 PM
Group Moderator
Don't know anything about Guardian Doors. Is it vinyl? If so there are hundreds of vinyl door and window companies. A lot of the stuff builders use is pretty low quality but it's hard for us to imagine what you have sight unseen.
When you say you have tried to adjust the rollers "to no avail" does that mean they didn't move? Or they moved but it didn't help, or what? Not all doors slide like they are on ball bearings, but usually you can tell if a door is dragging on bottom. It might help if you raise the door up with a prybar, then try to adjust the rollers. You can also try to remove the sliding panel and check the rollers to see if one of them is locked up or something.
When you say you have tried to adjust the rollers "to no avail" does that mean they didn't move? Or they moved but it didn't help, or what? Not all doors slide like they are on ball bearings, but usually you can tell if a door is dragging on bottom. It might help if you raise the door up with a prybar, then try to adjust the rollers. You can also try to remove the sliding panel and check the rollers to see if one of them is locked up or something.
#3
10-18-10, 05:00 AM
The builder should give you a clean, operable house. Is there a HOW? Stay on the builder's case until all the "oops" are taken care of. You'll probably find more.
#4
10-18-10, 07:50 AM
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slider
Yes the door is vinyl and is pretty heavy. I will try holding up with a prybar and adjusting. I really need to take the door off and look at the rollers. Also I am going to check that the door is setting square. It was hard to open, since they moved in, in June. There is an adjustment on both sides, so it is possible that they are out of whack. Although, when you turn the adjuster, nothing seems to move at all. I agree the builder needs to fix, but this should be fairly simple. I have looked on line for Guardian doors and not able to find much out about them and nothing on this particular door.
#6
10-19-10, 04:54 AM
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#7
10-19-10, 12:18 PM
I just installed a vinyl patio door (different brand) while adding a room to our lake home. It was really hard to open/close in one spot, until I fixed it.
I adjusted the rollers up, to increase the clearance on the bottom. That helped some, but didn't completely fix it. When you adjust, make sure you're actually moving the rollers. To make sure, pull the door out, then look at it while you're moving the adjustment screw. Sometimes the adjustment screw works backwards from what you're expecting. This will also give you a chance to inspect the rollers, to make sure they're not defective.
Lubricate the door with Pledge, or a similar spray wax. That works better than the spray graphite (it worked perfectly in my case.
Of course, if your door frame's out of square or bowed, none of this may help.
I adjusted the rollers up, to increase the clearance on the bottom. That helped some, but didn't completely fix it. When you adjust, make sure you're actually moving the rollers. To make sure, pull the door out, then look at it while you're moving the adjustment screw. Sometimes the adjustment screw works backwards from what you're expecting. This will also give you a chance to inspect the rollers, to make sure they're not defective.
Lubricate the door with Pledge, or a similar spray wax. That works better than the spray graphite (it worked perfectly in my case.
Of course, if your door frame's out of square or bowed, none of this may help.
#8
10-19-10, 12:32 PM
Super Moderator
Also...if this is an all vinyl frame...make sure the panel is not rubbing on the edges of the frame. Easy to see..just look for rub marks.
As to the lubrication..a silicone spray or even a simple white candle (paraffin) is a good choice. Some of the things like Pledge may have solvents that can affect the vinyl. I never spray anything directly on a door....spray on a rag then wipe on.
As to the lubrication..a silicone spray or even a simple white candle (paraffin) is a good choice. Some of the things like Pledge may have solvents that can affect the vinyl. I never spray anything directly on a door....spray on a rag then wipe on.
#9
10-20-10, 04:20 AM
Member
I asked about the manufacturer since Guardian Industries makes glass for many companies and the name is etched in the corner of the glass. You should correct the problem with the advice given above.
#10
10-20-10, 08:44 AM
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