Andersen PermaShield 6' Sliding Patio Door
#1
09-17-17, 06:43 AM
Andersen PermaShield 6' Sliding Patio Door
Door is 29 years old, well maintained and rollers replaced last year. Lately it's been difficult to pull the door out of the jamb to get it rolling. The vinyl weather-stripping is clean and smooth but that's where I think the problem is. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
#3
09-17-17, 07:26 AM
Group Moderator
That door is super easy to remove and inspect. There is a stop on top with about 6 screws in it. Just remove that stop and the door will tip in, top first into the room. You can then lift it off, lay it on its side and inspect the rollers for damage. Also inspect the bottom track the rollers ride on for unusual wear, pitting, etc.
Also check the interlock... if it's distorted, dirty, etc. It could be tight there, giving the difficulty as you try to pull it open. Lubricate the rollers, weatherstripping, interlock, etc with silicone spray. The interlock has mating parts on both the operating panel and the fixed one.
The rollers should be adjusted to raise the door off the bottom jamb enough that it slides easily, and also adjusted front to back so that the door is plumb with the jamb when it's open 1/8"... that gap should be straight.
Also check the interlock... if it's distorted, dirty, etc. It could be tight there, giving the difficulty as you try to pull it open. Lubricate the rollers, weatherstripping, interlock, etc with silicone spray. The interlock has mating parts on both the operating panel and the fixed one.
The rollers should be adjusted to raise the door off the bottom jamb enough that it slides easily, and also adjusted front to back so that the door is plumb with the jamb when it's open 1/8"... that gap should be straight.
#4
09-18-17, 05:32 AM
Donato & XSleeper, I replaced the rollers last year the door rolls easily once I struggle to pull it out of the jamb. I've checked all the things you pointed out. I've cleaned the weatherstripping in the jamb, interlock and header and bottom many times. I've avoided applying silicone to these areas since sometimes they collect dust & dirt. I will try wiping some on with a cloth. Thanks for your help.
#5
09-18-17, 05:49 AM
Group Moderator
Look for distortion on the vinyl meeting rail. If the door is in the sun, it sometimes causes the vinyl to warp and get wiggly. Or as a way of narrowing down the problem, unscrew the meeting rail completely and see if it solves the problem.
#6
09-19-17, 06:10 AM
The weatherstripping on the meeting rail looks perfect and I won't attempt to remove it since it's stapled on and may not put it back exactly as it was. I feel the problem is in the jamb. I tried the silicone on the weatherstripping and it seemed better yesterday and now its hard to open again. 
#7
09-19-17, 06:16 AM
Group Moderator
I'm not suggesting you remove the weather strip itself from the part. I'm talking about the vinyl part, which can become warped, can get tight on the door, making it hard to open. (As I recall, it's screwed on and you have to remove the sliding panel to get to the screws.) When the door is closed it contacts in 2 places. The jamb... and the interlock. IMO it's more likely that the interlock is the problem than the jamb.
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/it...g_psgd_ws.html
If it's the jamb weatherstrip, it would be a part like this, applied with adhesive.
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/de...g_psgd_ws.html
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/it...g_psgd_ws.html
If it's the jamb weatherstrip, it would be a part like this, applied with adhesive.
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/de...g_psgd_ws.html
#8
09-19-17, 10:28 AM
This is what I have at the meeting rails.
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/de...g_psgd_ws.html
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/de...g_psgd_ws.html
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/de...g_psgd_ws.html
https://parts.andersenwindows.com/de...g_psgd_ws.html
#9
09-19-17, 10:37 AM
Group Moderator
So when you open the door, there isn't a part screwed onto one door or the other that interlocks them together when closed? Usually there is something that hooks one to the other to prevent high winds from separating them, or from someone sticking a Jimmy bar between them. Interesting.
Maybe your jamb weatherstripping is pinching... or isn't pliable enough anymore.
Maybe your jamb weatherstripping is pinching... or isn't pliable enough anymore.
#10
09-19-17, 03:19 PM
Trust me , that's the weatherstripping I have and it is pliable. I was in the glass, window & door business and have done many repairs. This one I can't figure out
If I stepped back and look at the door it is clear the door has drop about 3/16".
I took out a 2' level and put it up against the top jamb - it's level.
I took out a 4' level and put it up against the left and right sides of the jamb - they are plumb.
But visually I can see the door is "OFF".
It seems the door slab itself has sagged on the left side.
I can "fix" the lock issue easily by sliding the strike plate down, but that doesn't solve the real problem.
Any idea how to really fix this?
There is a long screw in each of the hinges that runs deep into the framing. Should I back them out and try to "finesse" things? But the jamb is plumb.
Is the door slab defective? It's a 36" JELD-WEN metal door.