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There are a couple of types of patio screen doors, but the main type of screen door is hung on the outside and has rollers or glides located at the bottom and top. These are a simple door to remove and install so do not be intimidated by the job. All it will take is a few simple tools and a bit of patience to get the job done right. It is a good idea to have a can of spray lubricant such as WD-40 and a flat headed screwdriver. Again, this is not a difficult job to do, and since the door is located on the outside, it will only make it easier to work with.
First, locate the rollers or plastic glides. They will have an adjustment screw that must be loosened to prevent them from being broken during removal. The screw should be located, sticking up, near the roller/glide or at the edge of the door. When you find the screw, loosen it until the door is easy to move up and down in the door frame. If the screw has become rusted or corroded, apply some type of penetrating oil, let it stand for a few moments, and then try to loosen it again.
Using a flat bladed screwdriver gently lift the spring loaded rollers by sliding the tip of the screwdriver under them. A gentle prying at the bottom and top edges will release the door. Once the door is easy to lift out, remove it from the frame. Now that the door is out, it is a good time to check the rollers/glides.
Make sure all the glides or rollers move with ease. If they are sticking, apply a bit of light lubricant and adjust the screws to the desired tension. Once everything has been repaired, it is time to re-install the door. This is done by reversing the steps you made to remove the door.
It is best to re-install the door in the center of the patio door opening. Begin by placing the top edge of the door in first, putting the rollers back into the track at the top. Then you can push up slightly, and at the same time moving the bottom of the door back in line with the track at the bottom of the frame. If the bottom does not fit back in place easily, do not force it but instead use the screwdriver to gently pry the rollers over the lip of the track until the door fits into the track. Most bottom rollers are spring loaded so you won't need extra help to put the bottom of the door back in place.
Once the door is in the frame and moving well, adjust the rollers until the handle of the screen door lines up with the door frame on the side where it locks. The adjustment is usually a very small one; approximately only 1/8 of an inch is all that is needed. Be prepared to possibly re-position the lock hasp in order for it to function properly.
Most of the screen doors made today have plastic rollers or glides on them, so as a result, as the door ages the plastic becomes brittle and can break easily. They can be replaced, but with so many different manufacturers out there, you should take the old patio door hardware with you when you go to the hardware store to find the properly sized replacement part.
Once the job is complete, make sure to double check your work by testing the door in the track a few times. To make the job complete, it never hurts to wipe out any dirt and debris that may be in the track at the bottom of the door frame.
Patio doors can be removed quite easily by simply lifting straight up. The door should be able to be lifted up and swung out of the bottom aluminum track, and then the top should come out equally as easily.
Sometimes the sticking door is the result of the door‘s gliding system malfunction, or the hardware is corroded, or has tightened. This can be fixed by adjusting the bottom track roller or glider. A screw that holds the wheel in place may need to be loosened slightly but be careful since this hardware is often brittle and can break easily. Replacement glides or rollers can be purchased at your local hardware store but be sure to take the old one with you so that a proper replacement part is purchased. Once the wheel has been adjusted, re-install the door to see if this solves the problem. If not, it may be time for a trip to the hardware store to get a replacement glide or roller. It is also recommended to grease all working hardware to prevent further sticking or keep any of the metal parts from rusting up, making more issues down the road. Make sure that you do this before replacing the door in its frame.
Often the sticking door is the result of a dirty track, which is also a quick and easy fix for homeowners. Again, remove the patio door from the frame and put it somewhere safe from accidents. Use a broom or a whisk broom to clear the large debris away from and out of the track. Once that is done check the track for holes that have been made by the manufacturer. These holes are purposefully put there to help keep water drained away from the track. With a small piece of wire or an opened up paper clip, clear any dirt from those holes. Now it is time to find the vacuum cleaner or dust buster and give the tracks a quick vacuuming to make sure the smaller bits of dirt are all cleared out. Wash the tracks out and off using a mild detergent and water and rinse them with clear water once the first washing has been completed. Once the washing has been completed, let it air dry or wipe dry with a lint free cloth. To help prevent further sticking, rub the track with a waxy door lubricant or simply use a candle to coat the tracks with a light waxy coating to help keep the tracks easy to roll on. Now you are ready to re-install the door and give it a test run!
Sometimes the door is hard to slide because the rollers or glides have become dirty. You can choose to replace them, but with a minimal amount of effort, it may be just as quick and easy to clean them instead. You can use kerosene or charcoal lighting fluid or mineral spirits to clean off dirt and gummy materials from the rollers with the help of an old toothbrush. Make sure that you work in a well ventilated area when using these products and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and goggles in case you scrub a bit too vigorously! Again, once they are cleaned and dry, add a touch of lubricant to keep them working freely and prevent any corrosion from building up on them.
In each instance make sure to check the doors movement after the re-installation to be sure your repairs did the trick, then sit back, and feel proud of a job well done.