How should I fix my patio door?
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at
1:41 am
My patio door is not sealing properly anymore. It is about 12 years old. The door is square but I believe the house has moved some which is causing gaps. What are my options for getting this fixed?
A) Should I replace the whole assy, door and jam included?
B) Should I replace the jam only?
C) Is there a way to take the molding off the jam and re-adjust the door assembly so that it is square again?
Thanks.
This is not a sliding door.
Tagged with: assy • gaps • google • molding • patio door • script type • sliding door • text javascript
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The answer is "c".
If you take the molding off there should be some insulation remove it, make sure you save it. Then you will see either nails or screws in the jam. If you have a sawzaw or a hack saw you can cut the nail or screws out and kick the door back square with some shims. But before you do that check it with a level so to see if it even needs to be done.. The weather seal that is around the door just mite be wore out and you can buy it at home depot or your local home store for about 20 to 30 dollars.
The sliding door part at the bottom has adjustable screws for this purpose, you can adjust both sides. If this not work and to far out of alignment, then total replacement is necessary.
With the door being 12yrs old shimming it up would be more trouble than it is worth. Buying a new jam might be possible but if you choose to take that route make sure you can get the jam for the door before you start taking it apart. They may not make a jam for that door anymore. Check your prices for just the jam vs. a complete set up you might be surprised.
If you look carefully, the door has recessed screws that will adjust the rollers up or down, the jamb (yes, it’s "jamb" not "jam", lol) really has nothing to do with any adjustments you may want to undertake, UNLESS the entire frame has shifted, which is rare. Using a good 4’0 level, check the actual jamb for "plumb", then check the door. Use a thin flat-blade screwdriver to make the actual door adjustments to the rollers. Once you re-plumb the door, see how it opens/closes, if the jamb was reasonably plumb, match the adjustment you make to the door to the jamb. Lubricate the rollers (WD-40, etc.) and see how it works. 12 years is not a significant amount of time, and you should be able to re-adjust the door to your satisfaction. BTW – new rollers can be installed on most major manufacturer slider doors (Anderson, Pella, etc.) – if you are unable to get the rollers to adjust, you can remove the door from the frame and get new rollers, they simply screw on. Ooops, I just re-read your question, if this isn’t a sliding door, what type of door is it?????
It sounds like you’re talking about a hinged French patio door? If so most of them have adjustable hinges. If you look at the hinges you should see at the top or center of the hinges a small opening that will allow an allen wrench to fit inside the hinge. You can adjust the door up and down as well as in and out on these allen screws. It takes considerable patience to get it right but with a little practice you can tweek the door to fit and solve your problem. Good luck