In order to open your doors without having to worry about bugs getting inside, your home, or your pets leaving, screen doors are a very common home improvement. They are frequently added to hinged storm doors, but more frequently, they are installed next to sliding glass doors. They not only assist with air flow but also with blending your patio or deck into the interior of your house. Moreover, sliding screen doors use much less room than hinged ones. Yet, one of the frequent problems with sliding screen doors is that they can be a little weak. All weather-related hardships, such as wind, rain, and snow, fall mostly on them. Moreover, they are not as firmly installed as standard doors. Your sliding screen door may occasionally come off its track due to these two circumstances. If this occurs, don't be alarmed; you can generally resolve this on your own. First off, all you'll need is a stepladder and a Phillips head screwdriver. It will be a huge assistance if you can also acquire an extra set of hands!
Ultimate Guide To Set A Sliding Screen Door Back On Track
There are a few reasons why your sliding screen door can come off its track, but, the most common issue is that the door's wheels have actually come off the track. This causes the door to come off when you try to move it. Even while it could appear like a major problem, it's actually pretty easy to resolve. A screwdriver is all you actually need, but a brush, broom, or handheld hoover attachment will also come in handy. To start, locate the two external screws that are holding the sliding mechanism in place at the top of your sliding door. Loosening these screws will enable you to raise and lower the door. The sliding screen door may then be repositioned on the tracks, and the screws can be tightened once more to ensure that it is securely fastened. While the door is off track, it could be a good idea to perform some maintenance so it won't do so again soon.
Step 1: Get The Rollers/Wheels Ready
- The top rollers and wheels will need to be adjusted so that they are spring-loaded rather than locked in place.
- The sliding security screen door must be viewed from the inside to make the roller/wheel adjustment.
- To induce the roller or wheel to take the shape of a spring, the screw must be loosened in a small hole on the inside of the top frame.
- When you can press the roller or wheel down inside the frame and it rises back up again, insert your Phillips head screwdriver into this little hole and turn anticlockwise.
- Make sure you apply this on the upper frame's two additional rollers or wheels. Check the bottom rollers in order to see if they are locked or spring loaded before using your extra hands to assist in lifting the security door.
Step 2: Get Ready To Lift The Screen Back In Place
- If they are spring-loaded, lift the door while pushing them up in the bottom frame, then slide the top of the frame into the top track.
- This should be acceptable if the bottom rollers are locked because the top rollers/wheels are already spring-loaded.
- You need to push the bottom frame back on the bottom track as well as release the bottom rollers after the top of the frame has been brought back inside the top track and the bottom rollers/wheels have been pushed inside the bottom track.
- Cross your fingers: The sliding security door should now be back on its tracks! The top rollers and wheels in the frame can now be adjusted (from the inside) by grabbing a Phillips head screwdriver and spinning anticlockwise to tighten the rollers and wheels and make them secure.
Preventative Measures
- It's a good idea to take care of the wheels while the screen door is off because they are the main cause of your screen door coming off its track. Cleaning and lubricating the wheels will make sure they roll as smoothly as possible. To do this, dust them with a wire brush and then lubricate the wheels with something like WD-40 to keep them rolling easily.
- The actual track itself may have contributed to the wheels becoming stuck or muddy in the first place. Here is where the hoover, broom, or brush is useful. Clean out all the dirt and grime that has gathered in the track over time, and you can even add some of the oil you used on your wheels. Just slide the door back in from the bottom to the top and tighten the screws again to complete the installation.