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If you have sliding patio door in your house, whether it leads to a pool area, patio, porch or outdoor kitchen, it’s important to keep it clean and well maintained. These tasks involve anything from cleaning the track of debris to washing the windows regularly. Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your Idaho home’s patio door.

Clean the Glass

Clean and shiny windows give you an unobstructed view of the outdoors. Nothing is more distracting than fingerprints and smudges all over the glass. As needed, use glass cleaner and a microfiber rag to wipe down the door and remove dust, sticky finger marks, sea spray build-up, and grime. Depending on your climate or whether you have a lot of kids or pets, you may have to do this daily.

Wipe Down the Frame

Wash the door’s interior and exterior frame to prevent damage from weather on the outer seal. All you need to do is lightly dust them, then follow it up with warm, soapy water and rinse. Stay away from harsh chemicals, as the frame’s finish can get damaged. If you have a wooden frame, re-varnish the wood when it looks worn.

Clean the Track

From muddy shoes to crumbs to pet hair, there are many ways dirt can get into the track of your patio door. Any obstruction, even small particles, can hamper the proper operation of your door. This is why you should clean the tracks and rollers once a month. Use a vacuum cleaner, followed by a warm soapy water solution. If debris remains, use a butter knife or old toothbrush to clean out the grooves.

Lubricate the Tracks

After you have cleaned the tracks, it’s time to lubricate them. This will prevent sticking, which can make opening and closing the door a challenge.

Replace Worn Weatherstripping

Old and brittle weather strips can’t protect your home from the elements, such as ice, water or snow. Remove the old strips when they become worn, clean the surface of dirt and residue, and install new weatherstripping.

Replace Worn Rollers

Clean and lubricate the door rollers if your patio door has these. You will have to take them off to do this. Just be sure they are aligned properly when you put them back on.

Check Door Panel Alignment

Patio doors get a lot of daily abuse. If there’s a lot of slamming of doors or hard knocking, or your door was improperly installed in the first place, misalignment and uneven movement can result. Settling foundations and built-up debris can also cause rollers to become misaligned. In this case, adjust the roller screws or remove the door to reset it correctly.

Contact Amazing Exteriors for Replacement Windows and Doors

For more tips on patio door maintenance or to book your consultation for a new Marvin patio door, contact us at 512-428-8417. We would be happy to go over the selection with you so you can make the best choice for your home and budget.