Why Do My Sliding Glass Doors Not Move? Here's A Simple Fix

A sliding glass door is a great way to allow maximum sunlight into a space and optionally sealing it off from the outdoors. However, they do need maintenance, otherwise they will become a challenge to open and close. Sliding glass doors often become harder to open and close when the metal lip that runs alongside the tracks bends and gets in the way.

You can solve this problem and boost the life expectancy of your sliding glass doors with a pair of pliers and a few minutes. But to better understand what you'll be doing, it may be helpful to have a rudimentary knowledge of how a sliding glass door functions. These doors are composed of two panels — one that slides and another that stays in place. When the door is open, the panels overlap. The sliding panel rolls on internal wheels over the bottom track. There is also a top track to guide the door as it slides. The tracks are held by a casing, which is similar to the frame of a window. 

Your screen door's tracks can become damaged when people hit them with their shoes or the legs of chairs. These bent spots can prevent the door from sliding smoothly. To correct this issue, try opening and closing the door and identify the spots where it catches on the bent track. Then, use your pliers to gently bend those spots back into place. When they're back in position, you should be able to slide the door open and closed without issue. 

While you're at it, you might as well make sure those wheels stay in good working order. The most important step of this project is finding the right lubricant. You may be tempted to use classic WD-40. While this oil-based solution may work well for unscrewing a corroded bolt, it is not ideal for fine moving parts because it attracts dust and grime. You also shouldn't use a heavy solvent like bleach or acetone, because they might degrade your glass door's vinyl frame. For the wheels, your best bet is a silicone lubricant spray. This won't harm vinyl surfaces, but it will keep your wheels from corroding. These are particularly useful DIY projects for folks on a budget, because it can cost thousands of dollars to hire a professional to repair your sliding glass doors. 

If your sliding glass door continues to malfunction after these adjustments, it may be time for a replacement; so, here's what you need to know about buying new sliding glass doors.