How to Keep Water Out of Sliding Glass Door Track
A study shows that over 80% of people have sliding glass doors at home. They are built to be convenient and provide fresh air throughout your house. To make them durable and easy to use, a track is inserted from top to bottom on the edge of each door panel. The panels are then pushed into place along this track when they are shut.
The middle of this track has installed another one called rolling runner with wheels attached on both ends. This helps move the panels into their correct position, which keeps them stable as you slide them in or out. However, many people don’t know how to keep water out of sliding glass door track? So today, I am going to elaborate on this aspect.
Summary: If you have a sliding glass door and you want to keep water out of the track, there are a few things that you can do. First, make sure that the track is well-greased. Then, put a piece of cardboard or paper between the track and the door. This will help to prevent water from leaking through the track and into the door. Finally, use a rubber band to hold the paper in place.
Step-wise Guide on How to Keep Water Out of Sliding Glass Door Track
Step 1: Examine the Track With a Flashlight
Take out a flashlight and examine the door track for leaks. Check-in close-up to look for tiny holes, cracks, or gaps around where the glass slides along on its tracks. If you can’t find any cracks, then you might want to consider purchasing some caulk or silicone sealant from your local hardware store and filling up any gap that you find.
At this point, you need to check if there are any visible spots where water can leak in. If there are, you can fill them up with sealant. But if there are a lot of tiny holes, you need to do more repairs before you can use sealant.
Step 2: Repair cracks and holes around the tracks
If you find no visible leaks (holes) on your door frame, then proceed to step two, which is to repair any small cracks or damage to the tracks by using a repair kit that you can purchase easily at your local hardware store. Fixing up these slight damages will ensure that water does not trickle down into the larger track area and eventually leak out from under your sliding glass door. Other things that might need fixing include securing loose screws or nails around the sliding glass door’s track area to avoid them falling off now and again, causing more problems with leaking water inside your home when it rains hard outside.
Step 3: Use caulk or sealant to fix the leaks
If you couldn’t find any small pinhole leaks or cracks on your sliding glass door tracks, then proceed directly to step three, which is the easiest. Purchase some caulk or sealant and apply it around all four sides of your sliding glass doors’ frame where it slides along its respective track area. Ensure that when applying the black silicone-like substance inside those areas (where the sliding door meets with its track) that you cover up every inch of space to ensure a completely water-tight seal. Let dry for 24 hours before using again.
Be on the lookout for any leakage problems and regularly check if necessary by looking behind your sliding glass doors. For example, it could be raining outside but not on the other side of your sliding glass doors.
Leaks around door tracks are often caused by broken chunks of caulk that have dried out or hardened over time and split open. If left alone, this can eventually lead to water damage in your home. Be sure to replace any old, cracked, or damaged caulk to keep unwanted water away from your flooring and furniture.
Is Sealant Efficient for Keeping Water Out of Sliding Glass Door Track?
It’s not safe to assume that sealant can do everything. In fact, sealants are specifically designed for keeping water out of the places where it’s caused a problem in the past. But they don’t magically solve all sliding glass door track problems.
Bathroom doors are one place where you’ll see these waterproof adhesive products applied frequently. Sealing off difficult-to-seal gaps is their specialty, and they can be effective under some circumstances.
Most leaks around door tracks are caused by old, cracked, or damaged caulk that has dried out or hardened over time and split open. If left alone, this will eventually lead to water damage in your home. Make sure you replace all pieces of old, cracked, or damaged caulk to keep away unwanted water from ruining your flooring and furniture inside your home.
Under-track seals only work on smooth, relatively flat surfaces, and they’re installed using special applicator tools that help ensure a tight fit in all directions. In theory, they should be good for keeping water out as long as they stay in place!
Precautions While Keeping Water Out of Sliding Glass Door Track:
- Never use abrasive material, such as strong cleaners and detergents for cleaning the tracks of sliding glass doors. Abrasive materials will scratch the rubber seals, and water can enter into track easily.
- Use a soft cloth or paper towel to clean the tracks as it will absorb any dirty water and prevent water from entering into the door’s track.
Effective Tips on How to Keep Water Out of Sliding Glass Door Track
Maintain Proper Air Pressure in Your Home:
Check your windows regularly to ensure the air pressure levels in your house are where they should be. If there is less pressure in your home, it can create low-pressure areas where moisture can collect and cause damage to your window frames. Seasonal changes can also affect windows – for example, air pressure levels usually increase during the fall and winter due to the cooler temperatures causing more moisture to evaporate from inside your home.
Clean and Seal Tracks in Sliding Glass Doors
You should clean your sliding glass door tracks regularly, especially if the sliding material or its frames are made up of metal or vinyl. First, use a dry cloth to wipe down any dirt that has accumulated on them. If you have a hose bib outside your house, spray water to clear any particles from the tracks. Now use some silicone-based lubricant for sealing the tracks with cleaner sides of a sponge applicator. Never put too much silicone into the track as it will create an excess amount of lube within a track, thus causing different types of problems for you.
Inspect and Maintain your Sliding Doors:
To keep water out of sliding glass doors, you need to regularly inspect the door’s tracks. If there is any damage or rusting on the track, consult a professional carpenter regarding this matter.
Check Your Weather Stripping:
The gap between the bottom of your door and floor could be a possible entry point for water into your home. Ensure that it is not wider than 1/8th-inch; otherwise, replace older ones with thicker versions if needed or use caulk application as required by pros.
Clean Cracks Around Window Frames:
Any gaps around window frames must be sealed using silicone sealant regularly to keep water out of sliding glass doors.
Trim Trees and Shrubs around Sliding Glass Doors:
You should cut down trees that are close to your windows. They can create windy conditions that can blow leaves or sticks into your home through the window openings, resulting in increased moisture and reduced air pressure.
Install Weather Stripping on Sliding Glass Doors:
Newer doors generally come with weather stripping installed on their tracks for preventing water from entering into a home’s interior spaces. If you have an older door, it is advisable to purchase weather stripping at the local hardware store and install it yourself instead of hiring someone else to do this task at a higher cost.
Do Sliding Glass Doors Have Drain Holes?
Most sliding glass doors do not have drain holes. Therefore, any water that gets into the track will likely stay there until it evaporates or is cleaned up. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help keep water out of the track. First, install weatherstripping along the bottom of the door. This will help keep out rain and snow, which can often lead to water getting into the track.
Second, make sure the door is properly sealed when it is closed. If there is any space between the door and the frame, water can easily get in. Third, keep the track clean and free of debris. If anything is blocking the drainage holes, water will be more likely to stay in the track. Finally, install a door sweep at the bottom of the door. This will help to keep out any water that may still manage to get in.
Where Are the Drain Holes on a Sliding Glass Door?
There are three holes in the bottom of a sliding glass door. They are in the corners near the door handle. Some doors have a small lip on the edge of the door that covers the holes when the door is closed. If your door does not have this lip, you can buy a door sweep to cover the holes.
How to Prevent Water Ingress on Sliding Door?
There are a few ways to prevent water ingress on a sliding glass door. One way is to install a door sweep. A door sweep is a piece of rubber or vinyl attached to the bottom of the door, and it helps keep water out. Another way to keep water out is to install a threshold seal.
A threshold seal helps keep water out and can be made of rubber or vinyl. A door bottom is another way to keep water out, and it is attached to the bottom of the door. If you have a sliding glass door that tends to let water in, you should install one of these three things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my sliding glass door track fill with water?
There could be a few reasons why your sliding glass door track fills with water. One possibility is that the seal between the track and the door has failed.
To fix this, you will need to replace the track and seal. You can purchase these parts from a hardware store or home improvement store.
There are a few things that could be causing your train tracks to be wet. One possibility is that there is something blocking the water from draining properly. This could be leaves, debris, or snow accumulation on the tracks. To fix this, you will need to clear the tracks of any obstructions and then reseal them using a sealant.
Do sliding glass doors have drain holes?
Sliding glass doors do not typically have drain holes. However, the drain holes may be covered if the door is designed with a water repellent coating.
Conclusion
If you have a sliding glass door, it is important to keep the track clean and clear of debris so that the door can slide smoothly. You can use a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment or a broom to remove any dirt or leaves from the track.
If there is water in the track, you can pour a bucket of hot water down the track to help dissolve the ice and snow. Be sure to dry off the track when you are done so that no water will freeze in there overnight. We hope this blog post on how to keep water out of sliding glass door track has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or want to know more, then feel free to comment below!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
