How to Prevent Water Intrusion on Sliding Glass Doors
Introduction
Water intrusion on sliding glass doors is a negative effect on your home, which occurs when water comes in contact with a certain part of your door that it should not contact. This can affect the structural integrity of the part or all of your doors and potentially cost you a lot of money – if not more! When water comes into contact with any wood product, especially flooring, trim, or even walls inside your home, you will likely have some issues over time. Your doors are no different because they will also get damaged from the outside once water contacts them. Today I will be discussing how to prevent water intrusion on sliding glass doors.
Why Does This Happen?
First, we need to understand what causes it. Water can penetrate the seal of the sliding door and pool inside because the door has been left open after use. The window glass has an excellent ability to hold water in, and if there is no airflow through a closed sliding glass door, condensation collects on the interior of the glass.
If you have a door that you can slide open, and you leave it open for a while, the moisture from outside can come in and make your house wet. This happens because the door doesn’t have a good seal, so the moisture can seep in. Some people think that their dogs are opening the door and letting the moisture in, but it can also happen if you don’t have a dog.
Step-wise Guide on How to Prevent Water Intrusion on Sliding Glass Doors
Step 1: Check The Tracks
When you find water droplets on your sliding glass doors, check the tracks where they slide along to ensure that they are not cracked and in good condition. Failing to do so can result in serious problems with water intrusion, which could affect both your health as well as property damage of a high magnitude. If your main water line is frozen, don’t panic. The first thing to do is to turn off the water. Do not try to fix the problem unless the water has stopped flowing.
If there is a crack or become loose, get it replaced as soon as possible, without delay or procrastination. This will only cost you precious time and money in the long run and may harm your furniture your home in general. In conclusion, you need to have regular maintenance and repairs of your windows on a regular basis. If you find cracks or you see that the glass has become loose, get it replaced as soon as possible.
Step 2: Remove Water From Sliding Glass Doors
Usually, water enters through small holes created by cracks or other reasons that are difficult to ascertain. While some water droplets can be removed by using a cloth or a paper towel, it is always better to remove excess water from sliding glass doors at the earliest so that the problem does not escalate uncontrollably and become more severe in the future. Once you have removed all the water, you should look for the source of the problem. There are many ways to find out the source of the leak. The best way is to check where the door is leaking from. You can also ask a professional to check your sliding glass doors.
Step 3: Check For Leaks
Look for any hint of leakages in your home and check under sinks, toilets, drains, etc., and also check if there is any dampness on walls or if they have started peeling off because this may indicate possible leaks which are very dangerous as they directly affect the health of people staying inside the house. If you find such leaks, make sure that you get them repaired immediately, strictly following all safety measures to protect yourself and your family from any possible danger.
Step 4: Check The Weather
To check for leakages or moisture in your home, first, you must inspect and analyze the weather conditions outside. If there has been rainfall or if it has rained heavily in the night, then you can expect to see water droplets on sliding glass doors. Usually, such leaks are easily visible when sunlight passes through them; therefore, you have to be very attentive and observant at times like these so that you can catch a likely problem before it becomes worse by putting forth all requisite efforts to get it solved at once.
For example, while some people believe that rainwater does not pose any threat as it is safe for consumption, this is not true because rainwater may contain pollutants that might not be safe for drinking and may also result in sliding glass doors the quality of water. Another thing that you should know is that there are some people who think that it is okay to use the same amount of water on a daily basis regardless of whether the weather is hot or cold. This is a very bad idea as using too much water will only make the problem worse.
Step 5: Check All Parts
Before you begin repairing or replacing any parts, ensure that your work area is well-lit to make sure that you can see all parts clearly, including energy-efficient window covering options such as solar screens, shades, and blinds.
Checking each part one at a time will help you fix the problem quickly without procrastination since this prevents delays in completing the task and allows you to finish it in the maximum possible time. For example, while checking for leaks on sliding glass doors, remember to look for cracks due to an imbalance between two parts.
How to Maintain Your Sliding Glass Door?
A Sliding glass door should always be kept closed, both at home and on the job site. A properly installed and maintained system is a major factor in ensuring effectiveness against water intrusion within your structure.
The overall maintenance of your door includes periodic inspections and routine cleaning as well as any necessary repairs to ensure proper operation.
Doors require occasional, thorough cleanings with an alkaline cleaner, removing dirt, grime, and another build-up from the tracks and rollers. Do not use abrasive cleaners that may scratch or discolor the sliding surface of the glass or frames. On smooth framed doors, debris can collect around the locking mechanism or between jambs, leading to problems with opening or closing the door. Periodic inspection and cleaning with a fiberglass brush, vacuum, or soft cloth are recommended.
Your door and frame should be kept in good repair. Check the operation of your door often to ensure smooth and trouble-free operation. You may want to have your door checked by an experienced person for proper alignment, balance, and seal before any repairs being made. Uneven sliding doors are annoying enough as it is, but problems will only increase over time if you don’t get them fixed right away.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope that this article has provided you all the necessary information on how to prevent water intrusion on sliding glass doors. Ensure proper safety while you are performing these steps. Thank you and have a nice day!
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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.
