Saturday, April 17, 2010
WANNA SELL YOUR HOME SOMEDAY?
Experts will tell you little things are important to prospective buyers… A neat interior, clean carpeting, a nice kitchen and a pleasant aroma of coffee or cookies. But, there are less obvious areas that are often overlooked… home idiosyncrasies to which you have become accustomed can subconsciously be a turn-off to someone new. You wouldn’t think something that costs only a few bucks to improve could put the kibosh on a sale. But, it can. A squeaking hinge, a toilet that “runs”, a slightly torn screen, an encrusted shower head or a sliding patio door that requires effort to open. That’s where we come in! Sliding patio doors don’t slide… they roll. There are heavy-duty wheels (rollers) in the bottom of the door. The ball bearings in these wheels don’t last over 20 years. So, every twenty years, just have the rollers in the sliding patio door replaced. All patio doors should move in either direction with a “toothpick”. If you need to exert more pressure than that… or your handle is loose from the strain… It ain’t gonna get better. Caught in time, a sliding patio door can be made to function better than new for less than 10% of the cost of replacement.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
THE ENVIRONMENT
At SLIDERS®, we take our responsibility to have a positive influence on the environment very seriously.
1. Our service vehicles are four-cylinder, regularly maintained and our appointments are scheduled to reduce travel time whenever possible.
2. When addressing sliding patio door concerns, weather-stripping and caulking are important areas of concentration to reduce air infiltration. Ignoring such conditions can increase heating and air conditioning
costs.
3. During the track and glass cleaning portion of our service call, only non-toxic, environmentally friendly products are used. All our aerosols are non-chlorinated with a C02 propellant. Our cleaning cloths are recycled and our paper towels are biodegradable.
4. We never use any petroleum based lubricants or caustic chemicals. And, we do not use glass cleaners that could adversely affect window tinting film.
5. When replacing sliding screen doors, the scrap metal is always recycled.
6. Depending on the location of their patio doors, our customers are encouraged to take advantage of the solar gain in colder months and consider window tinting or solar screens to reduce the sun’s rays during the summer. When purchasing window treatment for their patio doors, our customers are asked to take the insulating features of the products into consideration. There can be substantial heat loss even with patio doors that are sealed well, just because of the large area of glass.
1. Our service vehicles are four-cylinder, regularly maintained and our appointments are scheduled to reduce travel time whenever possible.
2. When addressing sliding patio door concerns, weather-stripping and caulking are important areas of concentration to reduce air infiltration. Ignoring such conditions can increase heating and air conditioning
3. During the track and glass cleaning portion of our service call, only non-toxic, environmentally friendly products are used. All our aerosols are non-chlorinated with a C02 propellant. Our cleaning cloths are recycled and our paper towels are biodegradable.
4. We never use any petroleum based lubricants or caustic chemicals. And, we do not use glass cleaners that could adversely affect window tinting film.5. When replacing sliding screen doors, the scrap metal is always recycled.
6. Depending on the location of their patio doors, our customers are encouraged to take advantage of the solar gain in colder months and consider window tinting or solar screens to reduce the sun’s rays during the summer. When purchasing window treatment for their patio doors, our customers are asked to take the insulating features of the products into consideration. There can be substantial heat loss even with patio doors that are sealed well, just because of the large area of glass.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
PATIO DOOR SECURITY
PATIO DOOR SECURITY
Thieves love patio doors!
Since most residential sliding patio doors lead to a patio, deck or back yard, they are a preferred point of entry for burglars. These patio doors are rarely visible to neighbors and street traffic as they are usually behind the residence. Also, they can be camouflaged by fences, trees, BBQ grills, furniture and bushes.
In times of economic stress, residential thefts often increase… and, making patio door security a top priority should be emphasized.
Although a sophisticated alarm system can provide optimum security, there are many other things that can be done to dramatically improve the security of your patio door for little or no money.
Any security measures that warn of a prowler or attempted entry… and/or, prevent the opening or removal of the patio door are strongly suggested. And, such measures don’t have to cost much, if anything.
1. A battery-operated or wireless motion-detector that will light-up and/or make an irritating loud noise can be placed outside at least two feet above the patio door.
2. An old broomstick, cut to the proper length, can be placed in the track to keep the door from being opened. But, if you don’t like the look of the broomstick or you are tired of bending over to pick it up, there are dozens of other items available that prevent unauthorized access. They are more attractive and many are virtually unseen.
3. A small “spacer” can be placed in the upper track to prevent the door from being lifted out.
4. Many doors have a latch in the door that hooks over a piece in the frame when the door is closed and latched. If this latch hooks “down”, it is possible for the door to be lifted to “un-hook” the latch. This type of latch mechanism can often be reversed to remedy the situation.
5. When your door is closed and latched… and you pull on the handle, the door should not move more than 1/8 inch. If it can move further, while still being latched, a burglar can insert an object between the door and the jamb, such as a credit card, to move the latch. Most door latch mechanisms have an adjustment screw for a tighter fit.
6. Many doors have been found to use a plastic exterior handle that can be easily broken to reveal access to the latch mechanism. A pair of nail clippers then gets them in. A stronger metal exterior handle will substantially reduce the possibility of this happening. Stronger handles are readily available.
7. If you have a sliding screen door on the inside and the operating door (the one that moves) is on the outside, preventing the door from being lifted out is crucial. This can be prevented with the spacer mentioned earlier or a special security device in the track or door frame.
8. Security devices that require a key to open the patio door from the inside are not recommended. In an emergency, such as a fire, exiting can be delayed or prevented with drastic consequences.
http://www.surveillanceforsecurity.com/patio-door-locks.html
Thieves love patio doors!
Since most residential sliding patio doors lead to a patio, deck or back yard, they are a preferred point of entry for burglars. These patio doors are rarely visible to neighbors and street traffic as they are usually behind the residence. Also, they can be camouflaged by fences, trees, BBQ grills, furniture and bushes.
In times of economic stress, residential thefts often increase… and, making patio door security a top priority should be emphasized.
Although a sophisticated alarm system can provide optimum security, there are many other things that can be done to dramatically improve the security of your patio door for little or no money.
Any security measures that warn of a prowler or attempted entry… and/or, prevent the opening or removal of the patio door are strongly suggested. And, such measures don’t have to cost much, if anything.
1. A battery-operated or wireless motion-detector that will light-up and/or make an irritating loud noise can be placed outside at least two feet above the patio door.
2. An old broomstick, cut to the proper length, can be placed in the track to keep the door from being opened. But, if you don’t like the look of the broomstick or you are tired of bending over to pick it up, there are dozens of other items available that prevent unauthorized access. They are more attractive and many are virtually unseen.
3. A small “spacer” can be placed in the upper track to prevent the door from being lifted out.
4. Many doors have a latch in the door that hooks over a piece in the frame when the door is closed and latched. If this latch hooks “down”, it is possible for the door to be lifted to “un-hook” the latch. This type of latch mechanism can often be reversed to remedy the situation.
5. When your door is closed and latched… and you pull on the handle, the door should not move more than 1/8 inch. If it can move further, while still being latched, a burglar can insert an object between the door and the jamb, such as a credit card, to move the latch. Most door latch mechanisms have an adjustment screw for a tighter fit.
6. Many doors have been found to use a plastic exterior handle that can be easily broken to reveal access to the latch mechanism. A pair of nail clippers then gets them in. A stronger metal exterior handle will substantially reduce the possibility of this happening. Stronger handles are readily available.
7. If you have a sliding screen door on the inside and the operating door (the one that moves) is on the outside, preventing the door from being lifted out is crucial. This can be prevented with the spacer mentioned earlier or a special security device in the track or door frame.
8. Security devices that require a key to open the patio door from the inside are not recommended. In an emergency, such as a fire, exiting can be delayed or prevented with drastic consequences.
http://www.surveillanceforsecurity.com/patio-door-locks.html
Thursday, December 31, 2009
PATIO DOOR SECRETS
Sliding doors don’t slide… they roll. And, the rolling part is a main factor in all patio door problems including drafts, misalignment, loose handles, scraping noises and dragging.
The secret is hidden in the base of your sliding patio door. In a slot or wide groove (out of sight) in the bottom horizontal frame of the operating door (the one that moves) are a pair of adjustable steel housings, axles, bearings and grooved zinc plated steel wheels called “rollers”. (Some can be nylon or stainless)
In the first twenty years of life, these roller assemblies deteriorate… the zinc plating wears and the metal rusts, the bearings wear and reduce (or stop) wheel rotation. The axles wear and can allow the door to shift and scrape the track walls… and the concave groove in each roller can flatten and create a misalignment of the door and gouging of the track rail.
As the above conditions gradually become more severe, the door becomes more difficult to move, the handles can break from the strain and drafts are common. It is not that the door is heavy or old… it’s the rollers!
When the rollers don’t roll, then the door “slides”… and, spreading grease or oil on the track will give you some relief for only about a day or two.
Bottom line, you just need to change the rollers.
There are over 300 different types of roller assemblies for the many patio doors that have been manufactured over the last 50 years. Some door rollers are extinct and new versions need to be skillfully retrofitted.
Regardless, changing the rollers is very cost-effective and is typically less than 10% of the cost of a new patio door system. This only needs to be done every 15-20 years.
Because of the various conditions caused by roller failure, just changing them may not completely solve all the issues. Therefore, someone with inexperience may find themselves in over their head.
The secret is hidden in the base of your sliding patio door. In a slot or wide groove (out of sight) in the bottom horizontal frame of the operating door (the one that moves) are a pair of adjustable steel housings, axles, bearings and grooved zinc plated steel wheels called “rollers”. (Some can be nylon or stainless)
In the first twenty years of life, these roller assemblies deteriorate… the zinc plating wears and the metal rusts, the bearings wear and reduce (or stop) wheel rotation. The axles wear and can allow the door to shift and scrape the track walls… and the concave groove in each roller can flatten and create a misalignment of the door and gouging of the track rail.
As the above conditions gradually become more severe, the door becomes more difficult to move, the handles can break from the strain and drafts are common. It is not that the door is heavy or old… it’s the rollers!
When the rollers don’t roll, then the door “slides”… and, spreading grease or oil on the track will give you some relief for only about a day or two.
Bottom line, you just need to change the rollers.
There are over 300 different types of roller assemblies for the many patio doors that have been manufactured over the last 50 years. Some door rollers are extinct and new versions need to be skillfully retrofitted.
Regardless, changing the rollers is very cost-effective and is typically less than 10% of the cost of a new patio door system. This only needs to be done every 15-20 years.
Because of the various conditions caused by roller failure, just changing them may not completely solve all the issues. Therefore, someone with inexperience may find themselves in over their head.
WHO IS SLIDERS?
SLIDERS, under the direction of Charlie Scott, an award-winning engineer, provides residential sliding door maintenance on Chicago's north shore.
This involves those pesky sliding patio, closet and shower doors that annually become more difficult to operate. Thinking they just need new doors, few homeowners know that sliding doors just need a little attention now and then. But, until Sliders®, there were no companies to provide the skilled workmanship and readily available parts to fill the void in the area.
Factory trained, insured and accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sliders® provides cost-effective repairs to the thousands of sliding patio, closet and shower doors on Chicago’s north shore.
Sliders has received prestigious awards from the BBB, Angie's List and Chamber of Commerce.
http://chicago.bbb.org/article/nine-chicago-area-businesses-to-receive-the-better-business-bureaus-2014-torch-award-for-marketplace-ethics-44648
This involves those pesky sliding patio, closet and shower doors that annually become more difficult to operate. Thinking they just need new doors, few homeowners know that sliding doors just need a little attention now and then. But, until Sliders®, there were no companies to provide the skilled workmanship and readily available parts to fill the void in the area.
Factory trained, insured and accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sliders® provides cost-effective repairs to the thousands of sliding patio, closet and shower doors on Chicago’s north shore.
Sliders has received prestigious awards from the BBB, Angie's List and Chamber of Commerce.
http://chicago.bbb.org/article/nine-chicago-area-businesses-to-receive-the-better-business-bureaus-2014-torch-award-for-marketplace-ethics-44648
Saturday, September 1, 2007
SLIDERS DON'T SLIDE, THEY ROLL!
Millions of homeowners struggle every day to move the sliding door accessing their patio, deck or pool. Their sliding doors have not been easy to open or close for many years. And the recommendations from friends to coat the track with grease, silicone or WD-40 has provided only temporary relief.
A lubricant would help if the doors really did slide, but they don't. Sliding patio doors, produced by hundreds of different manufacturers since the middle of the last century actually roll on wheels. These "rollers" are hidden in the bottom horizontal frame of the door.
The rollers (wheels) are typically made of zinc coated steel. (some can be stainless and some are made of a hard nylon) There is an area near each corner in the bottom (metal or wood) frame of the door for each roller assembly. Each assembly consists of a housing, at least one wheel, a bearing assembly, an axel pin and usually a height adjustment screw.
The dimensions of the housing, diameter of the wheel and mounting style can be unique to a specific brand of door. There are hundreds of different roller assemblies and wheel diameters can range from 3/4" to over 2". The number of wheels and their diameter is usually related to the size and weight of the door.
The lubricated bearings, which carry the load and allow the wheel to rotate smoothly, will wear over time. When the bearings gradually become worn, the wheels begin to drag... making the door harder to move... little by little.
As the bearings become worn, homeowners, who have enjoyed the use of their sliding patio door for at least a decade or more, hardly notice the gradual resistance and drag in the door's operation and have come to accept that this is the way the door moves... as it appears to have always moved this way.
Eventually, the bearings become so worn the rollers become "frozen" and don't roll at all. (This is the point where the homeowner begins to apply the grease.)
In reality, the correct solution is to just have the roller assemblies replaced. It can take a professional less than an hour (under ideal circumstances) and, when the new roller bearings are properly lubricated, the door can be moved in either direction with one finger.
It is recommended that roller assemblies be replaced every twenty to twenty-five years. Unfortunately, finding a qualified professional who has access to the specific replacement rollers for your door can be frustrating. Local home centers carry just a few styles and many obsolete assemblies may require some creative retrofitting.
If your sliding patio door cannot be moved with one finger in either direction... the movement is noisy or the track displays gouges... you most likely need your rollers replaced.
Other factors can affect your door's operation and will be discussed later.
There is seldom a cost-effective reason to replace an entire sliding door system when simple maintenance can address all issues.
A lubricant would help if the doors really did slide, but they don't. Sliding patio doors, produced by hundreds of different manufacturers since the middle of the last century actually roll on wheels. These "rollers" are hidden in the bottom horizontal frame of the door.
The rollers (wheels) are typically made of zinc coated steel. (some can be stainless and some are made of a hard nylon) There is an area near each corner in the bottom (metal or wood) frame of the door for each roller assembly. Each assembly consists of a housing, at least one wheel, a bearing assembly, an axel pin and usually a height adjustment screw.
The dimensions of the housing, diameter of the wheel and mounting style can be unique to a specific brand of door. There are hundreds of different roller assemblies and wheel diameters can range from 3/4" to over 2". The number of wheels and their diameter is usually related to the size and weight of the door.
The lubricated bearings, which carry the load and allow the wheel to rotate smoothly, will wear over time. When the bearings gradually become worn, the wheels begin to drag... making the door harder to move... little by little.
As the bearings become worn, homeowners, who have enjoyed the use of their sliding patio door for at least a decade or more, hardly notice the gradual resistance and drag in the door's operation and have come to accept that this is the way the door moves... as it appears to have always moved this way.
Eventually, the bearings become so worn the rollers become "frozen" and don't roll at all. (This is the point where the homeowner begins to apply the grease.)
In reality, the correct solution is to just have the roller assemblies replaced. It can take a professional less than an hour (under ideal circumstances) and, when the new roller bearings are properly lubricated, the door can be moved in either direction with one finger.
It is recommended that roller assemblies be replaced every twenty to twenty-five years. Unfortunately, finding a qualified professional who has access to the specific replacement rollers for your door can be frustrating. Local home centers carry just a few styles and many obsolete assemblies may require some creative retrofitting.
If your sliding patio door cannot be moved with one finger in either direction... the movement is noisy or the track displays gouges... you most likely need your rollers replaced.
Other factors can affect your door's operation and will be discussed later.
There is seldom a cost-effective reason to replace an entire sliding door system when simple maintenance can address all issues.
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