Sliding glass doors are a great choice for easy access in and out of your home to your patio. Over time, they may need some extra care and attention, especially if you do not regularly maintain them. Rust is one of the biggest culprits for causing sliding doors to not work properly. Waiting until there’s a real problem may put you in a situation where you need new doors instead of just cleaning or repairing them. When it comes to sliding doors, rust does not have to be an issue.
Master Seal doors meet or exceed industry standards for wind-loaded resistance, air and water infiltration, ease of operation, forced entry, and more. We want to ensure we offer a product that provides increased comfort, lower heating and air-conditioning costs, easier cleaning, and low maintenance. Contact us today at 855.608.1580 or online for more information about our Baltimore sliding door services.
What Is Rust?
Rust is a type of corrosion that occurs when iron or its alloys, such as steel, are exposed to air and moisture. Its reddish-brown color and flaky texture are easily recognized. Rusting is an electrochemical process where electrons from the metal atoms are transferred to the oxygen molecules in the air and form rust.
If you have rust on your sliding patio doors, it is important to address it as soon as possible. Not only does rust look unsightly and can ruin the appearance of your doors, but it can also weaken the structural integrity of the metal and lead to potential safety hazards.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent rust from forming on your sliding patio doors. If your sliding patio doors are already affected by rust, there are also methods to remove it. Remember to regularly inspect and maintain your doors, as prevention is always better than cure when it comes to rust.
How Does Rust Get in Sliding Glass Doors?
Rust is a serious problem for any type of door, but it’s especially problematic for sliding glass doors. They’re constantly facing the elements, making them more likely to develop rust over time. There are a few different ways that rust can get into your sliding glass doors:
- Poorly sealed doors – Without a proper seal on your sliding patio doors, water can seep in and cause the metal to rust.
- Damaged door tracks – Over time, the tracks that your doors slide on can degrade, or you may damage them. This damage can create a gap that allows water and moisture to get in, which leads to rust.
- Lack of maintenance – If you don’t regularly clean and lubricate your door tracks, they can become dry, which causes additional damage. This damage can lead to rust.
Rust should be removed to avoid damage to your doors over time.
3 Ways to Remove Rust from Sliding Glass Doors
Removing rust from sliding glass doors can help you prolong the life of your doors and prevent some of the harsh noises rusty doors make.
1. Prevent Rust from Forming with Regular Maintenance
Like anything, it’s always better to put the time into cleaning and maintaining your sliding doors to extend their life. This will prevent rust from forming in the first place and allow you to avoid any costly repairs or, worse, total replacement. To extend the life of your professionally installed sliding doors, follow these simple maintenance suggestions:
- Regularly clean the sliding door tracks
- Ensure you have good weather-stripping to prevent moisture from seeping in
- Use a high-grade degreaser
- Lubricate locks
You will not have to worry about rust, dirt, or grime if you maintain a regular maintenance schedule. Doing so will increase the life of your doors and save you money.
2. Deep Clean at the First Sign of Rust
While you may change up the tools you use or the cleaning solutions you prefer, there are some basics to cleaning out sliding door tracks and eliminating rust build-up. One of the best ways to get a deep clean is to remove the door from the track, if possible. If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional to help you do it right. Grab the door by the sides, lift it up, and pull it towards you. A screwdriver helps remove it from the track.
If you can’t take the door off the tracks, spray the tracks well with a store-bought lubricant spray that displaces water and prevents future rust build-up. Slide the door back and forth a few times to ensure the spray gets to all parts of the track. Get into the track as best you can with a small bristle tool and cleaning solution. Wipe away the excess solution and build-up, and then remove any excess dirt with a small vacuum. Give everything a final clean, and you should be good to go.
The cleaning process can happen in just a few easy steps:
- Remove the door if possible
- Thoroughly clean the track of any debris
- Scrub any rust with steel wool
- Deep clean the track again with a toothbrush
- Use a degreaser if necessary
- After wiping clean all the rust, grime, and debris, lubricate the tracks
- Add the doors back in if you removed them, and give them a few test slides to ensure they are working smoothly
Including regular light cleaning of sliding doors with household chores can also be beneficial.
3. Have Your Doors Professionally Installed to Avoid Problems
Having a quality sliding door installed professionally will eliminate the need for dealing with rust build-up over time. It is quite popular for people to undertake do-it-yourself projects for home improvement. However, you want a professional when it comes to sliding glass doors. The doors are a barrier to the outside elements, and if someone installs them incorrectly, they will allow moisture, water, wind, or dust to seep around the frame and seal. This leads to a build-up of rust, mold, grime, or a combination of the three. If the shoddy installation also involved the poor application of grease in the tracks so the doors could slide easily, problems can worsen.
Naturally, preventative maintenance is always recommended, but the best cleaning and maintenance cannot make up for poor installation and the effects of wind, rain, sun, and snow. Master Seal is the best option for all your sliding door needs in the Baltimore area, including Prince George’s County, Harford County, Baltimore County, Howard County, and Montgomery County.
Contact Master Seal for Sliding Door Installation in Maryland
At Master Seal, we feature sliding glass patio doors with triple weatherstripping and high-quality insulation. Improve the interior comfort of your home with energy-efficient doors that keep the warm or cool air in and provide a sound barrier to outside noise. Our reinforced galvanized steel panels add to the stability and rigidity of Master Seal sliding glass doors. The exclusive patented sliding system guarantees smooth, easy, and quiet operation. We are committed to providing our clients with a quality, professionally installed product at a fair price.
Master Seal offers sliding doors, windows, security gates, and more. Give us a call at 855.608.1580 or contact us online today to see how we can help you with your home improvement needs.
