Is your patio screen door hard to open? Try this quick fix before you go out and buy a new one.

Fix sliding screen doors by turning the roller adjustment screws and cleaning the track. There you are, balancing a tray full of burgers fresh from the grill, struggling to open the sticking patio screen door. Badly aligned rollers cause the screen door to bind and stick when it's opened or closed. Eventually this stresses the corner joints of the door, and if they open or loosen up, the door is shot. But you can adjust the door to run smoothly in minutes with just a screwdriver.

You will find two adjustment screws at the bottom of the door, one at each end, that lift and lower separate rollers. (Inspect the rollers for damage. If you find that they are damaged we have a variety of parts for your convenience at East County Glass (925) 432-1433)
First lower the door to the track (Photo 1), then raises it evenly (Photo 2).

2. Raise one roller until it lifts the door off the track approximately 1/4 in. Slowly raise the second roller on the other end until the gap between the bottom of the door and the track is even. Make sure there is a gap between the top of the screen frame and the upper track as well.

Still runs rough? Clean the track. Chances are, leaves, grit or other debris is clogging it. If that doesn't help feel free to give us a call or stop by. We have all the material and the people to custom build a durable, easy to use one for you no matter the size or color at really great prices. What more could you ask for?

Just got new windows installed? Learn how to clean and maintain your new windows to extend their life span

Cleaning
Periodic cleaning of your new vinyl replacement windows is recommended to ensure proper operation. Dirt can limit the natural lubricating ability of vinyl and cause difficulty in operation. Long term accumulation of dirt, dust and debris can also limit the useful life of your windows. The vinyl surfaces of your replacement windows can be cleaned with a mild soap/detergent and water solution. Do not use strong/harsh detergents as they are detrimental to the vinyl's finish. By taking a vacuum hose or hand vac, you can pick up insects, pieces of debris and dirt from the corners and crevices prior to wiping down or cleaning with a solution. Occasional cleaning will ensure many years of beauty and easy operation.

Wash using mild detergent (if necessary) and a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled soft bristle brush. Home recipes work just as well as commercial products for washing windows, and you'll save money. Do not wash the windows or doors with a high-pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the window or door.

Here are some useful techniques for cleaning windows.
Wash one side of a window with horizontal strokes and the other side with vertical strokes so you can pinpoint which side of the window has a streak.

To find streaks, wash one side with horizontal
strokes and the other with vertical strokes.

Use a squeegee on a long handle or a sponge/squeegee combination to prevent streaks on large windows.

Eliminate tiny scratches on glass by polishing the affected areas with toothpaste.

Washing windows should be done on a cloudy day, because direct sunlight dries cleaning solutions before you can polish the glass properly.

Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to clean corners. To remove the build-up, use the swab dipped in vinegar. Make sure to thoroughly rinse with water afterwards.

A cotton swab or soft toothbrush works for cleaning corners.
To give an extra shine to window glass, polish it with well-washed cotton T-shirts or old cloth diapers. Or rub a clean blackboard eraser over a freshly washed and dried window to give it a diamond-bright shine.

Polish windows to a sparkling shine with crumpled newspaper. The paper also leaves a film that's resistant to dirt.

Wash windows from the top down to prevent drips.