To keep a screen door working, set aside time to clean the track at least once every 6 months.
Most home improvement centers sell wire brushes. If you’re unable to find one, try using an old toothbrush instead.
You may need to brush and vacuum out the door frame a few times before the screen door works the way you want it to. Test it on occasion to ensure it works properly.
Debris in the tracks is often a sign that the wheels need to be cleaned as well.
If the wheels look like they are in bad shape, consider taking the door down to give them a thorough cleaning. If they look damaged, you may need to replace them.
Once the door is loose, it will be unsteady in its tracks but won’t fall. Touch it to see if it feels steady in the tracks or loose and ready to be removed. Note that the wheels are difficult to reach without removing the door from its tracks. You may be able to pull up the tracks to reach the wheels with a small brush or at least a little bit of penetrating oil.
Most screen doors aren’t too difficult to remove, but take it slowly. Be careful not to bend the door at all. If you’re planning on reusing the door, any damage to the frame could prevent it from working properly.
Be gentle with the door, especially around the corners. Bending them could cause more problems. Bent corners have to be straightened out in order for the door to move along its tracks.
If you don’t have a wire brush, you could try using an old toothbrush moistened in a little bit of water. However, it isn’t as effective as using a wire brush. Make sure the track is clean as well, or else the wheels will get dirty again as soon as you put the door back in place! Scrape out and vacuum up as much of it as you can.
Silicone sprays are an example of an alternative lubricant you could use. Try using sprays meant for garage door rollers. They can be more effective at keeping debris off the wheels.
You may need to use the tension springs a few times to get the door right where you want it. Turn them clockwise to raise the door and counterclockwise to lower it. If the door still doesn’t work well, it most likely needs to be repaired. Straightening the frame or replacing the wheels could help you adjust it.
Always check to see if the track is clear first. A dirty track could prevent the door from moving smoothly. Dirty or rusty wheels could also be a problem, so lift the edges of the track to check them as well. The strike plate is the metal faceplate meant to connect to the door’s latch. It will be ahead of the front edge of the door and inside the frame.
The screws are pretty easy to locate. They are always accessible outside of the frame.
Slide the door along the track a few times when you’re done adjusting it. You may need to adjust it a few times to get it positioned in the perfect spot.
Handle the door carefully to avoid bending it as you remove it from the frame.
Screen doors are fairly flexible, so they don’t take a ton of force to bend. It’s best to do it slowly with your hands so you don’t end up damaging the door further.
Save the broken wheels to take with you to a hardware store. Use them to get similar replacement wheels. If you aren’t able to find what you need, search online or contact the screen door manufacturer. Keep in mind that sometimes adjusting the screws to the right tension can help the wheels stay on the track. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s worth trying before removing the door.
Make sure the screw holes align. If the screw won’t go all the way in, it is probably because the wheel isn’t positioned in the right spot.
Keep adjusting the tension screws until the door’s latch aligns with the strike on the frame. Turn them clockwise to raise the door and counterclockwise to lower it.
