Stuck Sliders

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Boca

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What is the best method for getting a sliding door to budge? We have a slider that is frozen in position. When the house was inspected, the inspector refused to tax anything he couldn't get to move. He said if he broke something he would have to pay for it. We are purchasing the property anyway but haven't a clue on how to get the door to open. We don't see any obvious ways in which this door has been fastened shut. It is an interior door leading to a Florida room. The Florida room is screened but not secured in any meaningful way so obviously the previous owner needed to secure this door. We can't ask her how she closed it permanently (or so it appears) because she passed away.
 
It is a glass sliding door in a metal frame. It is between a bedroom and the Florida room and is really the window in this bedroom which has no other window in it.
 
It is a glass sliding door in a metal frame. It is between a bedroom and the Florida room and is really the window in this bedroom which has no other window in it.

Is the panel of the two, that is supposed to move, on the inside or outside?
 
It appears that the one that moves is on the inside.
 
It appears that the one that moves is on the inside.

Thanks.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Without photos there are numerous questions and false assumptions you'll need to endure in this process.

So, here goes.

At the door latch, and there a a couple of different styles, move the lever in one direction or the other and push against the latch as if you are attempting to close the door to see if the latch may be stuck or adjusted to not open.There may be an audible response.

Some styles adjust with the door open and some with the door closed.

So to clarify, there a two glass panels, 1 is fixed and does not move freely, the other is the slider and hopefully can be freed.

If the door already appears to be raised above the bottom track and tight against the top track the rollers on the bottom are adjusted up.

Just above the lower track, in the frame of the slider may be a phillips head screw, and a hole. Leave the screw alone and insert a #2 phillips screwdriver into the hole and turn the screw counter clockwise a full turn or so, and the door should lower. If not you may have to pry the door down slightly from the top.

If there is space between both the top and bottom track, and you have a 12 to 18" heavy screwdriver, insert it at the base of the slider, in the track, where the slider and the fixed panel intersect, about a half in or so and "gently" attempt to lift the door, gradually increasing the lift.
 
Snoonyb has it right; but a couple of quick thoughts before you start: Just in case the inspector missed something, do a careful inspection to be sure the lower track has no obstructions (scrap wood, wedge under door etc.) and that the door seems centered on the track. Also check for an additional lock on the middle of the door which may bolt up at the top, or down at the base of the door. It's unlikely that both you and the inspector missed that, but it's good to double-check before getting physical.
 
You should try opening the other door also. It's common down here in Florida, especially in the older houses, that sliders will open from both sides rather than having one fixed panel and one movable panel.
 
Sorry I can't post proper photos right now. I am not in Florida at this moment and we are in contract so I will not be able to take any photos until after the closing which hopefully will be soon. I shall try all suggestions on how to budge this door, at that time. Thank you, all!
 
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disassemble the latch by removing the two screws, you might find that the hook that engages the latch is jammed closed, or it might just need cleaning and lube.After doing this , if it's still stuck , do as others have suggested and adjust the rollers. Those doors are pretty simple and that 's why they are the favorites of burglars
After you get it fixed, do yourself a favor and remove the doors , check the rollers for flat spots and replace the rollers if needed also clean and lube the roller axles.
 
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