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DEAR MAINTENANCE MEN
Dear Maintenance Men:
Our rental has a non-standard size sliding glass door that we’d like to replace. We’d like to get a whole new door and track. How easy is that? We have siding on the house. What should we expect in the way of wall damage or ability to get a larger standard door frame into the space? I’m handy; is this a DIY job or should I have a professional complete the installation?
- David
Dear David:
Replacing a sliding glass door and frame as a DIY job is not for the faint of heart! It is not really that difficult as it is unwieldy and the doors are large and heavy. You state the door is a non-standard size; this might be a good time to standardize your glass door. Start by removing the door, bottom track and frame. This will expose the rough opening in your door way. Measure the rough opening for a standard sliding door of your choice. It is sometimes easier to enlarge the rough opening
to accommodate the new door. The reason for a larger opening is because you will not need to find or install new outside siding or stucco nor patch the inside drywall. “Rough opening” refers to the dimensions inside the trimmer studs and between the floor and the bottom header. This opening will be slightly larger than the patio doorframe. The extra space allows a little fudge room for squaring the frame with shims. If you decide to have a contractor install the new sliding door, have the installer explain in detail what the job will entail, what the finish will look like and how long the job will take. Make sure they are set up for dust control as a job like this can cause a considerable amount of dust during the construction if the opening is enlarged.
Dear Maintenance Men:
How can I add more storage to building’s standard type bathrooms? The residents complain that they need to store their toilet paper in the hallway! Please list a few suggestions on what to do?
- Robert
By Jerry L'Ecuyer & Frank Alvarez
Frank Alvarez is licensed contractor and the Operations Director and co-owner of Buffalo Maintenance, Inc. He has been involved with apartment maintenance & construction for over 20 years. He is also a lecturer & educational instructor and Co-Chair of the Education Committee of the Apartment Association of Orange County as well as being Chairman of the Product Service Counsel. Frank can be reached at (714) 956-8371 Frankie@ BuffaloMaintenance.com For more info please go to: www.BuffaloMaintenance.com
Jerry L’Ecuyer is a licensed contractor & real estate broker. He is currently on the Board of Directors and Past President and past Chairman of the Education Committee of the Apartment Association of Orange County. Jerry has been involved with apartments as a professional since 1988.
CS-38 DECEMBER 2021 - APARTMENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE