What Corrosion Looks Like
- White, chalky, or bubbled spots on an aluminum track or frame
- Orange or brown rust on roller housings, screws, and steel wheels
- Pitting or flaking on the track rail the wheels ride on
- A gritty, crunchy feel when the door slides
- Rust stains running down from the bottom of the door
Why It Happens Here
On the Space Coast, in Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island, and Melbourne, salt carried on the breeze settles on everything. It pulls moisture out of the air and holds it against metal. Inland, pool water splashed onto a lanai door and fertilizer-laden irrigation spray do something similar. Add Central Florida humidity and you have the perfect setup for aluminum oxidation and rusting steel parts. Original rollers on many builder-grade doors use plain steel bearings and housings, which are usually the first thing to go.
How We Repair It
- Rollers: we replace rusted rollers with stainless steel assemblies, which hold up far better in coastal and pool environments.
- Track: we remove corrosion and buildup, then repair the rail. Where the original rail is too pitted, we install a stainless steel or aluminum track cap so the new rollers have a smooth surface.
- Bottom rail and hardware: we check the panel's bottom rail and replace corroded screws, keepers, and latch parts.
- Drainage: clogged weep holes keep salty water sitting in the track, so we clear them.
Keeping Corrosion Away
Rinse the track and the bottom of the door with fresh water every few weeks if you live near the beach, then wipe it dry. Vacuum out sand regularly. Keep sprinkler heads aimed away from the door. And schedule a professional service once or twice a year so small spots get treated before they turn into failed rollers. Our coastal maintenance guide goes into more detail.
We service the Space Coast and all of Central Florida, including Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, and Orlando.