How to Repair French Doors
French doors can be an elegant method of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. They can develop problems in time, and require immediate attention to ensure safety and functionality.
Misalignment, sagging and warping of door frame and sash are common problems. Fortunately, the majority of these issues can be easily fixed with some time and effort.
Locks that aren't aligned
Certain doors may be slack or awry due to humidity, wood swelling or house settling. This can make the strike bolt or lock plate sit askew, requiring more force to open and close the door. This can also put extra stress on the locks, which can eventually lead to broken locks or damaged inner components. This is fortunately an issue that is quite common and is often solved by simple DIY methods.
In some instances it is possible that a small amount of lubricant might be all you need to make the door easier to open and close. You can apply graphite lubricant, but be careful to select one that is safe for your door. Make sure to wipe the door with a damp cloth to remove any debris from the door prior to you apply the lubricant.
Another simple way to fix a door hanging off the wall is by loosing the hinges and then moving them until they are level with the frame of the door. However, you must be cautious not to over tighten the screws as this can damage the hinges or door.
If your exterior French door isn't closing properly it could be a sign there is a blockage in the lock mechanism. This is usually caused by factory screws that are short that come undone as time passes. To fix this issue, replace the screws with ones that grip more of the door frame wood.
You can also alter the lock, however it will be more difficult and complicated. Begin by loosening either the lock knob or handle using a flathead screws. After that, you can remove the lock assembly by uncrewing it from its cubbyhole and taking it out. Look for obstructions, and then reassemble it and make sure that all screw connections are tightened.
If the latch doesn't touch the strike plate, you might have to move the strike plate or expand it. If the strike plate is higher or lower higher than the latch hole it could hinder the lock from closing and may require a locksmith. If the hole is small, you can make use of a metal file to enlarge it.
Sagging
If your doors are sagging or have gaps between them, it will affect the insulation of your home and lower the efficiency of its energy use. These gaps can also cause drafts that block your view. There are a few simple solutions to this issue.
Start by tightening your hinges and aligning them properly. This is usually 10 minutes or less, and will not require any tools. If this does nothing to fix the problem, you will need to replace your hinges. They're likely to be at the end of their lifespan.
Over time the weight of your French door may cause them to become loose. To stop this from happening make sure you tighten all the hinges on your door and inspect them frequently to ensure that they're still secure. It is also recommended to regularly lubricate your hinges with a spray of lubricant to extend their lifespan.
Replace old or damaged hinges to prevent a door from sliding. A new doorknob or freshly painted doors, can affect the sloping of your French doors.
Other causes of sagging are foundation settlement, wear on hinges or improper modifications to your doors. You can repair a door that is sagging by tightening or adjusting the hinges.
It is also essential to inspect the weather stripping on your doors to ensure that they're functioning properly. If they are not working, taking them off and replacing them will fix the issue.
It is also important to check your frames for signs of rot or warping. These issues can cause drafts, which can decrease the effectiveness of your door. They could also cause water leakage and other problems around your home.
Popular Mechanics advises that if your doors are sagging after you've tried the first two options, you may have to sand your door jambs using a handplane. To do this, remove the doors from their hinges and place them flat on a sawhorse or other sturdy object. Mark the places that need planed, and then use a hand plane to smooth out these areas of the doorjamb.
Leaks
The large areas of glass on French doors make them an ideal source for water leaks, particularly in an area that experiences heavy rainfall. If not treated, these leaks can cause the frame of the door to become rotted and also the structure around it to deteriorate. Fortunately, fixing leaks is a fairly simple task that will only take some time to complete.
Leaks can be caused by a number of reasons that include:
A broken seal
This issue can be easily resolved by replacing the rubber seal on either side of the threshold with a an entirely new seal. This will ensure that there is an exact fit and stop rainwater from getting inside your home.
Water is leaking from the sill
This issue can be caused in a number of ways that include the absence of a sillpan or using a sill made from metal that is not watertight. If you see water accumulating around your French doors, you need to get in touch with the builder and ask for the installation of sill pans or replace the sill made of steel by a wooden one that will keep out water.
Obstructions
A leaky seal can cause fog to build up between the double panes of French doors. This can obstruct the view and reduce their energy efficiency. The problem can be resolved by replacing the seal with a fresher one that blocks both air and moisture.
Loose handles
A loose handle on your French doors could be risky, since it could fall off when you're opening or closing the door. Tightening the screws on the handle can solve this problem, or you could simply replace the handle altogether in the event that it's damaged or worn out.
A track stop that's not properly installed may cause doors to become jammed and scratch the frames. This issue can be fixed by putting silicone caulk on tracks or track stops. It's also an excellent idea to check for cracks regularly and wear on the exterior surface of doors and frames to ensure they're in top condition.
Warping
If you're not careful If you're not careful, your French doors may begin to warp because of exposure to heat or moisture. It is recommended to call an experienced handyman with experience fixing your French doors. They'll be able to guide you on the best way to fix your doors and ensure that they are safe to open and close.
If your doors are seriously bent, you may have to replace them completely. If they are only slightly warped, you may be able to straighten them by putting wet towels over the problem area. Place the towels in the doors for a few days, or even longer, until they are completely flattened.
This method is usually applied to uPVC doors, but can also be applied to wood doors in the event that the wood is properly seasoned. It is important to keep in mind that the process is time-consuming and difficult to achieve especially when the doors are severely warped.
If the doors were stored incorrectly, this can be a cause of stretching. Keep them away from any building work that produces lots of moisture such as plastering and decorating. They should be kept in a flat place on a firm surface.
A damaged strike plate could also cause warping. To fix this, you need to remove the doors and place them on a pair of sawhorses. Then, employ a hand-planer to remove any wood from the top and bottom of each door. You should work in small increments to avoid removing too much wood from the doors. This could cause them to become too thin and fragile.
Once the doors are fixed, you can put the strike plate back into place. If visit this website isn't working after this the barrel catch could be stuck on the frame's side. the frame. This is typically fixed by applying silicone spray. If this doesn't work, you may require replacing the latch.