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How to Repair French Doors

French doors are a beautiful way to connect outdoor and indoor spaces. They can become problematic in time, and require immediate attention to ensure safety and functionality.

Misalignment, sagging and warping of the door's frame and sash are all common problems. Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily solved with a little time and effort.

Misaligned locks

Some doors can become misaligned or stuck due to humidity or wood swelling, or house settle. This can cause the bolt for the lock to become faulty, making it harder to open or close the door. This also puts extra strain on the lock, which can eventually lead to mangled inner-lock components or even broken locks completely. This is a common problem that can be easily solved through DIY solutions.

In certain situations all that is needed is a bit of lubrication to allow the door to open and close smoothly. You can apply graphite lubricant, but be careful to choose one that is safe for your door. Before applying the lubricant clean the door's perimeter with an abrasive rag that is damp to remove any debris.

A door that hangs off-center is easily repaired by loosening and adjusting the hinges until they are aligned with the frame. However, be careful not to tighten too much the screws, as this could cause damage to the door or hinges.

If your exterior French doors aren't closing properly, it could indicate that there is a problem in the lock mechanism. This usually happens due to small screws from the factory that have come loose over time. Replace the screws with longer ones to grab more wood from the door frames.

You can also alter the lock, but it's more complicated and difficult. Begin by loosening the knob or handle with a flathead screwdriver. After that, you can remove the lock by removing it from its cubbyhole, and taking it out. Examine it for any obstructions and then rebuild and tighten the screw connections.

If the latch doesn't hit the strike plate, you may need to move the strike plate or expand it. If the strike plate is higher or higher than the latch hole it can stop the lock from closing, and require a locksmith professional. If the hole is tiny you can use a metal file to enlarge it.

Sagging

If your doors sag or have gaps, this will reduce the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also obstruct views and cause drafts. Fortunately, there are a few simple fixes that can solve these problems.

To begin, tighten your hinges to ensure they are properly aligned. This should take only 10 minutes and no tools are required. If this doesn't solve the issue it is possible to replace the hinges, as they've likely reached the end of their lifespan.

Over time, the weight of your French door can cause them to become loose. To avoid this, tighten all of the hinges on your door and test them regularly to ensure they're secure. Occasionally, you should also grease the hinges with an oil-based spray to prolong their life.

The hinges that are old or damaged can cause doors to bow and sag, so replacing hinges with new ones could help. A new doorknob, or freshly painted doors, could also alter the alignment of your French doors.

Other causes of sagging include foundation settlement, wear on hinges, or incorrect changes made to your doors. A door that is sagging could be fixed by adjusting your hinges or tightening the hinge screws, or even replacing the hinges completely.

Also, it is important to inspect the weather stripping on your doors and to make sure that they're working properly. If they are not, then removing them and replacing them should solve the issue.

You should also look over your frames for signs of rot or warping. These issues can cause a draft and will not only decrease the effectiveness of your doors, but they could also lead to water leakage as well as other damage within your home.

Popular Mechanics advises that if your doors are creaking after you've tried the first two alternatives, you might need to sand the door jambs using a handplane. To do this, take your doors from their hinges. Place them flat on a sturdy surface like a sawhorse. Make a note of the areas that require planing, then use a hand plane to smooth these areas of the doorjamb.

Leaks

The large glass areas on French doors make them a common source of water leaks, especially in a region that receives frequent rainfall. If not treated, these leaks can cause rotting of the door frame and the structure around it. It is comparatively simple to repair these leaks and should only take a few minutes.

Leaks can be caused by a number of causes which include:

A broken seal

Replace the rubber seals that are on either side of your threshold with new ones. This will ensure a perfect fit, which will prevent rainwater from getting inside your home.

Water leaking from the sill

This problem can be caused many ways, including the lack 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 contact the builder and ask for the installation of sill pans or replace the steel sill with a wooden one that will resist water.

Obstructions

A damaged seal can result in fog accumulating between the double panes of glass on French doors, which obstructs the view and reduces their energy efficiency levels. The issue can be solved by replacing the old seal with a newer one that can block out both air and moisture.

Loose Handles

A handle that is loose on your French doors can be risky, since it could fall off while you're opening or closing the door. This problem can be fixed by tightening the screws, or replacing the handle if it's damaged or worn.


Similar to a track stop that's not correctly set can stop doors from sliding properly, leading to scratches and jams on the frames. Adding silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops can help with this issue. It's also a good idea to check for cracks regularly and wear on the exterior surfaces of the frames and doors to ensure they're in good shape.

Warping

If you're not cautious If you're not careful, your French doors could start warping because of exposure to moisture or heat. If this happens, it's worth calling a handyman that specializes in repairing French doors. They can provide advice on the best method to repair your doors and ensure that they are safe to open and close.

If your doors are seriously bent, it may be necessary to replace them. If they are just slightly bent, you may be in a position to straighten them by placing wet heavy towels over the problem area. Place the towels on the floor for a few days or until the doors have been flattened completely.

This method is often employed on uPVC doors, but it can also be applied to wooden doors - provided the wood is properly seasoned. It's important to note that the process is time-consuming and is difficult to achieve particularly if the doors are very bent.

The doors could warp when they are stored incorrectly. They should be kept clear from construction projects that create a lot of humidity such as decorating or plastering work. They should also be kept flat on a surface and not stacked especially when they are not finished.

Another cause of warping is the strike plate being loose. To correct the issue you'll need to take your doors off and place them on a pair of sawhorses. You can then use a hand plane to remove any wood from the top and bottom of each door. It is best to work in small increments to avoid removing too much wood from the doors. This could cause them to become too thin and brittle.

After the doors have been fixed, you can put the strike plate back in place. If the lock does not work, the barrel catch may be getting caught on the side of the frame. This is usually solved by lubricating and lubricating the latch with silicone spray. If french doors glass replacement doesn't work the latch, it could require replacement.

Member since: Friday, September 6, 2024

Website: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/ilford-french-door-repairs-near-me/