How to Repair French Doors
French doors are an elegant addition to a home, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. They are susceptible to problems in time, and require immediate attention to safety and functionality.
Warping, sagging and misalignment of the door's frame and sash are all common problems. Most of these problems can be solved with just a bit of time and effort.
Misaligned Locks
Sometimes doors are stuck or misaligned due humidity, swelling of the wood, or the house settling. This can cause the bolt for the lock to be awry and make it difficult to open or close the door. This can also put extra stress on the locks, which could eventually result in broken locks or mangled components. This is fortunately an issue that is quite common and can be resolved with simple DIY methods.
In some cases all that is needed is a little lubrication to aid the door in opening and close with ease. You can use a graphite lubricant but make sure it is safe for the door. Before applying the lubricant wipe the door's perimeter with a damp rag to get rid of any obstructions.
Another way to fix a door hanging out of alignment is to loosen the hinges and then moving them until they're aligned with the door's frame. You must be careful not to tighten the screws too much because this could damage the hinges or door.
If your exterior French doors aren't closing properly, this could be a sign that there is an obstruction in the lock mechanism. repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk happens due to short screws that came from the factory that have become loose over time. Replace the screws with larger ones to pull more wood from the door frames.
You can also try adjusting the lock, but it will be more complicated and difficult. Begin by loosening the knob or handle with flathead screws. You can then remove the lock assembly from its cubbyhole by removing it and pulling it out. Check for any obstructions, and then rebuild and tighten the screw connections.
If the latch isn't touching the strike plate hole it may be necessary to relocate or expand the strike plate hole. If the strike plate is lower or higher than the latch hole this could prevent the lock from closing and will require locksmith assistance. If the hole is too small, you can expand it using a file or drill.
Sagging
If your doors are sliding or have gaps between them, it can impact the insulation properties of your home and lower the efficiency of its energy use. These gaps can also obstruct views and create drafts. Fortunately there are simple solutions to help solve these issues.
To begin with, tighten your hinges to ensure that they are properly aligned. This should take 10 minutes or less, and will not require any tools. If this doesn't fix the problem then you'll need to replace your hinges. They're likely to be to be at the end of their lifecycle.
Over time the French doors can loosen because of the weight. To stop this from happening, tighten the hinges of your door and ensure they are secure. At times, you should lubricate the hinges with an oil-based spray to prolong their life.
Replace hinges that are damaged or worn out to stop your door from sliding. A new doorknob or doors freshly painted can affect the position of your French doors.
Other causes of sagging are foundation settlement, wear on the hinges or the wrong changes made to your doors. A door that is sagging could be fixed by adjusting the hinges or tightening the hinge screws, or even replacing the hinges entirely.
Also, it is important to check the weather stripping on your doors and to make sure that they are functioning correctly. If they're not working, you can remove them and replace them.
Lastly, you should occasionally examine the wood on your door frame for signs of warping or rotting. These issues can cause drafts that reduce the efficiency of your door. They can also lead to water leakage or other damage around your home.
If your doors are creaking and you have tried the two options above, it is likely that you'll have to remove the door jamb with a hand plane as recommended by Popular Mechanics. To do this, remove your doors from their hinges. Place them flat on a solid surface like a sawhorse. Mark the places that need planning, and then use a hand plane to smooth out these areas of the doorjamb.
Leaks
French doors with large glass areas are prone to leaks, particularly if you live in a region that receives heavy rainfall. Untreated, these leaks may cause the door frame to decay and damage the structure surrounding it. Fortunately, fixing leaks is a fairly simple task that will take only a few hours to complete.
Leaks can be caused by many factors, including
A broken seal
Replace the rubber seals that are on either side of your threshold with new ones. This will ensure that there is an exact fit and stop rainwater from entering your home.
Water leaking through the sill
This issue can be caused in many ways that include the absence of a sillpan, or using a metal sill which is not watertight. If you notice that water is collecting around your French door, contact the builder and ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill with a wooden sill that will resist moisture.
Obstructions
A leaky seal can cause fog to build up between the double panes on French doors. This can obstruct the view and reduce energy efficiency. The issue can be solved by replacing the seal with a newer one that blocks moisture and air.
Loose Handles
A handle that is loose 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 resolve this issue or you can replace the handle altogether if it's damaged or worn out.
Similar to a track stop that's not correctly set can stop doors from sliding in the right way, resulting in scratches and jams on 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 remain in top condition.
Warping
A French door is a beautiful view and lets in lots of light, however if you're not careful your doors may begin to warp as a result of exposure to humidity or heat. If this happens, it's worth calling a handyman that specializes in the repair of French doors. They can advise you on the best method of repairing your doors and make sure that they're safe to open and close.
If your doors are seriously damaged, you may need to replace them entirely. If they are just slightly warped, you may be capable of straightening them by putting wet towels over the area that is causing problems. Leave the towels on the door for a few days, or even longer, until they are completely flattened.
This method is often employed on uPVC doors, but can also be applied to wooden doors - provided the wood is well-seasoned. It is important to remember that the process can be time-consuming and challenging to accomplish particularly in the case of doors that are extremely warped.
The doors could warp in the event that they were stored incorrectly. They should be kept clear from building works that generate a lot of humidity like decorating or plastering work. They should also be kept flat on a smooth surface and not stacked especially in their unfinished state.
A damaged strike plate could also cause warping. To correct this, you must remove the doors and set them up on a pair of sawhorses. The wood that is left over can be removed from the top and bottom edges of each door using hand planes. It's important to work in small steps so that you don't end up taking too much wood off the doors, which could make them too thin and brittle.
After the doors have been rehung put the strike plate back in place. If the lock doesn't work, the barrel catch may be catching against the side of the frame. This can be fixed by spraying silicone on the latch. If this doesn't work the latch, it could need to be replaced.