How to Repair French Doors
French doors are a beautiful method of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. However, they could face issues over time, which require prompt attention for both safety and practicality.
Sagging, misalignment and warping of door frame and sash are all common issues. Fortunately, many of these issues can be easily repaired with a bit of time and effort.
Locks that aren't aligned
Some doors may become misaligned or stuck due to humidity, wood swelling or house settle. This can make the lock bolt or strike plate move out of alignment, requiring more force to open and close the door. This could also put extra strain on the locks, which may eventually lead to broken locks or mangled components. This is a frequent issue which can be solved through DIY solutions.
In certain situations there are times when a tiny amount of lubricant may be all you need to make the door more easy to open and close. It is possible to use graphite as a lubricant, but be careful to choose a product that is safe for your door. Make sure you clean the area with a moist cloth to remove any debris from around the door before applying the lubricant.
Another way to fix a door hanging out of alignment is to loosen the hinges and then moving them until they are in line with the door's frame. However, you must be careful to avoid over-tightening the screws, as this could damage the door or hinges.
If your external French doors are not closing properly, it could be a sign that there is an obstruction in the lock mechanism. Usually, this is caused by factory screws that are short that come undone as time passes. To fix this issue, replace the screws with longer ones that grab more of the door frame wood.
You can also adjust the lock, but it will be more complicated and difficult. Begin by loosening the knob or handle using flathead screws. Then, you can remove the lock by removing it from its cubbyhole, and taking it out. Examine it for any obstructions, and then put it back together and tighten the screw connections.
If the latch does not hit the strike plate, you may have to move the strike plate or increase it. If the strike plate is either higher or lower than the hole for the latch it can stop the lock from closing, and require a locksmith professional. If the hole is too small, you can enlarge it with a metal file or drill.
Sagging
If your doors sag or have gaps, this will lower the efficiency of your home. These gaps can also cause drafts and obstruct your view. There are simple solutions to address these issues.
Begin by tightening the hinges and aligning them correctly. This is usually 10 minutes or less and will not require any tools. If this doesn't solve the issue it is possible to replace the hinges, as they have likely reached the end of their life.
Over time, the weight of your French door may cause them to become loose. To prevent this ensure that you tighten all hinges on your door and check them frequently to ensure that they are still secure. It is also recommended to keep your hinges lubricated by spraying them with lubricant to prolong their life.
Replace hinges that are damaged or worn out to stop a door from sliding. A new doorknob or freshly painted doors can also impact the alignment of your French door.
Other causes of sagging include foundation settlement, wear and tear on the hinges, or improper modifications to your doors. You can fix a door that is sagging by tightening or altering the hinges.
It is also necessary to check the weather stripping and door sweep often to make sure they're functioning properly. If they are not, then removing them and replacing them will fix 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 affect the performance of your doors, but they could also lead to water leakage and other damage around your house.
Popular Mechanics advises that if your doors are creaking, and you've tried all three options, you may need to sand your door jambs with a handplane. To do this, remove your doors from the hinges. Lay them flat on a solid surface like a sawhorse. Mark the areas that need smoothing, and then use a plane to smooth these areas.
Leaks
French doors with large glass areas are more prone to leaks, especially if you live in a region that receives heavy rainfall. Left untreated the leaks could lead to rotting of the door frame and the surrounding structure. Fortunately, fixing leaks is a fairly simple task that will only take a few hours to complete.
Leaks can be caused by a variety of causes which include:
A broken seal
This problem can be resolved by replacing the rubber seal on either side of the threshold with a the new seal. This will ensure a perfect fit, preventing rainwater from getting inside your home.
Water 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 find that water is gathering around your French door, you should contact the builder and ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill with an wooden sill that can keep out moisture.
Obstructions
A faulty seal can also cause fog to accumulate between the double panes glass on French doors, which blocks the view and reduces their energy efficiency. This can be corrected by replacing the existing seal with a new one that can stop moisture and air from entering.
Loose Handles
A loose handle could be dangerous since it can fall while you are closing or opening your French door. This problem can be fixed by tightening the screws or replacing the handle if it's damaged or worn.
A track stop that's not properly set can stop doors from sliding properly, leading to scratches and jams on frames. This issue can be fixed by adding silicone caulk to tracks or track stops. french door repair 's also recommended to regularly check for cracks and wear on the exterior surfaces of the frames and doors to ensure they're in good condition.
Warping
If you're not careful, your French doors could begin warping due to exposure to heat or moisture. It's worth calling in a handyman with experience in repairing French door. They can advise you on the best method to fix your doors, and also ensure that they're safe to shut and open.
If your doors are severely bent, it may be necessary to replace them. If they are just slightly warped, you might be capable of straightening them by placing wet heavy towels over the problem area. The towels should remain in place for a few days or until the doors are completely flattened.
This method can be used to restore uPVC or wood doors provided that the wood has been well-seasoned. It's important to note that the process is time-consuming and challenging to accomplish particularly if the doors are very damaged.
The doors could warp if they have been stored incorrectly. Avoid them from building work that produces lots of moisture, like decorating and plastering. They should be stored flat, on a solid surface.
A loose strike plate can also cause warping. To fix this issue, you'll need to remove the doors and place them on the sawhorses. You can then use a hand plane to remove any excess wood from the top and bottom of each door. It's important to work in small increments so that you don't end up taking too much wood off the doors, which can cause them to become too thin and brittle.
After the doors have been rehung, put the strike plate back in place. If the lock does not work after this the barrel catch may be stuck on the frame's side. the frame. This is usually solved by lubricating and applying silicone spray. If that doesn't work, the latch might require replacement.