How to Repair French Doors
French doors are a beautiful way to connect outdoor and indoor spaces. They can become problematic with time, requiring immediate attention to ensure safety and functionality.
Common issues are the misalignment, sagging and warping of the door's frame and sash. The majority of these issues are easily solved with some time and effort.
Locks that are misaligned
Sometimes doors become stuck or misaligned because of humidity, swelling of the wood, or the house settling. This can make the strike bolt or lock plate move out of alignment, requiring more force to open and close the door. This puts additional strain on the lock, which can eventually lead to mangled inner-lock components or broken locks altogether. This is a common issue which can be solved with DIY techniques.
In some instances it is possible that a small amount of lubricant is all that's needed to make the door more easy to open and close. You can apply graphite as a lubricant, but make sure to choose a product that is safe for your door. Make sure to wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any debris around the door prior to you apply the oil.
A door that is hanging off-center is easily fixed by loosening and adjusting the hinges until they are in line with the frame. However, be careful not to tighten too much the screws since this can damage the door or hinges.
If your external French doors are not closing properly, this could indicate that there is a problem in the lock mechanism. This is usually caused by the short screws of the factory that come undone with time. Replace the screws with larger ones to grab more wood from the door frames.
You can also adjust the lock, however it's more complicated and difficult. Begin by loosening the knob or handle with flathead screw. After that, you can remove the lock assembly by unscrewing it from the cubbyhole and taking it out. Check for any obstructions and then put it back together and tighten the screw connections.
If the latch does not hit the strike plate, you might need to move the strike plate or increase it. If the strike plate is either higher or lower than the latch hole, this can prevent the lock from closing, and require a locksmith professional. If the hole is too small, you can expand it by using a metal file or drill.
Sagging
If your doors are sagging or have gaps, this will decrease the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also cause drafts that block your view. Fortunately there are easy fixes that can help resolve these issues.
Begin by tightening the hinges and aligning them properly. This should take 10 minutes or less and will not require any tools. If this doesn't solve your issue, you may need to replace the hinges as they've likely reached the end of their life.
Over time, the weight of your French door may cause them to become loose. To prevent this from happening, tighten the hinges of your door and make sure they are secure. It is also recommended to regularly lubricate your hinges by spraying them with lubricant to prolong their life.
Old or damaged hinges can cause a door to slide and sag, so replacing hinges with new ones could aid. A new doorknob or freshly painted doors could affect the alignment of your French door.
Other causes of sagging include foundation settlement, wear on the hinges or the wrong modifications to your doors. You can fix a door that is sagging by tightening or adjusting the hinges.
Also, it is important to check the weather stripping on your doors to make sure they're working properly. If they are not, removing them and replacing them should solve the issue.
Additionally, you should periodically examine the wood of your door frame for signs of warping or rotting. These problems can lead to drafts that make it harder to use your door. They could also cause water leakage or problems around your home.
If your doors are creaking and you have tried the two methods above, it is likely that you'll have to remove the door jamb with a hand-planer, advises Popular Mechanics. To do this, remove the doors from their hinges, and put them flat on a sawhorse, or something else sturdy. Then, mark repair french doors repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk that require smoothing out, then use a plane to smooth these areas.
Leaks
The large glass areas on French doors make them a frequent source of water leaks, particularly if you live in a region that receives significant rainfall. Untreated, these leaks may cause the door frame to decay and damage the structure around it to deteriorate. Fortunately, fixing these leaks is a relatively easy task that will only take just a few hours to finish.
Leaks can be caused by a variety of causes, including
A broken seal
Replace the rubber seals that are on either side of your threshold with new seals. This will ensure that there is a tight fit and prevent rainwater from getting inside your home.
Water leaking from the sill
This issue can be caused in through a variety of causes, including the lack of a sillpan or by using a sill made of metal that is not watertight. If you notice water collecting around your French doors, it's important to get in touch with the builder and ask them to install sill pans or replace the sill made of steel by an alternative made of wood that will be able to resist moisture.
Obstructions
A faulty seal can also result in fog accumulating between the double panes glass on French doors, which block the view and decreases their energy efficiency levels. The issue can be solved by replacing the seal with a more modern one that can block out both moisture and air.
Loose Handles
A loose handle could be dangerous because it can fall while you are opening or closing your French door. By tightening the handles' screws can fix this issue or replace the handle completely if it's damaged or worn out.
A track stop that isn't properly set can stop doors from sliding properly which can cause scratches and jams on the frames. This issue can be resolved by applying silicone caulk to track stops or tracks. It's also recommended to regularly check for cracks and wear on the exterior surfaces of doors and frames to ensure they're in good shape.
Warping
A French door is a beautiful view and lets in lots of natural light, but if you're not careful your doors may begin to warp as a result of exposure to humidity or heat. If this happens, consider hiring a handyman who specializes in the repair of French doors. They can advise on the best way to repair your doors and make sure that they are safe to open and close.
If your doors are severely bent, it may be necessary to replace them. If they're only slightly warped, it may be possible to get them back to straight by wetting heavy towels and placing them across the problem area. Leave the towels in place for a couple of days or until the doors are completely flattened.
This method can be used to fix uPVC or wood doors, provided that the wood has been well-seasoned. The process is laborious and time-consuming, particularly if your doors are warped.
The doors could warp when they are stored incorrectly. Avoid them from building work that produces lots of moisture such as plastering and decorating. They should be kept in a flat place, on a solid surface.
Another cause of warping is a loose strike plate. To fix the issue, you will need to take the doors off and place them on a pair of sawhorses. The wood that is left over can be removed from the edges at the top and bottom of each door with hand planes. It is best to work in small increments to avoid removing too much wood from the doors. This could result in them becoming too thin and fragile.
Once the doors are fixed, you can put the strike plate back into place. If the lock isn't working after this the barrel catch could be caught on the other side of the frame. This can usually be solved by lubricating and applying silicone spray. If that doesn't help the latch, it could require replacement.