How to Repair French Doors
French doors are a beautiful addition to a home that connects outdoor and indoor spaces. They can develop problems with time, requiring immediate attention to ensure safety and functionality.
Sagging, misalignment and warping of the sash and frame of the door are all common issues. Fortunately, most of these issues can be easily repaired with a bit of time and effort.
Locks that are not aligned
Some doors may become stuck or misaligned due to humidity, wood swelling or house settle. This could cause the bolt of the lock to become loose and making it more difficult to open or close the door. This could put additional pressure on the locks which could eventually result in broken locks or mangled components. It's an issue that is common and can often be solved with simple DIY techniques.
In certain situations all that is needed is a small amount of lubrication help the door open and close smoothly. You can apply graphite lubricant, but be careful to select one that is safe for your door. Be sure to clean the area with a damp cloth to clean any debris around the door prior to you apply the oil.
Another way to fix a door hanging off the wall is by loosing the hinges and then adjusting them until they are level with the door's frame. However, be cautious not to over tighten the screws as this can damage the hinges or door.
If your external French doors aren't closing properly, it could be an indication that there is a problem in the lock mechanism. This is usually caused by factory screws that are short that become loose with time. Replace the screws with larger ones to grab more wood from the door frames.
You can also adjust the lock itself, but it will be more difficult and complicated. Begin by loosening either the lock knob or handle with flathead screws. Then, you can remove the lock from its cubbyhole by unscrewing and taking it out. Inspect it for any obstructions, and then reassemble and tighten the screw connections.
If the latch isn't hitting the strike plate hole it may be necessary to alter or increase the size of the strike plate hole. If the strike plate is lower or higher than the hole for the latch, this could prevent the lock from closing and may require a locksmith. If the hole is small it is possible to make use of a file made of metal to increase the size of the hole.
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 and block your view. There are simple solutions to this issue.
To begin start by tightening your hinges to ensure they're properly aligned. This will take about 10 minutes or less and will not require any tools. If this doesn't fix the issue, you will need to replace your hinges. They are likely at the end of their lifecycle.
Over time, your French doors may become loose because of the weight. To prevent this, tighten all of the hinges on your door and check them regularly to ensure they're still secure. You can also keep your hinges lubricated with a lubricating spritz to prolong their life.
The hinges that are old or damaged can cause a door to sag, so replacing hinges with new ones could help. A new doorknob or doors that have been freshly painted, can affect the position of your French doors.
Other causes of sagging are foundation settlement, wear on hinges or the wrong modifications to your doors. A door that is sagging can be fixed by adjusting the hinges or tightening the hinge screws or replacing the hinges altogether.
It is also essential to check the weather stripping and door sweep frequently to ensure they are working correctly. If they are not, removing them and replacing them will fix the issue.
It is also important to examine your frames for signs of warping or rot. These problems can lead to drafts that make it harder to use your door. They can also lead to water leakage or problems around your home.
If your doors are sliding and you've tried the two methods above, it is likely that you'll need to remove the door jamb with a hand-planer as recommended by Popular Mechanics. To do french door replacement , unhook your doors from the hinges. Set them flat on a sturdy 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
The vast areas of glass on French doors can be an ideal source for water leaks, especially when you live in an area that experiences frequent rainfall. If left untreated the leaks could lead to rotting of the door frame and the structure surrounding it. It is fairly easy to fix these leaks and should only take only a few minutes.
Leaks can be caused by a number of factors that include:
A broken seal
This issue can be solved by replacing the rubber seal on either side of the threshold the new seal. This will ensure a tight fit and prevent rainwater from entering your home.
Water is leaking from the sill
This issue can be caused in through a variety of causes such as the absence of a sillpan or using a sill made of metal that is not watertight. If you notice water collecting around your French doors, it is important to get in touch with the builder and ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill with a wooden one that will keep out water.
Obstructions
A faulty seal can also cause fog to build up between the double panes glass on French doors, which block the view and lowers energy efficiency. This can be fixed by replacing the seal with a new one that is able to stop moisture and air from entering.
Loose handles
Having a loose handle on your French doors can be quite dangerous, as it can fall off while you're opening or closing the door. By tightening the handles' screws can fix this issue or you can replace the handle entirely when it's worn or damaged out.
Similarly, a track stop that isn't properly set can stop doors from sliding properly which can cause jams and scratches on the frames. Adding some silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops could help with this issue. Also, you should regularly check the exterior surfaces of doors and frames for wear or cracks, and make sure they are in good condition.
Warping
A French door is a beautiful view and allows plenty of natural light, but If you're not careful, your doors can start warping because of exposure to heat or humidity. It's a good idea to contact an experienced handyman with experience fixing a French door. They can guide you on the best way 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're slightly warped, it could be possible to get them straight by wetting heavy towels and laying them over the area of concern. Place the towels on the doors for several days, or even longer, until they're completely flattened.
This method is usually applied to uPVC doors, but it can also be applied to wood ones - provided the wood is properly seasoned. It is important to keep in mind that the process is time-consuming and difficult to achieve particularly if the doors are very warped.
Doors can crack when they are stored improperly. They should be kept away from building works that generate a lot of humidity like decorating or plastering work. They should be kept flat, on a solid surface.
Another reason for warping is an unfastened strike plate. To fix the problem it is necessary to take the doors off and place them on a pair of sawhorses. Then, use a hand plane to remove any wood from the top and bottom of each door. It is 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 fix the strike plate into place. If the lock still doesn't work, the barrel catch may be getting caught on the side of the frame. This can be fixed by spraying silicone on the latch. If this isn't working, you might require replacing the latch.