How to Repair French Doors
French doors are an elegant feature of a home that connects outdoor and indoor spaces. However, they could face issues over time, which require immediate attention to both safety and practicality.
Sagging, misalignment and warping of door frame and sash are all common problems. Many of these issues are easily solved with some time and effort.
Misaligned locks
Sometimes doors become stuck or misaligned due humidity, wood swelling, or the house settling. This could cause the strike or lock bolt plate sit askew, requiring more force to open and close the door. This can put extra stress on the lock, which could eventually result in mangled inner-lock components or broken locks altogether. It's a common problem that can be resolved with simple DIY solutions.
In certain situations all that is needed is a small amount of lubrication help the door open and close with ease. It is possible to use graphite as a lubricant, but be careful to select one that is safe for your door. Be sure to clean the area with a moist cloth to eliminate any dirt from the door prior to you apply the lubricant.
Another simple way to fix a door that's hanging out of alignment is to loosen the hinges and then moving them until they are in line with the door's frame. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws because this could damage the hinges or the door.
If your exterior French doors are not closing properly, it could indicate that there is a blockage in the lock mechanism. This usually happens due to short screws from the factory that have come loose over time. To fix this, replace the screws with ones that grip more of the door frame wood.
You can also adjust the lock, however it will be more complex and difficult. Begin by loosening either the lock knob or handle with flathead screw. You can then remove the lock from its cubbyhole, by unscrewing and taking it out. Check for obstructions, then reassemble the lock and make sure that all screw connections are tightened.
If the latch doesn't touch the strike plate, you may have to move the strike plate or enlarge it. If the strike plate is either higher or lower than the hole for the latch it could prevent the lock from closing and will require a locksmith professional. If the hole is small, you can make use of a metal file to make it larger.
Sagging
If your doors aren't straight or have gaps, it will decrease the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also create drafts and block your view. Fortunately, there are a few easy fixes to help solve these problems.
To begin, tighten your hinges to ensure they're properly aligned. This should only take 10 minutes, and no tools are required. If this does nothing to solve the issue then you'll need to replace your hinges. They're likely to be to be at the end of their lifespan.
Over time, the weight of your French door may cause them to become slack. To prevent this ensure that you tighten all hinges on your door and inspect them frequently to ensure that they are still secure. You can also lubricate your hinges periodically by spraying them with lubricant to extend their lifespan.
Replace old or damaged hinges to stop your door from sliding. A new doorknob or freshly painted door can affect the alignment of your French door.
replace garage door with french doors of sagging are foundation settlement, wear on hinges or improper modifications made to your doors. A door that is sagging can be corrected by adjusting the hinges and tightening the hinge screws, or replacing the hinges altogether.
It is also essential to inspect the weather stripping on your doors and to make sure that they are functioning correctly. If they are not working, taking them off and replacing them could fix the issue.
Finally, you should regularly look over the wood on the door frame for signs of warping or rotting. These issues can create drafts, and they will not only decrease the effectiveness of your doors, but they could also lead to water leakage as well as other damage around your house.
If your doors are sliding and you've tried the first two solutions most likely you'll need to smooth down the jamb of your door with a hand plane according to Popular Mechanics. To do this, take your doors from their hinges. Lay them flat on something sturdy like a sawhorse. Then, mark the areas that require smoothing, then use a plane to smooth these areas.
Leaks
The large areas of glass on French doors makes them a frequent source of water leaks, particularly if you live in an area with significant rainfall. Untreated, these leaks may cause the frame of the door to rot and the surrounding structure. It is comparatively easy to fix these leaks and should only take you only a few minutes.
Leaks can be caused by many factors, such as
A broken seal
This issue can be solved by replacing the rubber seal on either side of the threshold with the new seal. This will ensure a tight fit, and will also stop rainwater from getting inside your home.
The sill is leaking with water.
This problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including a absence of a sill pan or by the use of a metal sill that isn't watertight. If you notice water collecting around your French doors, it's important to contact the builder and ask for the installation of a sill pan or to replace the sill made of steel with an alternative made of wood that will resist moisture.
Obstructions
A faulty seal may also cause fog to accumulate between the double panes on French doors. This can obstruct the view and decrease their energy efficiency. The issue can be fixed by replacing the old seal with a newer one that blocks both air and moisture.
Loose Handles
A loose handle on your French doors can be risky, since it could be snagged while you're opening or closing the door. This problem can be fixed by tightening the screws or replacing the handle if it is damaged or worn.
A track stop that isn't properly set can prevent doors from sliding properly, resulting in scratches and jams on frames. Adding some silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops could help with this issue. It is also recommended to regularly inspect the exterior surfaces of doors and frames for wear or cracks to ensure they are in good working order.
Warping
If you are not careful, your French doors could start warping because of exposure to moisture or heat. It is recommended to call an experienced handyman with experience repairing French doors. They will be able to guide you on the best way to repair your doors and ensure that they are safe to open and close.
If your doors are severely damaged, you may need to replace them completely. If they're only slightly warped, it could be possible to get them back to their original position by soaking heavy towels and laying them over the area of concern. Leave the towels on the doors for several days, or even longer, until they 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 difficult and time-consuming, particularly in the case of doors that are warped.
The doors could warp if they have been stored incorrectly. Be sure to keep them away from any construction work that creates lots of moisture, such as plastering and decorating. They should also be kept flat on a smooth surface and not stacked especially in their unfinished state.
Another cause of warping is an unfastened strike plate. To fix this, you need to remove the doors and place them on two sawhorses. Then, employ a hand-planer to remove any excess wood from the top and bottom of each door. It is important to work in small pieces to avoid taking too much off the doors, which could cause them to become too thin and fragile.
Once the doors are fixed, you can put the strike plate back in 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 doesn't work, you may require replacing the latch.