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Why Nobody Cares About Repair French Doors
How to Repair French Doors

French doors are a beautiful addition to any home that connects outdoor and indoor spaces. They are susceptible to problems in time, and require immediate attention for security and efficiency.

Common issues include problems with alignment, sagging, and warping of the door frame and sash. Fortunately, the majority of these issues can be easily fixed with some time and effort.

Locks that are not aligned

Sometimes doors get stuck or misaligned due to humidity, wood swelling or the house sinking. This could cause the bolt of 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 damaged inner components. This is fortunately an issue that is common and can often be solved with simple DIY methods.

In some cases there are times when a tiny amount of lubricant is enough to make the door easier to open and close. You can apply a graphite-based lubricant, but be sure it's safe for the door. Be sure to clean the door with a damp cloth to eliminate any dirt from around the door before you apply the lubricant.

A door that is hanging off-center is easily fixed by loosening and adjusting the hinges until they align with the frame. But, you should be careful not to tighten too much the screws since this can cause damage to the door or hinges.

If your external French door isn't closing correctly it could be a sign that there are obstructions in the lock mechanism. This is typically caused by short screws that came from the factory that have become loose over time. To fix this, replace the screws with ones that grab more of the door frame wood.

You can also alter the lock, however it's more difficult and complicated. Start by loosening either the lock knob or handle with flathead screw. Then, you can remove the lock assembly by uncrewing it from its cubbyhole, and taking it out. Examine for obstructions, then reassemble it and tighten all screw connections.

If the latch isn't touching the strike plate, you may need to relocate or expand the strike plate hole. If the strike plate is higher or higher than the latch hole it could prevent the lock from closing, and require a locksmith professional. If the hole is small you can use a metal file to make it larger.

Sagging

If your doors are sagging or have gaps, this will lower the efficiency of your home. These gaps can also create drafts and obstruct your view. There are some simple fixes to this issue.

Begin by tightening the hinges and aligning them correctly. This is usually 10 minutes or less and not require any tools. If this isn't enough to solve your issue then you may have to replace the hinges as they've likely reached the end of their life.

Over time, the weight of your French door can cause them to loosen. To prevent this ensure that you tighten all hinges on your door and check them regularly to ensure they're still secure. It is also recommended to regularly lubricate your hinges by spraying them with lubricant to prolong their life.

The hinges that are old or damaged can cause a door to sag and sag, so replacing them with new ones can help. A new doorknob or freshly painted doors, could also alter the position of your French doors.

Other causes of sagging are foundation settlement as well as wear and tear on the hinges or inadequate modifications to your doors. You can fix a sagging door by tightening or changing the hinges.

It is also essential to check the weather stripping and door sweep regularly to make sure they're working properly. If they are not, removing them and replacing them should solve the issue.


Also, you should check your frames for signs of rot or warping. These issues can create drafts and not only affect the performance of your doors, but they can also cause water leakage and other damage within your home.

If your doors are creaking and you've tried the two methods above It is likely that you'll need to sand down your door jamb with a hand plane as recommended by Popular Mechanics. To do this, you must remove the doors from the hinges and lay them flat on a sawhorse, or something else sturdy. Make a note of the areas that require planing, then use a hand plane to smooth these areas of the doorjamb.

Leaks

French doors with large glass areas are more prone to leaks, especially if you live in an area that experiences heavy rainfall. If not treated the leaks could lead to decay of the frame and the surrounding structure. Fortunately, fixing leaks is a fairly simple task that should only take a few hours to complete.

Leaks can be caused by many factors, such as

A broken seal

This issue can be easily resolved by replacing the rubber seal on either side of the threshold with a the new seal. This will ensure that there is an exact fit and stop rainwater from entering your home.

Water is leaking through the sill

The problem could be caused by a number of ways that include the absence of a sillpan, or using a sill made from metal that is not watertight. If RepairMyWindowsAndDoors find that water is gathering around your French door, call the builder to ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill by an wooden sill that can resist water.

Obstructions

A faulty seal can also cause fog to build up between the two panes of glass on French doors, which obstructs the view and lowers energy efficiency levels. It can be corrected by replacing the existing seal with a new one that can keep out moisture and air.

Loose handles

Having a loose handle on your French doors can be quite dangerous, since it can be snagged while you're opening or closing the door. By tightening the screws on the handle can solve this problem or you can replace the handle entirely if it's damaged or worn out.

A track stop that isn't properly installed can also cause doors to become jammed and scratch the frames. Applying silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops can help solve this problem. Also, you should regularly check the exterior surfaces of frames and doors for wear or cracks to ensure that they are in good shape.

Warping

If you're not cautious If you're not careful, your French doors could start warping because of exposure to moisture or heat. If this happens, you should consider calling a handyman who specialises in the repair of 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 badly bent, you may need to replace them. If they're only slightly warped, it could be possible to get them back to straight by soaking heavy towels and placing them across the problem area. Place the towels on the doors for several days or even longer until they are completely flattened.

This method can be used to restore uPVC or wood doors provided that the wood is well-seasoned. The process is laborious and time-consuming, especially in the case of doors that are warped.

If the doors have been stored improperly, it could be a cause of the doors to warp. Avoid them from building work that produces lots of moisture such as plastering and decorating. They should also be stored flat on a smooth surface and not stacked especially when they are not finished.

A damaged strike plate may also cause warping. To correct the issue you'll need to remove your doors and place them on a pair sawhorses. The wood that is left over can be removed from the top and bottom edges of each door by using a hand plane. It is best to work in small increments to avoid taking too much wood from the doors. This could cause them to become too thin and brittle.

After the doors have been fixed, you can put the strike plate back in place. If the lock does not work after this the barrel catch could be catching on the side of the frame. This can be fixed by spraying silicone onto the latch. If this does not work, you might have to replace the latch.

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