How to Fix Common French Door Repair Problems
French doors can add a touch of sophistication to your home. They are also great for period homes.
Also, they're easy to maintain. They should be cleaned regularly with mild soap.
Like any door, they can get damaged over time. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix them.
Broken or cracked windows
A broken or cracked glass window is not just visually unattractive, but also affects your home's security and insulation. While it is impossible to stop the spread of a crack however, you can slow it down with a few easy and quick solutions.
Wear protective glasses and gloves when working with glass. It is easy to break glass shards when you're not cautious. Then clean the area around the crack with a a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris. This will ensure that the glue you use to fix the crack is held well and doesn't leak or cause further damage.
Decide if you'd like to use a temporary solution, like tape or film to cover the hole or if a more permanent solution is what you would prefer. If you decide to opt for the latter option, be sure to use a glass glue designed for windows and glasses, such as Loctite’s Super Glue Glass. This glue has a strong hold and can be applied to the outside or inside of your glass windows making it ideal for quick fixes.
A clear nail polish can also be used to temporarily fill in cracks. This is particularly useful for stress cracks that form when temperatures change dramatically from hot to cold. Keep in mind that nail polish wasn't made to stand up to water so it won't last for a long time. You can also protect the windows with a plastic film, which will protect them from insects, rain and wind.
Sagging Hinges
A door that is sagging can be an eyesore and can impact the stability of your house. Fortunately, the issue is usually simple to fix. If your door starts to slide, it's imperative to fix the issue immediately. Minor problems can become more serious, like noises, or other issues.
Start by examining the hinges to determine what's causing the issue. In most cases loose screws are the cause. If tightening screws doesn't solve the problem replacement of them with longer screws could help. Longer screws can support the weight of your door and prevent it from sagging.
You might also need to use shims in order to refine the hinge's location. Thin strips of material can be inserted between the hinge and the frame or jamb, spreading the weight of the door evenly and preventing sagging in the future. Use a door stop or have someone hold it in place while you remove screws from the hinge. Then, gently lift the doors off the hinges.
It is crucial to remember that a floor that is uneven could cause a door to sag. Knowing this may prompt you to check the floor and fix any issues, which could help you solve the problem of sagging without focusing solely on the door itself. The door's sagging could be due to the condition of hinge components like the knuckle or the pin. If this is the situation, you'll need to replace the hinges, a task which can be a challenge for those with no carpentry expertise. In some cases the hinges of your door are sagging. This could also mean that the construction of the door is too heavy for its frame or jamb.
Doors that aren't aligned
If your doors are sagging and scratching against the frame, or difficult to latch, they could be incorrectly aligned. A sagging or misaligned door can be annoying and can cause energy waste and scratchy, squeaky noises in your home. There are a variety of simple ways to address this problem without the need to call a professional.
If the gap that surrounds your doors is uneven, it could be a sign that the hinges need to be tightened. If, however, the gap isn't excessive it could be due to your door frame shifting or settling over time. In this instance you can use shims to reset the frame.
A high level of humidity in the air is another common cause of misalignment. This can cause wood to expand, causing your doors to stick. However, this is not an issue that lasts long and typically clears up as the humidity decreases.
Many people find that their doors aren't aligned following a storm, but the solution is simple: simply tighten the hinge screws to fix the alignment. If this doesn't work, you can employ longer screws to fix your hinges. This will give them more support and stop the hinges from loosing again in the near future.
A misaligned strikeplate can be another possibility. Typically, the strike plate needs to be moved lower to allow for more space for the latch. This is a straightforward fix, however, you must remove the old strike plate and then drill holes for it. Use a wood dowel with the same diameter as the screwhole to cover the hole that was previously drilled and then secure it in its new position.
Broken Latch
If the latch does not retract when you manually push it or turn the handle, it is likely that the internal mechanism has failed. You can determine the root of the failure by checking the location of the latch's contacts situated. A lipstick test can help determine if the issue is caused by sagging hinges, misaligned latch bolt, narrow strike plate holes or a combination of problems. To perform the lipstick test apply a strip of lipstick (or similar marking material) on the latch. Close and then open the door. If the latch touches the lipstick below or above the strike plate hole it indicates that there is no contact between the latch and strike plate.
The best way to fix this is to lubricate the latch. WD-40 and other dry lubricants will not work as well as graphite pencil. You can also employ a cotton swab to clean any dirt that has accumulated in the keyhole.
If lubricating the latch does not solve the issue you may have to move the strike plate. If you've sanded or shimmied the hinges, or increased the strike plate's hole you will need to move the strike plate into the proper position in relation to the latch. After you've moved the strike plate and adjusted the latch to a proper position, test the lock to ensure it's functioning correctly. If your latch is still stuck, you can make use of a wood filler to fill any old screw gaps or holes that were created by moving the strike plate or sanding the hinges. You can then paint or stain your frame to complete the repair.
Leaks
Leaky French doors can be a serious problem. They can let water get into your home which can cause wood damage and mold growth. This can lead to costly repairs later on. The good news is that the majority of French door leaks can be easily fixed with a little work and a few basic tools.
One of the primary causes of leaking from French doors is poor weatherproofing. This is due to French doors' unique design, which comprises large areas of tempered glass and a frame. It is essential to regularly check every part of your French doors for signs of wear and tear that could cause leaks. It is essential to ensure that all seals have not changed and are in good shape.
If you notice that your French doors leaking when it rains, it's an ideal idea to conduct a thorough inspection in order to find the source of the leak. Check for any obvious indications of water intrusion like damaged seals around frames and window panes, or rusty threshold sealants. It is also essential to ensure that the threshold is properly sealed and is properly insulated.
A French door may leak when it rains in the event of an obstruction within the lock mechanism. french door repairs york Repair My Windows And Doors is essential to clean the lock with the spray of silicone in the event of this. This will make the lock more lubricated and prevent it from getting stuck. If you have trouble opening the lock, it might be that the key is worn out or damaged and needs to be replaced. Most hardware stores sell keys that can be replaced. If your key is long or is worn out, it might be time to upgrade your lock.