How to Repair French Doors

French doors are a beautiful addition to any home, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. They are susceptible to problems with time, requiring immediate attention for security and function.

Common problems include problems with alignment, sagging, and warping of the door's frame and sash. Fortunately, the majority of these issues can be easily solved with a little time and effort.

Locks that aren't aligned

Sometimes doors get stuck or misaligned because of humidity, swelling of the wood or the house shifting. This can cause the bolt for the lock to become loose and making it more difficult to open or close the door. This could put additional strain on the locks, which could eventually result in broken locks or mangled inner components. This is fortunately a common problem that can often be solved with simple DIY techniques.

In certain situations, all that is required is a little lubrication to help the door open and close easily. You can apply graphite as a lubricant, but make sure to select one that is safe for your door. Before applying the lubricant wipe the area around the door with an abrasive rag that is damp to remove any obstructions.

Another simple way to fix a door hanging out of alignment is to loosen the hinges and then adjusting them until they are in line with the door's frame. But, you should 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 blockage in the lock mechanism. This is typically caused by short screws from the factory that have become loose over time. To fix this, simply replace the screws with ones that will hold more of the door frames wood.

You can also adjust the lock, but it's more complicated and difficult. Begin by loosening the knob or handle using the flat-head screwdriver. Then, you can remove the lock from its cubbyhole, by unscrewing and pulling it out. Look for obstructions, and then reassemble the lock and make sure that all screw connections are tightened.

If the latch doesn't hit the strike plate, you may have to move the strike plate or expand it. If the strike plate is higher or higher than the latch hole it can stop the lock from closing, and require a locksmith professional. If the hole is tiny 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 house and decrease the efficiency of its energy use. These gaps can also cause drafts and block your view. Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions to help solve these problems.

Begin by tightening the hinges and aligning them properly. This should take about 10 minutes, and no tools are required. If this doesn't fix the problem then you'll need to replace your hinges. They're likely to be to be at the end of their lifecycle.

Over time over time, your French doors can loosen due to the weight. To prevent this from happening ensure that the hinges are secured 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.

replace sliding patio door with french doors cost hinges that are damaged or worn out to prevent a door from sagging. A new doorknob or doors that have been freshly painted, could also alter the sloping of your french doors glass replacement doors.

Other causes of sagging include foundation settlement, wear on the hinges or the wrong changes made to your doors. A sagging door can be corrected by adjusting the hinges or tightening the hinge screws, or replacing the hinges altogether.

It is also essential to inspect the weather stripping on your doors to make sure that they are functioning correctly. If they're not functioning you can take them off and replace them.

Lastly, you should occasionally look over the wood on the door frame for signs of warping or rotting. These problems can lead to a draft, which will make it harder to use your door. They can also lead to water leakage or other problems around your home.

Popular Mechanics advises that if your doors are sagging and you've tried the first two alternatives, you might have to sand your door jambs with a handplane. To do this, take the doors from the hinges and lay them flat on a sawhorse, or other sturdy object. Then, mark the areas that require smoothing, then use a plane to smooth these areas.

Leaks

French doors with large glass areas are prone to leaks, particularly when you live in a region that receives heavy rainfall. Left untreated the leaks could lead to the frame of the door to rot and the structure surrounding it. It is relatively easy to fix these leaks and will only take you only a few minutes.

Leaks can be caused by a variety of causes which include:

A broken seal

Replace the rubber seals on both sides of your threshold with new seals. This will ensure a tight fit, and will also stop rainwater from getting into your home.

The sill is leaking water.

This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of a sillpan or the use of a metal sill that isn't watertight. If you notice that water is collecting around your French door, contact the builder and ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill by a wooden sill that will resist moisture.

Obstructions

A damaged seal could cause fog to accumulate between the double panes on French doors. This can obstruct the view and reduce their energy efficiency. This can be fixed by replacing the seal with one that can keep out moisture and air.

Loose Handles

A loose handle could be dangerous since it could fall while you're opening or closing your French door. The tightening of the screws on the handle can resolve this issue or you can replace the handle completely in the event that it's damaged or worn out.

A track stop that isn't correctly installed could cause doors to jam and scratch the frames. This issue can be resolved by applying silicone caulk to track stops or tracks. It's also an excellent idea to check for cracks regularly and wear on exterior surfaces of doors and frames to ensure that they are in good condition.

Warping

If you're not careful If you're not careful, your french door glass replacement doors may begin to warp due to exposure to moisture or heat. If this happens, it's worth calling a handyman who specialises in the repair of French doors. They can advise you on the most effective method to repair your doors, and also ensure that they're safe to shut and open.

If your doors are severely bent, you may need to replace them. If they're only slightly bent, you may be in a position to straighten them by placing damp towels over the area that is causing problems. The towels should remain on the door for a few days or even longer until they are completely flattened.

This technique is typically employed on uPVC doors, but it could also be applied to wood ones - provided the wood is well seasoned. It's important to note that the process is time-consuming and is difficult to achieve especially if the doors are very damaged.

If the doors were stored incorrectly, this can be a cause of stretching. Avoid them from building work that produces a lot of moisture, such as plastering and decorating. They should also be stored flat on a smooth surface and not stacked, especially in their unfinished state.

Another cause of warping is the strike plate being loose. To correct the issue you'll need to take the doors off and put them on a pair sawhorses. The wood that is left over can be removed from the edges at the top and bottom of each door using hand planes. It is recommended to work in smaller increments to avoid taking too much wood from the doors. This could cause them to become too thin and fragile.

After the doors have been rehung fix the strike plate into the appropriate position. 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 doesn't work the latch, it may require replacement.