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How to Repair French Doors

French doors can be a stylish method of connecting indoor and outdoor areas. However, they may face issues over time that require immediate attention to both security and function.

Misalignment, sagging and warping of the door's frame and sash are all common problems. Fortunately, many of these issues can be easily solved with a little time and effort.

Locks that aren't aligned

Sometimes doors become stuck or misaligned because of humidity, wood swelling or the house sinking. This can cause the lock bolt to become loose and make it difficult to open or close the door. This can put extra stress on the lock, which could result in mangled lock components or even broken locks completely. It's an issue that is quite common and is often solved by simple DIY techniques.

In some instances, all that is required is a little lubrication to aid the door in opening and close easily. You can use a graphite lubricant but make sure it's safe for the door. Before applying the lubricant, wipe the area around the door with a damp rag to get rid of any debris.

Another simple way to fix a door that's hanging off the wall is by loosing the hinges and then moving them until they are aligned with the frame of the door. But, you should be careful not to tighten too much the screws since this can damage the door or hinges.

If your exterior French doors aren't closing correctly, it could indicate that there is a blockage in the lock mechanism. Usually, this is caused by short factory screws that become loose as time passes. To fix this issue, replace the screws with longer ones that will hold more of the door frame wood.

You could also try adjusting the lock itself, but this is more difficult and complex. Start by loosening the lock knob or handle with the flat-head screwdriver. Then, you can remove the lock assembly by unscrewing it from its cubbyhole, 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 hit the strike plate, you might need to move the strike plate or enlarge it. If the strike plate is smaller or higher than the hole of the latch, this can prevent the lock closing and require locksmith assistance. If the hole is too small, you can expand it using a file or drill.

Sagging

If your doors are sagging or have gaps, it will decrease the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also create drafts and obstruct your view. Fortunately there are simple solutions that can help resolve these problems.

Begin by tightening the hinges and aligning them properly. This will take about 10 minutes or less and not require any tools. If this isn't enough to fix your problem, you may need to replace glass pane in french door the hinges as they've likely reached the end of their life.

Over time, your French doors can become loose due to the weight. To avoid this, tighten all of the hinges on your door and check them frequently to ensure they are 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 slide and sag, so replacing hinges with new ones can aid. A new doorknob or doors freshly painted can affect the alignment of your replacement french doors near me doors.

Other causes of sagging include foundation settlement, wear and tear on the hinges, or incorrect modifications to your doors. A sagging door can be corrected by adjusting the hinges, tightening the hinge screws or replacing french doors with windows the hinges altogether.

It is also important to examine the weather stripping on your doors and to make sure they're functioning properly. If they're not, removing them and replacing them will fix the issue.

Finally, you should regularly look over the wood on your door frame for indications of rotting or warping. These issues can create drafts, and they will not only reduce the efficiency of your doors, but can also cause water leakage as well as other damage around your house.

If your doors are sliding and you have tried the first two solutions most likely you'll need to remove the door jamb using a hand plane according to Popular Mechanics. To do this, remove the doors from their hinges and lay them flat on a sawhorse or something else that is sturdy. Make a note of the areas that require planning, and then use a hand plane to smooth these areas of the doorjamb.

Leaks

The large areas of replacement glass panels for french doors on French doors make them an ideal source for water 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 surrounding structure. Fortunately, fixing leaks is a relatively simple task that should only take just a few hours to finish.

Leaks can be caused by a number of reasons that include:

A broken seal

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

The sill is leaking water.

This issue can be caused in a number of ways, including the lack of a sillpan or by using a metal sill which is not watertight. If you notice that water is collecting around your French door, you should contact the builder and ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill by the wooden sill which will resist moisture.

Obstructions

A leaky seal could cause fog to build up between the two panes of glass on French doors, which blocks the view and decreases their energy efficiency levels. The issue can be solved by replacing the seal with a fresher one that blocks both air and moisture.

Loose Handles

A loose handle could be dangerous since it can fall while you are closing or opening your French door. This problem can be fixed by tightening the screws, or replacing the handle if it's damaged or worn.

A track stop that's not correctly installed could cause doors to jam and scratch the frames. Adding silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops can aid in solving this issue. Also, you should regularly check the exterior surfaces of frames and doors for wear or cracks, and ensure they are in good working order.

Warping

If you are not careful, your French doors may begin to warp because of exposure to heat or moisture. It is recommended to call a handyman with experience in fixing your French door. They can guide you on the best way to fix your doors and make sure that they're safe to open and close.

If your doors are severely bent, it may be necessary to replace them. If they are just slightly bent, you may be able to straighten them by putting wet towels over the area that is causing problems. The towels should remain in place for a few days or until the doors have been flattened completely.

This method is often used on upvc french door handle replacement doors, but can also be applied to wood doors - provided the wood is well-seasoned. The process is laborious and time-consuming, particularly if your doors are warped.

The doors can warp in the event that they were stored incorrectly. Be sure to keep them away from any construction work that generates a lot of moisture, like decorating and plastering. They should be kept in a flat place, on a solid surface.

Another cause of warping is an unfastened strike plate. To correct this, you must take the doors off and set them up on two sawhorses. The excess wood can be removed from the bottom and top edges of each door using hand planes. It's important to work in small increments so that you don't end up taking too much off the doors, which can cause them to become too thin and brittle.

After the doors have been rehung put the strike plate back in the appropriate position. If the lock isn't working after this the barrel catch could be caught on the other side of the frame. This is usually fixed by lubricating the latch with silicone spray. If this doesn't work, the latch might need to be replaced.