How to Fix Common French Door Repair Problems French doors can give an air of class to any home. They're also a great fit for homes built in the past. They're also easy to maintain. It is recommended to clean them regularly, using an mild soap solution. However, they are susceptible to being damaged over time like any other door. There are a variety of methods to repair these doors. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/oldham-french-door-repairs-near-me/ or Cracked Window A window that is damaged or cracked does more than just look ugly, it compromises the security and insulation of your home. It is impossible to stop the crack from growing for ever, but you can slow down the process with a few simple and quick solutions. Wear safety glasses and gloves when working with glass. It's easy to break glass shards if not cautious. Next take the time to thoroughly clean the area around the crack with a the help of a damp cloth to eliminate any dirt or debris. This will ensure that the glue you are using to fix the crack is held properly and doesn't leak out or cause further damage. Decide if you'd like to make use of a temporary solution like tape or film, to cover the hole or if a permanent solution is what you'd prefer. If you opt for the latter option, make sure to purchase a glass glue designed for windows and glass, like Loctite's Super Glue Glass. It has a sturdy hold and can be used on the inside or outside of your glass windows which makes it ideal for quick fixes. Another option for temporary relief is to apply a clear nail polish to fill in the crack, which can be particularly effective in stress cracks that develop when there's a sudden temperature change from cold to hot or reverse. Be aware that nail polish wasn't created to withstand moisture, which means it will not last for a long period of time. You can also protect the windows with a plastic film, that will protect them from bugs, rain and winds. Sagging Hinges A sagging door can be an eyesore and can also impact the stability of your home. Fortunately, the majority times, it's easy to fix. It is crucial to address the issue as soon as your door starts to sag. In the event that it is not addressed, small issues could turn into more serious issues like squeaks, or other serious misalignments. Begin by inspecting the hinges to determine the root of the issue. Loose screws are often the cause. If tightening screws doesn't resolve the sagging replacement of the screws with longer ones could help. Longer screws can support the weight of your door and keep it from sagging. You might also need to use shims in order to refine the hinge's location. These thin strips of metal can be inserted between the hinge and jamb or frame, distributing the weight of the door evenly and preventing sagging in the future. Use a doorstop or have someone else hold the door while you remove the screws from the damaged hinge, and then carefully lift the door off of the hinges. It is important to recognize that a door that is creaking could be due to an uneven floor. This can lead you to check the floor for any issues and correct them, which will allow you to solve the problem of sagging without looking at the door itself. In some cases, the sagging may be due to the condition of the hinges, for instance the pin or knuckle. If this is the scenario, you'll have to replace the hinges, a task that can be difficult for homeowners without significant carpentry expertise. In certain cases the sagging hinges could be a sign that the door's construction is too heavy for the frame or jamb. Doors that aren't aligned If your doors are sagging or scraping against the frame or difficult to latch, they may be incorrectly aligned. A misaligned or sagging door is a source of frustration, but it can also cause energy waste and squeaky, scratchy sounds in your home. There are several easy solutions to the issue without contacting an expert. If the gap around your doors is uneven, it could mean that the hinges must be tightened. If the gap is not excessive, it might be due to your door's frame shifting or settling with time. In this case you can use shims to adjust the frame. Another reason that causes misalignment is the presence of humidity in the air. This could cause the wood to expand and cause your doors not to shut properly. This isn't a permanent issue and usually disappears as soon as the humidity drops. Many people are aware that their doors are misaligned following a storm, but the solution is simple: simply tighten the hinge screws to correct the alignment. This will usually solve the problem, but if it doesn't you should consider using a longer screw for your hinges. This will give them more strength and stop the hinges from loosening again in the near future. Another issue that could be a problem is an incorrectly aligned strike plate. The strike plate is typically moved lower to allow room for the latch. This is a simple fix, however, you must take off the old strike plate and drill holes for it. Then, you can make use of a dowel made of wood that's similar in diameter to the screw hole to fill in the holes, and then fix the strike plate in its new location. Broken Latch If the latch doesn't retract when you push it manually or turn the handle, then it is likely that the internal mechanism is broken. The location of the latch's contact will help you identify the reason for it to fail. A lipstick test can help you identify if the problem is caused by sagging hinges, misaligned latch bolts, a narrow strike plate holes or a combination of issues. To perform the lipstick test put a strip of lipstick (or similar marking material) on the latch. Close and open the latch. If the latch touches either the lipstick below or the lipstick above the strike plate, this indicates that the latch and strike plate are not in contact. The best way to fix this is to grease the latch. WD-40 and other dry lubricants do not perform as well as graphite pencil. You can also use a cotton swab to remove any dirt from the keyhole. If lubricating your latch doesn't solve the problem, it may be necessary to move the strikeplate. If you've shimmied, sanded, or enlarged your strike plate's hinges or hole to the point that you need to move the strikeplate to the correct position in relation to the lock. Check the latch after you've adjusted the latch and moved the strike plate to the correct position. If your latch remains stuck it is possible to make use of a wood filler to make holes or gaps that were caused by moving the strike plate or sanding the hinges. Then you can stain or paint the frame to complete the repair. Leaks A serious issue can result from French doors that leak. Water can leak through French doors and cause mold or wood damage. This can lead to expensive repair costs in the future. The good news is, the majority of French door leaks are easily repaired with a bit of effort and a few tools. Inadequate weatherproofing is among the most frequent causes of leaks from French doors. This is due to the unique design of French doors, which consist of large areas of glass and a frame. It is essential to check your French doors regularly for signs of wear, which could lead to leaks. It is also essential to make sure that all seals are in good condition and have not changed over time. If you find that your French doors leaking when it rains, it's an ideal idea to conduct an in-depth inspection to determine the cause of the leak. Check for any obvious signs of water ingress, such as damaged seals around frames and window panes, or rusty threshold sealants. It's also important to check that the threshold is sealed and insulated. A French door may leak during rain if there is an obstruction within the lock mechanism. It is necessary to clean the lock with a silicone spray if this is the situation. This will help lubricate the lock and stop the lock from becoming stuck. If you are having trouble opening the lock it could be because the key is worn out or damaged. It's going to need to be replaced. Hardware stores typically offer replacement keys. If you have a key that is too short or worn, it may be time to have an entirely new lock installed.