How to Repair French Doors French doors can be a stylish way to connect indoor and outdoor areas. However, they could face issues over time that require immediate attention for both safety and functionality. Warping, sagging and misalignment of the sash and frame of the door are common problems. The majority of these issues can be easily resolved with a little time and effort. Misaligned Locks Sometimes doors are stuck or misaligned due humidity, swelling of the wood or the house sinking. This could cause the strike bolt or lock plate sway, requiring more force to open and close the door. This puts additional strain on the lock, which could result in mangled lock components or even broken locks altogether. This is fortunately an issue that is quite common and can be resolved with simple DIY solutions. In certain situations it is possible that a small amount of lubricant may be all you need to make the door more easy to open and close. It is possible to use graphite as a as a lubricant, but make sure to choose one that is safe for your door. Before applying the lubricant clean the area around the door with an abrasive rag that is damp to remove any debris. A door that hangs off-center can be easily fixed by loosening and adjusting the hinges until they are in line with the frame. However, be careful to avoid over-tightening the screws, as this could cause damage to the door or hinges. If your external French doors aren't closing correctly, it could be a sign that there is a blockage in the lock mechanism. Most often, this is caused by short factory screws that become loose as time passes. To fix this issue, replace the screws with ones that will hold more of the door frames wood. You can also alter the lock, but it will be more complicated and difficult. Start by loosening either the lock knob or handle with flathead screw. Then, you can take off the lock assembly by unscrewing it from its cubbyhole and pulling it out. Check for any obstructions, and then rebuild and tighten the screw connections. If the latch isn't hitting the strike plate it may be necessary to alter or increase the size of the strike plate hole. If the strike plate is higher or lower higher than the latch hole this can prevent the lock closing and will require the assistance of a locksmith. If the hole is small, you can make use of a metal file to enlarge it. Sagging If your doors aren't straight or have gaps, this will reduce the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also block views and cause drafts. Fortunately, there are a few simple fixes that can help resolve these problems. Start by tightening your hinges and aligning them properly. This should take about 10 minutes, and no tools are required. If this isn't enough to solve the issue it is possible to replace the hinges, as they have likely reached the end of their lifespan. Over time the weight of your French door can cause them to loosen. To stop this from happening, tighten the hinges of your door and make sure they are secure. At times, you should lubricate the hinges with a lubricating spray to extend their lifespan. The hinges that are old or damaged can cause a door to bow, so replacing hinges with new ones can aid. A new doorknob, or doors freshly painted can also affect the alignment of your French doors. Other causes of sagging are foundation settlement or wear and tear on the hinges or inadequate modifications to your doors. A door that is sagging can be fixed by adjusting your hinges, tightening the hinge screws, or even replacing the hinges completely. It is also important to check the weather stripping on your doors to ensure that they're functioning properly. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/gloucester-french-door-repairs-near-me/ 're not working, taking them off and replacing them could fix the issue. Also, you should look over your doors' frames for signs of rot or warping. These issues can cause drafts and not only affect the performance of your doors, but they could also cause water leakage as well as other damage around your home. If your doors are sliding and you have tried the two options above, it is likely that you'll have to sand down your door jamb using a hand plane according to Popular Mechanics. To do this, take your doors from their hinges. Lay them flat on something sturdy like a sawhorse. Then, mark the areas that require smoothing out, then use a plane to smooth these areas. Leaks French doors with large glass areas are prone to leaks, especially in an area that experiences heavy rainfall. If left untreated, these leaks could cause the frame of the door to decay and damage the structure surrounding it. It is comparatively easy to fix these leaks, and it should only take a few minutes. Leaks can be caused by a variety of factors, such as 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 a perfect fit, and prevent rainwater from entering your home. Water is leaking from the sill The problem could result from a variety of factors, including the lack of a sillpan or by the use of an unwatertight sill made of metal. watertight. If you notice that water is accumulating around your French door, you should contact the builder to ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill with the wooden sill which will be able to resist water. Obstructions A leaky seal can cause fog to build up between the double panes on French doors. This can obstruct the view and reduce their energy efficiency. The problem can be resolved by replacing the old seal with a fresher one that can block out both moisture and air. Loose Handles A loose handle on your French doors could be dangerous, as it can fall off when you're opening or closing the door. The tightening of the screws on the handle can resolve this issue or you can replace the handle completely if it's damaged or worn out. Similar to a track stop that isn't properly set can prevent doors from sliding in the right way which can cause scratches and jams on frames. This issue can be resolved by putting silicone caulk on tracks or track stops. It's also a good idea to check regularly for cracks and wear on exterior surfaces of the frames and doors to ensure that they are in good shape. Warping A French door offers a lovely view and allows plenty of natural light, but if you're not careful your doors could begin to warp because of exposure to humidity or heat. If this happens, it's worth calling a handyman that specializes in the repair of French doors. They will be able to provide advice on the best method to repair your doors and make sure that they are safe to open and close. If your doors are severely bent, it may be necessary to replace them. If they are only slightly bent, you may be in a position to straighten them by putting wet towels over the affected area. The towels should remain in place for a few days or until the doors are flattened completely. This method is usually used on uPVC doors, but it can also be applied to wood ones - provided the wood is well seasoned. The process is laborious and time-consuming, especially when your doors are distorted. The doors can warp when they are stored improperly. Be sure to keep them away from any building work that produces lots of moisture, like decorating and plastering. They should be kept in a flat place on a firm surface. Another reason for warping is an unfastened strike plate. To remedy this issue, you'll need to remove the doors and place them on two sawhorses. You can then use a hand plane to remove any wood from the top and bottom of each door. It is 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. Once the doors are put back up, you can screw the strike plate back into place. If the lock still doesn't work the barrel catch could be getting caught on the side of the frame. This can usually be fixed by applying silicone spray. If this does not work, you might need to replace the latch.