How to Repair French Doors French doors can be a stylish way to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. However, they could face issues over time, which require immediate attention for both safety and practicality. Warping, sagging and misalignment of the door's frame and sash are all common issues. Fortunately, the majority of these issues can be repaired with a bit of time and effort. Locks that are not aligned Some doors can become stuck or misaligned due to humidity and wood swelling or settling. This could cause the strike or lock bolt plate sit askew, requiring more force to open and close the door. This could put additional stress on the locks, which can eventually lead to broken locks or mangled components. This is a common problem that can be resolved through DIY solutions. In certain situations all that is needed is a little lubrication to help the door open and close with ease. You can apply graphite lubricant, but be careful to select one that is safe for your door. Make sure you clean the area with a moist cloth to eliminate any dirt from the door prior to applying the lubricant. A door that is hanging off-center can be repaired by loosening and adjusting the hinges until they are in line with the frame. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/birmingham-french-door-repairs-near-me/ should be cautious not to over-tighten the screws, as this could damage the hinges or the door. If your external French door isn't closing correctly it could be a sign that there are obstructions in the lock mechanism. This usually happens due to short screws that came from the factory that have become loose over time. To fix this, replace the screws with longer ones that grab more of the door frame wood. You can also adjust the lock, however it's more complex and difficult. Start by loosening the knob of the lock or handle using the flat-head screwdriver. Then, you can remove the lock from its cubbyhole by removing it and taking it out. Check for obstructions, then reassemble it and make sure that all screw connections are tightened. If the latch doesn't hit the strike plate, you might have to move the strike plate or increase it. If the strike plate is smaller or higher than the latch hole this can prevent the lock closing and require a locksmith. If the hole is too small, you can enlarge it with a metal file or drill. Sagging If your doors are sagging or have gaps between them, it can affect the insulating properties of your house and decrease the efficiency of its energy use. These gaps can also block views and create drafts. Fortunately, there are a few simple fixes that can solve these problems. Start by tightening your hinges and aligning them properly. This should take 10 minutes or less and not require any tools. If this does nothing to fix the issue then you'll need to replace your hinges. They are likely to be nearing the end of their lifecycle. Over time, the weight of your French door could cause them to become slack. To avoid this make sure you tighten all the hinges on your door and inspect them frequently to ensure that they're still secure. You can also keep your hinges lubricated with a spray of lubricant to extend their lifespan. Replace damaged or old hinges to stop a door from sliding. A new doorknob or freshly painted doors can also impact the alignment of your French door. Other causes of sagging are foundation settlement, wear on the hinges or the wrong modifications to your doors. A door that is sagging could be fixed by adjusting the hinges or tightening the hinge screws, or even replacing the hinges completely. It is also essential to examine the weather stripping on your doors and to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If they're not working you can take them off and replace them. Also, you should examine your frames for indications of warping or rot. These problems can lead to a draft, which will decrease the effectiveness of your door. They can also lead to water leakage and other damage around your home. If your doors are sagging and you've tried the two options above, it is likely that you'll have to remove the door jamb using a hand plane, advises Popular Mechanics. To do this, unhook your doors from the hinges. Lay them flat on something sturdy like a sawhorse. Make a note of the areas that require planning, and then use a hand plane to smooth out these areas of the doorjamb. Leaks The large glass areas on French doors can be a frequent source of water leaks, particularly in an area that experiences significant rainfall. If left untreated, these leaks could cause the frame of the door to rot and the structure surrounding it. It is fairly simple to repair these leaks and should only take just a few minutes. Leaks can be caused by many factors, including A broken seal Replace the rubber seals on both sides of your threshold with new ones. This will ensure a perfect fit, which will prevent rainwater from entering your home. The sill is leaking water. This problem can be caused by a number of reasons, such as a lack of a sill pan or by the use of a sill made of steel that isn't watertight. If you notice that water is accumulating around your French door, call the builder to ask them to install sill pans or replace the steel sill by the wooden sill which will keep out water. Obstructions A damaged seal can result in fog accumulating between the double panes of glass on French doors, which obstructs the view and decreases their energy efficiency. This can be fixed by replacing the existing seal with a fresh one that is able to block out air and moisture. Loose Handles A handle that is loose on your French doors can be dangerous, since it can fall off when you're opening or closing the door. This problem can be fixed by tightening screws or replacing the handle if damaged or worn. Similar to a track stop that's not correctly set can block doors from sliding in the right way, leading to scratches and jams on the frames. Adding some silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops could help with this issue. It's also an excellent idea to check regularly for cracks and wear on exterior surfaces of doors and frames to ensure that they are in top condition. Warping If you're not cautious, your French doors could start warping because of exposure to heat or moisture. It's a good idea to contact an experienced handyman with experience repairing French doors. They will be able to advise you on the best method of repairing your doors and make sure that they are safe to open and close. If your doors are severely damaged, you may need to replace them completely. If they are only slightly warped, you may be able to straighten them by placing damp towels over the problem area. Place the towels on the doors for several days, or even longer, until they're completely flattened. This method can be used to repair uPVC or wood doors, provided that the wood is well-seasoned. It is important to remember that the process is time-consuming and difficult to achieve particularly in the case of doors that are extremely bent. The doors could warp when they are stored incorrectly. They should be kept away from construction work that generates a lot of humidity like decorating or plastering work. They should also be kept flat on a solid surface and not stacked, particularly in their unfinished state. A loose strike plate can also cause warping. To fix the problem, you will need to take the doors off and put them on a pair sawhorses. The excess wood can be removed from the bottom and top edges of each door using hand planes. It is best to work in small increments to avoid removing too much wood from the doors. This could cause them to become thin and fragile. After the doors have been fixed, you can put the strike plate back into place. If the lock does not work, the barrel catch may be getting caught on the side of the frame. This is usually solved by lubricating and lubricating the latch with silicone spray. If that doesn't work the latch, it may require replacement.