How to Fix Common French Door Repair Problems French doors can add a touch of sophistication to your home. They're also an excellent choice for homes built in the past. They're also easy to maintain. You should clean them regularly with mild soap. Like any door, they can get damaged over time. There are many ways to fix these doors. Broken or cracked window A cracked or broken window isn't just ugly but it also affects the security and insulation of your home. It is impossible to stop the crack from extending for a long time, but you can slow the process by making a few quick and simple fixes. First, make sure to wear safety glasses and gloves when working with glass as it is very easy to break glass shards when you're not careful. To remove dirt and debris, use a moist cloth to clean the area surrounding the crack. This will ensure that the adhesive that you're using to fix the crack is held properly and doesn't leak or cause further damage. Then, you must decide if you want to go the temporary route and use tape or plastic film, or if you prefer to try a more permanent solution that lasts longer. If you choose to go with the latter option, be sure you use a glass glue designed specifically for glass and windows like Loctite's Super Glue Glass. This glue has a strong hold and can be applied to the exterior or interior of your glass windows which makes it ideal for quick repairs. A clear nail polish can also be used to temporarily fill cracks. This is especially useful for stress cracks that form when temperatures change dramatically from hot to cold. Remember, however, that nail polish was not designed to withstand water so it won't last forever. You can also cover the windows with a plastic film which will shield them from bugs, rain and winds. Sagging Hinges A door that is sagging can be a source of irritation and affect the stability of your home. Fortunately, the issue is usually easy to fix. If your door is beginning to move, it's crucial to fix the issue as soon as you notice it. Otherwise, minor problems can become more serious, such as squeaks or other more serious misalignments. Begin by inspecting the hinges to determine what's causing the problem. Most often loose screws are the cause. If tightening screws doesn't resolve the sagging, replacing them with longer screws may aid. The longer screws will help assist in supporting the weight of your door and prevent it from sagging. You may also have to add shims to adjust the hinge's position. These thin strips of material can be inserted between the hinge and the frame or jamb, spreading the weight of the door evenly and preventing sagging in the future. Use a doorstop, or have someone else hold the door in place while you remove the screws from the damaged hinge, and then carefully lift the door off the hinges. It is important to recognize that a door that is sagging can sometimes be caused by uneven floor levels. This can cause you to check the floor for any issues and fix the issues, which can help solve the problem of sagging without focussing on the door. The door's sagging may be caused by the condition of hinge components like the pin or the knuckle. In this case you'll have to replace your hinges. This is an intimidating task for homeowners who lack experience in carpentry. In certain cases the hinges of your door are sagging. This could be a sign that the structure of the door is too heavy for its frame or jamb. Misaligned Doors Doors that aren't aligned properly may cause them to bow, scratch against the frame, or be difficult to latch. A misaligned or sagging door can be annoying, but it can also contribute to energy loss and squeaky, scratchy sounds in your home. There are a variety of simple ways to address this issue without having to call in an expert. If the gap around your doors is uneven, it could indicate that the hinges need to be tightened. If the gap isn't too large, it could be that your door frame has settled or moved over time. In this scenario you can use shims to reset the frame. A high humidity in the air is another common reason for misalignment. This could cause the wood to expand and cause doors to shut properly. This isn't a long-term problem and usually goes away when the humidity decreases. Many people notice that their doors are not aligned after a rainstorm however the solution is simple: simply tighten the hinge screws to correct the alignment. If this doesn't work, you can make use of longer screws to fix your hinges. This will give them more support and will stop the hinges from becoming loose in the future. A misaligned strikeplate is another potential problem. The strike plate needs to be relocated lower to make space for the latch. This is also an easy fix, but you will have to remove the current strike plate and make new holes for it. You can then make use of a dowel made of wood that's the same diameter as the screw hole to fill in the old holes, and then fix the strike plate in its new location. Broken Latch If the latch fails to retract when you operate the handle or manually push it, it's a sign that something in the mechanism's internals is broken. You can identify the cause of the failure by checking the location of the latch's contacts placed. The lipstick test can be used to determine if the problem is due to sagging hinges or a misaligned bolt for the latch. It will also reveal the cause of the problem if it's a combination of issues, such as hinges that are not aligned properly and a small strike plate. To test the lipstick apply an area of lipstick (or similar marking material) on the latch. Close and then open the latch. If the latch is in contact with either the lipstick below or above the strike plate this indicates that the latch and strike plate aren't in contact. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/french-doors-birmingham/ is to grease your latch. WD-40 and other dry lubricants do not work as well as a graphite pencil. You can also employ a cotton swab to remove any dirt from the keyhole. If lubricating the latch doesn't solve the issue, it could be necessary to reposition the strikeplate. If you've shimmied or made sanding, or increased the size of the strike plate's hinges or holes, you will need move the strike plate to the proper position relative to the lock. Once you have moved the strike plate and adjusted the latch to the correct position, check the latch to ensure it's functioning correctly. If the latch is stuck, you can make use of a wood filler to repair any holes or gaps caused by moving the strike plate or sanding the hinges. Then you can paint or stain the frame to complete the repair. Leaks Leaky French doors can cause serious problem. Water can seep through the French doors and cause damage to the wood or growth of mold. This could result in costly repair bills in the future. The good news is that the majority of French door leaks can be repaired with a little effort and a few tools. Poor weatherproofing is one of the main reasons for leaks from French doors. This is due to French doors distinctive design, which comprises large areas of tempered glass and frames. It is essential to regularly check every part of your French doors for signs of wear and tear that could cause leaks. It is also essential to make sure that the seals are in good shape and haven't deteriorated over time. If you find that your French doors leaking when it rains, it's recommended to conduct an extensive inspection to determine the cause of the leak. Look for visible evidence of water intrusion such as damaged seals on window frames or around windows. Also the presence of rusty threshold sealants could be a sign. It's also crucial to verify that the threshold is sealed and insulated. A French door may leak during rain if there is an obstruction within the lock mechanism. If this is the case, you will have to wash the lock using an oil spray of silicone. This will lubricate the lock and help keep it from getting stuck. If you have trouble opening the lock, it might be because the key is worn or damaged and needs to be replaced. Most hardware stores offer replacement keys. If your key is long or is worn out, it could be the right time to replace it with a new lock.