How to Fix Common French Door Repair Problems French doors can bring an air of sophistication to any home. They're also an excellent choice for homes built in the past. They're also easy to maintain. It is recommended to clean them frequently using a mild soap. However, like any door they are prone to being damaged over time. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix them. Broken or damaged window A broken or cracked glass window is not just ugly, but also compromises your home's security and insulation. It is impossible to stop the crack from extending for a long time however, you can slow down the process with a few simple and quick solutions. Wear safety glasses and gloves while working with glass. It's easy to break glass shards when you're not careful. To get rid of dirt and other debris, use a moist cloth to scrub the area around the crack. This will ensure that the glue you use to fix the crack is held properly and doesn't leak or cause further damage. Then, consider whether you'd prefer to go with the temporary route and utilize tape or plastic film, or if you want to try a more permanent solution that lasts longer. If you decide to choose the latter option, be sure to use glass glue designed for glass and windows, such as Loctite’s Super Glue Glass. It is durable and can be used on the outside or inside of your glass windows and. It's great for quick repairs. Another option for temporary relief is to apply a clear nail polish to fill the crack. This can be particularly effective for stress cracks that occur when there's a sudden temperature change from hot to cold or in reverse. Be aware that nail polish wasn't designed to withstand water so it won't last for long. Lastly, you can also protect your windows by putting up an opaque plastic sheet that will protect the glass and keep out wind, rain, bugs and other pests. Sagging Hinges A door that is sagging can be a source of irritation and can affect the stability of your home. Fortunately, the majority times, it's simple to correct. If your door is beginning to move, it's crucial to fix the issue right away. Otherwise, minor problems can turn into more serious issues like squeaks, or other serious misalignments. Begin by looking over the hinges. The loose screws are often the cause. If tightening screws do not fix the issue of sagging, replacing them with screws that are longer might aid. Longer screws can help support the weight of the door and prevent it from sagging over time. You may also need to add shims to adjust the position of the hinge. These thin strips of metal can fit between the hinge and frame or jamb, distributing the door's weight evenly and preventing future sagging. Use a door stopper or a person to hold it in place while you remove screws from the hinge. Then, you can carefully lift the doors off the hinges. It's important to note that a sagging door could be due to uneven floor levels. This could lead you to examine the floor for any problems and fix them, which will allow you to resolve the issue of sagging without focusing on the door. In some instances, the sagging may be due to the condition of the hinge components, like the knuckle or pin. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the hinges, a job which can be a challenge for those who don't have a lot of carpentry skills. In some cases the hinges of your door are sagging. This could also mean that the construction of the door is too heavy for its frame or jamb. Doors that are not aligned If your doors are sagging and scraping against the frame or difficult to latch, they may be misaligned. A sagging or misaligned door is a source of frustration, but it can also contribute to energy loss and squeaky, scratchy noises in your home. There are several easy solutions to the issue without contacting an expert. If the gap around the door is uneven, the hinges may require tightening. If the gap is not excessive it could be because the frame of your door has moved or settled over time. In this scenario it is possible to use shims to reset the frame. Another reason that causes misalignment is the presence of moisture in the air. This could cause the wood to swell and cause doors to shut properly. However, this is not a long-term issue and usually is resolved when humidity decreases. Many people find that their doors are misaligned after a rainstorm The solution is quite simple: simply tighten the hinge screws to correct the alignment. If this does not work, you could make use of longer screws to fix your hinges. This will give them more support and prevent the hinges from becoming loose in the near future. Another issue that could be a problem is an incorrectly aligned strike plate. The strike plate will need to be moved lower to make space for the latch. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/maidstone-french-door-repairs-near-me/ is also a simple fix, but you will have to take off the existing strike plate and drill 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 holes, and then fix the strike plate to its new location. Broken Latch If the latch doesn't retract when you manually push it or turn the handle, then it is likely that the internal mechanism is broken. The location of the latch's contact can help you determine the reason for it to fail. The test for lipstick can be used to determine if the problem originates from sagging hinges, or a misaligned bolt for the latch. It can also help identify if it is a combination of issues, like hinges that are not aligned properly and a small strike plate. To perform the test apply a strip of lipstick (or another marking material) over 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 means that the latch and the strike plate aren't in contact. The best solution is to grease your latch. Lubrication can be accomplished using graphite pens, which works better than WD-40 or other dry oil lubricants. You can also try putting an unwrapped cotton swab into the keyhole to clean out any dirt that has built up in the keyhole. If lubricating the latch does not solve the issue it may be necessary to reposition the strike plate. If you've shimmied or made sanding, or increased the size of the strike plate's hinges or holes and hinges, you'll need to move the strike plate to the proper position relative to the lock. Once you have moved the strike plate and adjusted the latch to a proper position, check the latch to make sure it's functioning correctly. If your latch is still not working you can use a wood filler to fill any old gap or screw holes that were created by moving the strike plate or sanding hinges. Then you can stain or paint the frame to complete the repair. Leaks Leaky French doors can pose a serious issue. Water can get inside the French doors and cause wood damage or mold growth. This can lead to expensive repair bills in the future. The good news is, most French door leaks can be fixed with a little work and some basic tools. Poor weatherproofing is among the main causes of leakage from French doors. This is due to the unique design of French doors, which are made up of large glass areas and a frame. It is essential to check your French doors on a regular basis for signs of wear, which could lead to leaks. It's important to check whether all seals haven't deteriorated and are in good shape. If you notice that your French doors leak when it rains, it's a good idea to conduct a thorough inspection to determine the source of the leak. Examine for any visible evidence of water penetration for example, damaged seals around frames and window panes or damaged threshold sealants. It's also important to check that the threshold is properly sealed and sealed and insulated. A French door can leak when it rains when there is a blockage within the lock mechanism. If this is the case, you'll have to wash the lock with an oil spray of silicone. This will allow the lock to be lubricated and prevent the lock from getting stuck. If you have trouble opening the lock, it could be that the key is worn or damaged and will need to be replaced. The majority of hardware stores offer keys to replace. If your key is too short or worn out, it might be the right time to replace it with a new lock.