Responsible For An French Door Repair Budget? 12 Tips On How To Spend Your Money
How to Fix Common French Door Repair Problems
French doors can bring a touch of class to your home. They are also perfect for homes with a period.
Additionally, they're easy to maintain. It is recommended to clean them frequently using a mild soap.
However, they can be damaged over time just like any other door. Fortunately, there are many ways to repair them.
Broken or damaged window
A cracked or broken window isn't just ugly it also compromises the security and insulation of your home. Although it's impossible to stop the spread of a crack however, you can slow it down with some simple and quick fixes.
The first step is to wear protective glasses and gloves when working with glass, as it is very easy to break glass shards when you're not careful. To get rid of dirt and other debris, use a moist cloth to clean the area around the crack. This will ensure that the adhesive that you're 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 such as tape or plastic film, to cover the hole, or if a more permanent solution is what you'd prefer. If you choose to choose the latter option, be sure to use a glass glue that is specifically designed for glass and windows, like Loctite's Super Glue Glass. This glue has a strong hold and can be used on the exterior or interior of your glass windows making it ideal for quick fixes.
Another temporary option is to apply a clear nail polish to fill the crack. This is particularly effective for stress cracks that occur when there's a dramatic temperature change from cold to hot or vice versa. Be aware that nail polish was not designed to stand up against water, so it will not last forever. Lastly, you can also cover your windows with an opaque plastic sheet that will shield the glass and help keep out wind, rain bugs and other pests.
Sagging Hinges
A door that isn't in good shape can be a source of displeasure and can affect the overall stability of your home. Luckily, the problem is usually fixable. It is crucial to address the issue as soon as your door begins to move. Small issues can turn into serious, like squeaks and other misalignments.
Start by examining the hinges to find out the root of the issue. Screws that are loose are usually the reason. If tightening the screws doesn't solve the problem, replacing them with longer screws could aid. Longer screws can help support the door's weight and stop it from sagging over time.
You may also have to introduce shims to fine-tune the hinge's location. Thin strips of material can fit between the hinge and the jamb or frame, distributing the door's weight evenly and preventing any future sagging. Use a doorstop, or have someone 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 keep in mind that an uneven floor can cause a door to sag. This knowledge can lead you to look at the floor and address any issues, which could aid in resolving the issue without focusing on the door itself. The sagging of the door may be caused by the condition of hinge components such as the knuckle or the pin. If this is the case, you'll need to replace the hinges, a job that isn't easy for homeowners without significant carpentry expertise. In certain cases, sagging door hinges may be a sign that the structure of the door is too heavy for its frame or jamb.
Doors that aren't aligned
If your doors are sagging and scraping against the frame or difficult to latch, they may be misaligned. A misaligned or sagging door can be a nuisance, but it can also contribute to energy loss and squeaky, scratchy sounds in your home. There are several easy ways to fix the problem without calling a professional.
If the gap that surrounds your doors is uneven, it could indicate that the hinges must be tightened. If, however, the gap isn't excessive, it might be due to your door frame shifting or settling over time. In this case it is possible to use shims to reset the frame.
A high humidity in the air is a common cause of misalignment. This can make wood swell and cause doors to stick. However, this isn't a long-term issue and usually disappears when humidity decreases.
Many people find that their doors are not aligned following a storm however the solution is simple: simply tighten the hinge screws to fix the alignment. If this isn't working, you can use longer screws to fix your hinges. This will give the hinges more support and stop them from falling off again.
Another possibility is an unaligned strike plate. Typically, the strike plate must be moved lower to allow for more space for the latch. This is a simple fix, but you will have to take off the existing strike plate and make new holes for it. Then, french door handle repairs can make use of a dowel made of wood that's exactly the same size as the screw hole to fill in the old holes, and then fix the strike plate to the new position.
Broken Latch
If the latch fails to retract when you operate the handle or manually push it, it's most likely that something within the mechanism's internals is broken. You can identify the cause of the problem by examining where the latch contacts are located. A lipstick test can help determine if the issue caused by sagging hinges or a misaligned latch bolts, a small strike plate hole, or a combination of these issues. To test the lipstick apply the strip of lipstick (or similar marking material) on the latch. Close and then open the latch. If the latch touches either the lipstick below or the lipstick above the strike plate this means that the latch and the strike plate are not in contact.
The best way to fix this is to lubricate the latch. WD-40 and other dry lubricants don't perform as well as graphite pencil. You can also use a cotton swab to remove any dirt from the keyhole.
If lubricating the latch does not solve the problem, it may be necessary to reposition the strikeplate. If you've sanded or shimmied the hinges or widened the strike plate's hole you will need to move the strike plate to the proper position in relation to the latch. Test the lock after having adjusted the latch and moved the strike plate to the correct position. If the latch is not working you can use a wood filler to fill in any holes or gaps caused by moving the strikeplate or sanding hinges. Then, you can paint or stain the frame to complete the repair.
Leaks
A serious problem can arise from French doors that leak. They could allow water to seep into the home which can cause wood damage and mold growth. This could result in costly repair bills down the road. The good news is that most French door leaks can be easily repaired with just a bit of effort and the use of a few basic tools.
One of the main reasons for leaks from French doors is poor weatherproofing. This is due to the unique design of French doors, which are made up of large areas of glass and frames. It is important to inspect your French doors regularly for signs of wear that could lead to leaks. It is also essential to ensure that the seals are in good condition and have not changed over time.
If you notice your French doors leak during rain, it's recommended to conduct an extensive inspection to determine the cause of the leak. Examine for any visible evidence of water penetration like damaged seals around frames and window panes, or rusty threshold sealants. It's also crucial to verify that the threshold is sealed and is properly insulated.
A French door may leak during rain when there is a blockage within the lock mechanism. If this is the case, you will have to clean the lock using an oil spray of silicone. This will lubricate and stop 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 sell keys that can be replaced. If your key is short or has become worn out, it could be the right time to replace it with a new lock.