How to Repair French Doors
French doors are a beautiful method of connecting indoor and outdoor areas. However, they can experience problems over time that require immediate attention for both security and function.
Warping, sagging and misalignment of the sash and frame of the door are all common issues. Fortunately, many of these issues can be easily solved with a little time and effort.
Locks that are not aligned
Some doors can be slack or awry due to humidity or wood swelling, or house settle. This can cause the bolt for the lock to be awry, making it harder to open or close the door. This can put extra stress on the lock, which can result in mangled lock components or even broken locks altogether. It's a common problem that can be resolved with simple DIY techniques.
In some cases, all that is required is a bit of lubrication to allow the door to open and close with ease. It is possible to use graphite as a as a lubricant, but make sure to choose a product that is safe for your door. Make sure you clean the area with a moist cloth to clean any debris from around the door before you apply the oil.
Another simple way to fix a door that's hanging askew is by loosening the hinges and then moving them until they are level with the frame of the door. But, you should be careful not to tighten too much the screws as this can damage the hinges or door.
If your exterior French door isn't closing correctly, it could be a sign there is a blockage in the lock mechanism. This usually happens due to short screws that came from the factory that have come loose over time. Replace the screws with longer ones to pull more wood from the door frames.
You can also adjust the lock, but it will be more complex and difficult. Start by loosening the knob of the lock or handle using a flat-head screwdriver. After that, you can remove the lock assembly by uncrewing it from its cubbyhole, and pulling it out. Check for obstructions, then reassemble it, and tighten all screw connections.
If the latch does not hit the strike plate, you might need to move the strike plate or increase it. If the strike plate is either higher or higher than the latch hole, this can prevent the lock from closing and require a locksmith professional. If the hole is small you can make use of a metal file to make it larger.
Sagging
If your doors sag or have gaps, this will decrease the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also create drafts that block your view. There are some simple fixes to address these issues.
Begin by tightening the hinges and aligning them properly. This should take only 10 minutes, and no tools are required. If this does not solve the issue then you may have to replace the hinges as they have likely reached the end of their lifespan.
Over time, your French doors may become loose due to the weight. To avoid this, tighten all of the hinges on your door and inspect them regularly to ensure they're still secure. You can also lubricate your hinges periodically with a lubricating spritz to extend their lifespan.
Old or damaged hinges can cause a door to sag replacing hinges with new ones could help. A new doorknob or freshly painted doors, could also alter the sloping of your French doors.
Other causes of sagging include 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 and tightening the hinge screws or even replacing the hinges entirely.
Also, it is important to examine the weather stripping on your doors and to ensure that they're working properly. If they are not, removing them and replacing them could fix the issue.
You should also look over your door frames for indications of warping or rot. These issues can lead to drafts, which can decrease the effectiveness of your door. They can also lead to water leakage or damages to your home.
If your doors are sagging and you've tried the first two solutions, it is likely that you'll need to remove the door jamb using a hand plane as recommended by Popular Mechanics. To do this, unhook your doors from the hinges. Set them flat on a sturdy surface like a sawhorse. Mark the places that need planed, and then use a hand plane to smooth these areas of the doorjamb.
Leaks
The large areas of glass on French doors makes them an ideal source for water leaks, particularly if you live in an area with heavy rainfall. Left untreated, these leaks can cause rotting of the door frame and the surrounding structure. Fortunately, fixing these leaks is a fairly simple task that will take only a few hours to complete.
Leaks can be caused by a number of reasons, including:
A broken seal
This issue can be solved by replacing the rubber seal on either side of the threshold with an entirely new seal. This will ensure a perfect fit, which will prevent rainwater from getting inside your home.
Water leaking through the sill
The problem could be caused by a number of ways such as the absence of a sillpan, or using a metal sill which is not watertight. If you notice that water is collecting around your French door, 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 could cause fog to build up between the two panes of glass on French doors, which obstructs the view and reduces their energy efficiency. The problem can be resolved by replacing the seal with a fresher one that blocks out both 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. Tightening the screws on the handle could fix this issue, or you could simply replace the handle completely in the event that it's damaged or worn out.
A track stop that is not properly installed can also cause doors to become jammed and scratch the frames. Applying silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops could help solve this problem. It is also recommended to regularly inspect the exterior surfaces of doors and frames for cracks or wear to make sure they are in good working order.
Warping
If you're not careful If you're not careful, 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 fixing your French doors. They'll be able to advise on the best way to fix your doors and ensure that they are safe to open and close.
If your doors are seriously warped, you might need to replace them completely. If they're slightly warped, it could be possible to bring them back to their original position by soaking the towels in water and laying them over the problem area. Place the towels in the doors for a few days, or even longer, until they're completely flattened.
This method can be used to fix uPVC or wood doors provided that the wood is well-seasoned. It is important to remember that the process can be time-consuming and is difficult to achieve especially if the doors are very warped.
If the doors were stored incorrectly, this can be a cause of the doors to warp. They should be kept clear from building works that generate lots of humidity, such as plastering or decorating work. They should be kept in a flat place, on a solid surface.
A damaged strike plate may also cause warping. To fix the problem you'll need to remove your doors and put them on a pair of sawhorses. The wood that is left over can be removed from the bottom and top edges of each door using hand planes. It is important to work in small increments so you don't end up taking too much off the doors, which can make them too thin and brittle.
After french doors glass replacement have been put back up, you can screw the strike plate back into place. If the lock still doesn't work the barrel catch might be getting caught on the side of the frame. This is typically repaired by applying silicone spray. If that doesn't help the latch, it could need to be replaced.