How to Repair French Doors
French doors are a beautiful addition to any home they connect outdoor and indoor spaces. However, they may face problems over time that require immediate attention for both safety and functionality.
Common issues are problems with alignment, sagging, and warping of the door's frame and sash. Fortunately, most of these issues can be repaired with a bit of time and effort.
Locks that are not aligned
Some doors may be slack or awry due to humidity, wood swelling or house settlement. This can cause the bolt for the lock to become loose and making it more difficult to open or close the door. This can put extra stress on the lock, which can eventually lead to mangled inner-lock components or even broken locks altogether. It's an issue that is quite common and can be resolved with simple DIY techniques.
In some cases, a small amount of lubricant may be all you need to make the door easier to open and close. You can use graphite oil, but you must be cautious to select one that is safe for your door. Before applying the lubricant, wipe the door's perimeter with a damp rag to get rid of any debris.
Another method to fix a door hanging out of alignment is to loosen the hinges and then moving them until they are level with the frame of the door. However, you must be careful not to tighten too much the screws since this can damage the door or hinges.
If your exterior French door isn't closing correctly it could be a sign there are obstructions in the lock mechanism. This is usually caused by short screws that came from the factory that have become loose over time. To fix this issue, replace the screws with longer ones that grab more of the door frames wood.
You could also try adjusting the lock, but this will be more difficult and complicated. Begin by loosening the knob or handle with the flat-head screwdriver. You can then remove the lock from its cubbyhole, by unscrewing and pulling it out. Examine it for any obstructions before you rebuild and tighten the screw connections.
If the latch doesn't touch the strike plate, you may have to move the strike plate or increase it. If the strike plate is either higher or lower than the latch hole it could prevent the lock from closing and will require a locksmith professional. If the hole is small it is possible to make use of a metal file to enlarge it.
Sagging
If your doors aren't straight or have gaps, this can decrease the energy efficiency of your home. These gaps can also create drafts and obstruct your view. Fortunately there are simple solutions that can help resolve these issues.
Start by tightening your hinges and aligning them properly. This should take about 10 minutes and no tools are required. If this does nothing to fix the issue, you will need to replace the hinges. They are likely at the end of their lifecycle.
Over time the French doors may become loose due to the weight. To prevent this, tighten all of the hinges on your door and check them regularly to ensure they are still secure. Sometimes, you must grease the hinges with a spray of lubrication to prolong their life.
The hinges that are old or damaged can cause a door to slide, so replacing hinges with new ones can aid. A new doorknob, or doors freshly painted can also affect the sloping of your French doors.
Other causes of sagging can be foundation settlement or wear and tear on the hinges, or improper modifications to your doors. A door that is sagging can be fixed by adjusting the hinges and tightening the hinge screws, or replacing the hinges altogether.
It is also necessary to inspect the weather stripping and door sweep regularly to ensure they're functioning properly. If they are not, then removing them and replacing them could fix the issue.
It is also important to look over your frames for signs of rot or warping. These issues can lead to a draft, which will reduce the efficiency of your door. They could also cause water leakage or other damages to your home.
Popular Mechanics advises that if your doors are sliding after you've tried all three options, you may need to sand your door jambs using a handplane. To do this, you must remove the doors from their hinges, and place them flat on a sawhorse, or other sturdy object. Mark the places that need planing, then use a hand plane to smooth out these areas of the doorjamb.
Leaks
French doors with large glass areas are susceptible to leaks, especially when you live in an area that experiences frequent rainfall. If not treated, these leaks can cause rotting of the door frame and the surrounding structure. It is comparatively simple to repair these leaks and should only take you just a few minutes.
Leaks can be caused by a variety of causes, 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, and prevent rainwater from getting into your home.
Water leaking from the sill
This problem can be caused many ways such as the absence of a sillpan or using a sill made of metal that isn't watertight. If you notice water collecting around your French doors, it is important to get in touch with the builder and ask for the installation of a sill pan or to replace the steel sill with an alternative made of wood that will keep out water.
Obstructions
A faulty seal can also cause fog to build up between the double panes of glass on French doors, which blocks the view and lowers energy efficiency. This can be corrected by replacing the existing seal with a new one that can stop moisture and air from entering.
Loose Handles
A loose handle on your French doors could 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 it's damaged or worn.
Similarly, a track stop that isn't properly set can prevent doors from sliding properly which can cause jams and scratches on the frames. Adding silicone caulk to the tracks or track stops may help solve this problem. It's also an excellent idea to regularly check for cracks and wear on the exterior surfaces of the frames and doors to ensure that they are in top condition.
Warping
A French door offers a lovely view and lets in plenty of light. However, when you're not cautious, your doors could begin to warp as a result of exposure to heat or humidity. It's a good idea to contact an experienced handyman who has experience fixing your French door. They will be able to advise you on the most effective method to repair your doors, and also ensure that they are safe to close and open.
If your doors are badly bent, it may be necessary to replace them. If they're only slightly warped, it may be possible to get them straight by soaking heavy towels and laying them over the area of concern. Leave french door hinge repairs on the doors for several days, or even longer, until they are completely flattened.
This method is usually applied to uPVC doors, but can also be applied to wooden doors in the event that the wood is properly seasoned. It's important to note that the process is time-consuming and is difficult to achieve, especially when the doors are severely warped.
Doors can crack if they have been stored improperly. They should be kept clear from building works that generate lots of humidity, such as plastering or decorating work. They should also be kept flat on a surface and not stacked, especially in their unfinished state.
A damaged strike plate could also cause warping. To fix the problem, you will need to take your doors off and place them on a pair of sawhorses. The excess wood can be removed from the top and bottom edges of each door with hand planes. It's important to work in small increments to avoid taking too much off the doors, which can cause them to become too thin and fragile.
Once the doors are rehung, you can screw the strike plate back in place. If the lock doesn't work the barrel catch might be getting caught on the side of the frame. This is fixable by spraying silicone onto the latch. If that doesn't help the latch, it could need to be replaced.