Enough Already! 15 Things About Door Repair We're Tired Of Hearing
Door Hardware and Hinges - How to Repair Them
Over time the door hardware and hinges may show signs of wear. Fortunately, most issues can be repaired easily.
If a door is rubbing against the latch side, it's usually because the bottom section of the jamb casing has moved or lost its nails and isn't nailed down securely. To correct this, you can use shims to bring the jamb's bottom into line with the top.
Hinges
Door hinges are among the most utilized hardware in your home. As time passes, they could get loose and then hang crooked or sagging. This could make it difficult to open or close the door and is a telltale sign that your hinge screws need repair.
The positive side is that many door hinge problems are fairly simple to fix. You can utilize a few simple tools to fix the hinges in place, then tighten them, and then cover them with lubricant to avoid further damage. If the issue is serious it may be necessary to replace the hinges.
If your door hinges are loosened, they should be tapped gently with a hammer to bring the pin barrel upwards and away from the cup portion of the hinge. If window repairs doesn't come loose, you can spray it with penetrating oil and tap again. If the sagging is on an external door, you can fix it using the weight or c-clamp that will keep the door in place while you reattach the hinge.
A more serious problem occurs when the screw holes in the hinge strip get pushed out. This can cause a hinge to fall down or create a gap between the jamb of the door and the door. It is often more difficult to fix stripped screw holes, but with the right tools and perseverance, it's possible.
There are a variety of different kinds of hinges. The most common is the mortise hinge which is mortised into the edge of the door and jamb. It is made of steel and can be ornate or basic. It is best suited to heavy doors or external doors.
Another type of hinge is the flush hinge, which is a lightweight option that is typically used in residential applications. It can be mortised to the edge and then attached with decorative metal or wood trim pieces. This type of hinge is often used on wooden gate entrances as well as barn and shed doors or garage doors.
Strike Plate
A strike plate is a plate that is placed on the door jamb and has holes in it to accommodate the latch bolt of a particular door. The bolt is what holds the door in place when it is inserted into its hole. However, like many hardware parts, the strike plate could become loose or be misaligned.
This can lead to the latch not seating within the strike plate, and therefore the latch not working. This is the point that shims can be used to assist the latch in sitting. However, it is possible that the strike plate requires to be moved upwards or downwards. If this is the situation then a sharp wood chipper can be used to remove a small amount of wood from the jamb, allowing for the strike plate to be moved into place.
If moving the strike plate upwards or down does not fix the issue, it could be that the latch is hitting the strike plate above or below the hole in the strike plate. Close the door and put the strip of lipstick or an equivalent mark on the latch. By looking at the marks left by the lipstick you can determine whether the latch is contacting the strike plate either above or below the hole. If the latch is above, it is possible that a long bolt is required. If it's below, then you'll have to remove the strike plate, and then expand it with a file.
Another option is an extended lip strike plate. This is a simple DIY solution that can be fitted to the majority of doors. It will allow the latch to fit further into the strike plate and prevent the door from being kicked in. These are available in different sizes and finishes to match the existing hardware. Commercial locksmiths are able to install replacement, repair or replace strike plates in your business. They also provide other security services to help you protect your home or business from intruders.
Sash
The sash is the part of the window that slides between up and down. It is secured by two weights, one on each side of the frame, each of which has a cord attached which pulls it up back down as needed. If the cords break you need to string them again. This is a fairly easy process.
You will need to remove first the top sash as well as its cords. Then you can pull the bottom sash free and put it aside with the counterweights that are good to hold it in place as you tie the new cords. Once the cords are inserted, you can reinstall the sash and replace the stop bead on the bottom.
Most old sash frames use pegs to join the mortise and tenon joints; this requires a tool that has pin punches and hammers to remove them. Modern sash windows could have replaced the pegs with glue, but you'll still require disassembling the window. Take out the beads that are parting remove the upper sash and its cords or chains and then remove the hardware for the sash.
When you're ready to reassemble your sash, you must first lubricate the pulley axles. Clean the sash's components and frame, and apply wood hardener if necessary. Then, paint or stain the components.
You can also repaint or re-paint your window, particularly if it has cracks or black spots. You can also add air leak prevention by putting in draught-proofing.
The parting beads require reinstallation. They are usually closed with paint, and some are fitted with screws or nails to hold them in place. Verify that the sash's horns (the wood strips that are inserted between the overlapping frames) are in place prior to reinstalling the sash. Attach the stop bead again and then angle it downwards. Then work your way down the sash. If the sash isn't falling smoothly, try pulling it up and down by hand to see if you can locate the hitch. If you can't find it you can make use of nail guns or short screws to fix the stops.
Stiles
Stiles are vertical pieces of wood on either side of the door. Rails are horizontal pieces that are positioned along the bottom and top edges of doors. They are used to hold the panels. The panels gives the door its appearance. They are constructed of various materials and may have an elongated or flat profile.
The door frame is composed of rails and stiles, but it is also possible to create frames from one piece of wood. This type of construction is called a flush door and can be used in commercial projects.
A framed door may be more difficult to handle than a flush-mounted door, but the end result is more attractive. It is a solid, durable construction that impedes noise transfer and allows for greater design flexibility. The amount of panels and lites, for example can be altered according to the design style.
Stile and rail doors can be constructed out of composite or metal. Masonite Architectural offers a number of options that include the Aspiro and Cendura collection of doors. These doors are heavy and require special care to open and close smoothly. Too much force can cause damage to wood and weaken the structural integrity.
It is crucial to use the correct tools when working on a stile and rail door. A router equipped with a coping tool can aid in trimming the stiles precisely to fit the tenons of the rails. You'll also require other tools. These include a pair saw horses, a few scrap wood, and heavy-duty clamps such as pipe clamps. It is best to begin with a test piece in order to see how much pressure you can apply to the joint.
On doors with lites the dimensions of the mullion or center panel must be increased to prevent the possibility of a lock conflict with a lite. Also, it is an ideal idea for the mid rail and cross rail to be enlarged in dimensions. This will strengthen the structure and will to prevent the door from bending or breaking as a result of humidity or environmental conditions.