Door Repair Basics
Repairing the door can be a simple, low-cost project or more complicated depending on the extent of damage to the door. The most commonly affected areas of damage to doors are hinges, locks and hardware.
When selecting a company to fix your door, make sure to conduct some research. Check for references, the services offered, licenses and insurance.
Repairing Cracks
It can be alarming to see hairline cracks in your door frames. This is because it could be the first indication of structural issues or that you are in danger of losing a door to the elements. There are a few simple ways to stop cracks from growing and becoming more severe.
You should first thoroughly clean the crack. This will help to ensure that there is no dust or dirt in the crack that will hinder your repairs later on. The crack should then be allowed to completely dry. This usually takes about half an hour.
There are several solutions to fix cracks in your door frame. For small cracks, wood putty or filler is the easiest choice to make. These materials are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. The best method to repair the crack in the door is to make use of real wood. This is because the result will be a stronger, more durable repair that is less likely to break down in time.
After you have picked the right material to use for the job, apply it to all crack in the door frame. Use a putty knife to apply the compound to each of the ridges inside the crack. Apply a small amount at a time, making sure you completely cover the surface of each ridge. After the filler has dried then sand the surface until it is smooth.
If you wish to cover the repaired cracks to conceal the damage. This isn't always required if the cracks in your door aren't too large. The most important thing to consider when repairing cracks on your doors is that the results should be invisible. The goal is to create an impeccable finish that will not be evident, even if you look at it from close up.
You should be able to find a good product at your local hardware store to fix the cracks in your door frame. If the cracks are extensive, you may need to use wood glue or wood splines in order to fully repair the damage.
Patching Hollow Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are cheaper than solid wood doors and are commonly found in homes. They can, however, be very fragile and easily damaged. A gap in a front door can be caused by a powerful punch or a heavy knock. It's not just ugly but it could also have a negative effect on the effectiveness of your home. The good news is that patching a hole in a hollow-core door is easy and can be done with common tools and materials.
To begin you must gather the following materials:
A utility knife
A utility knife is needed to clean off the edges of the hole and make it easier for the patching material to adhere. Cut a small notch with the knife around the hole's edge. This will give the patching materials more area on which to adhere and will prevent them from peeling in the future.
Refinishing a Door
The alteration process can cause the best-constructed wooden doors to show signs of wear. Exposure to fluctuating temperature and humidity, sun's harmful UV rays and other environmental factors can all harm the finish of a door. Refinishing a wooden door is recommended if the finish starts to peel or blister. But before you can refinish your door, you'll need to carefully remove any hardware and store it in a place that is safe.
After the old finish has been removed, you'll need to sand the wood to prepare it for staining. You can use a palm sander or an orbital sander to sand flat surfaces, but you'll have to scrape carefully any details and moldings. It is recommended to sand in the grain and to apply light, steady pressure to avoid gouging the wood. After sanding, clean off any dust with a microfiber cloth or tack cloth to ensure that the surface is clean enough for the new stain.
When you are refinishing your door, it is essential to choose the correct color. Some people choose to use gel stain to cover imperfections. However, this type of stain can peel off the exterior wood within an entire year.
Once you have chosen the stain, it's important to allow the door to dry for a few hours. Sand the surface between coats of varnish to get rid of any residue or oil, and to smooth it out. In addition it is recommended to make use of a natural-bristle broom to apply the spar urethane varnish and to achieve an even, smooth coat.
Once the varnish has dried, you can install any hardware you removed. After the door has been reinstalled, you can polish it with wax-based or polyurethane polish to protect the wood from water damage from the harsh weather conditions. If you regularly polish it your door will continue to look gorgeous for a long time to come.
Replacing Hinges
The hinges of the door are a crucial component, but they could cause sagging and other problems. If your door has become sagging or is difficult to open, replacing the hinges can help. Fortunately, you can accomplish this job without removing the frame of the door by unscrewing the old hinges and replacing them with the new.
Begin by taking off the screws from the hinges on the door jambs as well as hinge leaves. Utilize a hammer to make an opening in the wood where the hinges are to be placed. The depth of the mortise should be the same as the thickness of the hinge leafs. After creating the mortise, test the hinges to see if they fit snugly and securely. If the hinges aren't snug enough then re-chisel the hole until it is the right size.
Once you've got the hole ready for the new hinges, mark the location of their screw holes on the jamb as well as the door using a pencil. You can use an aide to screw installation to ensure that the screws stay straight while they are being installed. Next, Repair My Windows And Doors in the form of small holes through the marks. Then, you can insert the new hinges and secure them using a drill or screwdriver.
It's not essential that the screw holes on the new hinges line up exactly with those on the jambs of the door but they should be close enough to match. If the holes don't match exactly, it won't have much impact since they'll be hidden by the hinge plate.
Once you're done then put the door back into place and connect it to the hinges by sliding in the hinge pins. Use wooden blocks for support while working on the door in case it's fragile. Then, remove the blocks and test the door to make sure it opens and closes correctly. If it does, you're done!