Door Repair Basics
Door repair can either be a simple, inexpensive project or more complicated depending on the severity of damage to the door. The most frequent places for damage to the door are hinges and locks.
When selecting a company to do your door repair ensure you conduct some research. Look for references, services provided as well as licenses and insurance.
Repairing Cracks
When you see hairline cracks appearing in the door frame, it could be alarming. This is because it may be the first indication of structural issues or that you're at risk of losing your door to the elements. Fortunately, there are some simple fixes that will aid in stopping cracks from forming and getting worse.
It is important to first thoroughly clean the crack. This will help to ensure that there is no dirt or dust in the crack that could hinder your repairs later on. After that, allow the crack to completely dry. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
There are many options for fixing cracks in your door frame. For small cracks, wood putty or filler is the best option to use. This is due to the fact that these materials are fairly inexpensive and simple to work with. The best way to repair a crack on the door is to use real wood. This is because it will result in an even more durable and sturdy repair, which is less likely break down over the course of time.
After you've selected the appropriate material, apply it to the cracks on the door frame. Spread the compound with a putty knife around the inside ridges. Use just a tiny amount at a time, making sure you cover the entire surface area of each ridge. After the filler has dried and the surface is sanded, it is smooth.
If you wish to paint over the repaired cracks in order to cover the cracks. This isn't always required when the cracks in your door aren't that big. The most important thing to remember when fixing cracks in your doors is that the outcome are supposed to be undetectable. The aim is to create a an unmistakable finish that is not visible up close.
You should be able to find a quality product at your local hardware store to fix the cracks in your door frame. If the cracks are extensive and deep, you might need to apply wood glue or splines in order to fully repair the damage.
Patching Hollow Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are more affordable than solid-wood doors and are common in homes. However, they can be quite fragile and prone to damage. Whether it's from a heavy hit or an accidental smack the hole in the door is a major problem that must be repaired immediately. It's not just ugly, it can also have a negative impact on the efficiency of your home. Fortunately, patching a hole in hollow-core doors is simple and can be accomplished using typical tools and materials.
To start you must gather the following materials:
A utility knife
A utility knife is required to scrub the edges of the hole to allow the patching material to adhere. Cut a small bevel using the knife to the hole's edge. This gives the patching material more area to adhere to and prevent it from peeling off in the future.
Refinishing the door
Even the most well-constructed wooden doors may be damaged as they get older. Exposed to fluctuating temperatures and humidity, sun's harmful UV rays and other environmental factors can all damage a door's finish. Refinishing a wooden door is advisable in the event that the finish begins to peel or blister. Before you finish the door, you'll need remove all hardware and store it in a safe place.
After the old finish is removed, you'll have to sand the wood in preparation for staining. You can make use of a palm sander, or an orbital sander to sand flat surfaces, but you'll need to carefully scrape any moldings and details. It is best to sand with the grain and apply light steady pressure to avoid damaging the wood. After sanding, clean off any dust using either a microfiber or tack cloth to ensure that the surface is clean and ready for the new stain.
It is essential to choose the correct color when renovating the door. Some people choose to use gel stain as an easy fix to hide imperfections, however this type of stain does not adhere well to wood exteriors and will generally begin to flake within a year.
It is crucial to let your door dry for a night after you have selected the stain. Sand the surface between coats of varnish to get rid of any residue or oil and to smooth it. Finally, you should make use of a natural-bristle broom to apply the spar urethane varnish to create a smooth, even coat.
Once the varnish dries and the varnish is dry, you can put back in any hardware that was removed. Once the door is installed, you can polish it using a polyurethane- or wax-based polish. This will protect the wood from water damage and extreme weather conditions. If you polish it regularly the door will continue to look beautiful for years to be.
Replacing Hinges
Door hinges are among the most crucial components of a door. However, they can be the cause of sagging or other issues. Replace the hinges if your door is sagging or difficult to open. You can replace the hinges without removing the door from the frame. Simply unscrew the old ones and use the new ones.
Start by taking the screws off the hinges on the door jambs and hinge leaves. Use a hammer to create a mortise in the wooden structure where the hinges are to be placed. The depth of the mortise should be about the same as the thickness of the hinge leaf. Check the hinges after forming the mortise to make sure they are secure and comfortable. If the hinges do not fit, re-chisel them until the hole is the right size.
Mark the screw holes on the new hinges on the jambs as well as the doors using a pencil after you have prepared the hole. You can use a screw guide as well to ensure that the screws stay straight while they are being driven into. Next, drill pilot holes that are small through the markings. Then, install RepairMyWindowsAndDoors that you have made and secure them using either a screwdriver or drill.
It's not a requirement that the screw holes on the new hinges line up exactly with the holes in the jamb of the door however they must be close enough to match. If the holes do not match up precisely, it won't really matter since they'll be hidden by the hinge plate.
Slide the hinge pins into the hinges to join the door. Use wood blocks as support while working on the door in case it's unstable. Then, take the blocks off and check the door to make sure it shuts and opens properly. If it does, you're done!