Door Repair Basics
Repairing the door can be a straightforward, affordable 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.
Do some research before choosing a door repair. Look for references, services provided and licenses as well as insurance.
Repairing Cracks
When you see hairline cracks appearing in the door frame, it can be alarming. It could be an indication of structural issues or that your door is in danger of falling into the elements. There are a few simple ways to stop cracks from growing and getting worse.
It is important to first thoroughly clean the crack. This will ensure that the crack is free of dirt and dust which could cause problems for future repairs. The crack should be allowed to dry completely. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
There are a variety of options to fix cracks in the door frame. For small cracks, wood putty or filler is the best choice to make. These materials are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk to repair cracks in the door is to use real wood. This is because the result will be a stronger, more durable repair that is less likely to break down over time.
Once you've decided on the best material apply it to the cracks in the door frame. Make use of a putty knife to apply the compound to each of the inside ridges of the crack. Use a small amount of compound at a time, and make sure to cover all the surface area of the cracks. Once the filler has dried then sand the surface until it is smooth.
You can paint over the repaired cracked to conceal the cracks if you want. However, this is not always a necessity, especially in the case of small cracks. When fixing cracks on your doors the most important thing you should keep in your mind is that you want the result to be invisible. The aim is to create a an unmistakable finish that will not be visible even close up.
You are likely to find a quality product at your local hardware store to repair the cracks in your door frame. If the cracks are large, you may have to make use of wood glue and splines to repair the cracks.
Patching Hollow Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are cheaper than solid-wood ones and are common in homes. However, they can be fragile and susceptible to damage. If it's caused by a powerful knock or an accidental punch, a hole in an entrance is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Not only is it ugly but it could also have a negative effect on the efficiency of your home. The good news is that patching a hole in hollow-core doors is simple and can be accomplished with standard tools and materials.
To begin, gather the following materials:
Utility knife
A utility knife is required to clean off the edges of the hole and make it easier for the patching material to stick. Cut a small bevel using the knife around the hole's edge. This gives the patching materials more area to adhere and prevent them from peeling in the future.
Refinishing a Door
The aging process can cause even the most well-made wooden doors to show signs of wear. The exposure to fluctuating temperatures and humidity, sun's harmful UV rays and other environmental elements can all affect the finish of a door. Refinishing a wood door is advisable in the event that the finish begins to peel or blister. But before you can refinish your door, you will be required to remove any hardware and store it somewhere safe.
After removing the finish, you'll have to sand the wood in order 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 moldings and details. It is recommended to sand with the grain and apply gentle steady pressure to avoid causing damage to the wood. After sanding, clean off any dust using either a microfiber or tack cloth to ensure that the surface is clean enough for the new stain coat.
When refinishing your door, it is important to select the right color. Some people use gel stain as an easy fix to hide imperfections, however this type of stain does not adhere well to wood exteriors and can begin to flake within a year.
It is important to let your door dry over the night after you have chosen the stain. Sand the surface between coats of varnish in order to remove any residue or oil and to smooth it. In addition it is recommended to employ a natural-bristle brush apply the spar urethane varnish to get an even, smooth coat.
After the varnish has dried, you can reinstall any hardware that you have removed. Once the door is put back in place, you can polish it using a wax- or polyurethane-based polish. This will protect the wood from damage caused by water and extreme weather conditions. Your door will look gorgeous for a long time If you regularly polish it.
Replacing Hinges
The hinges on the door are a crucial part, but they can cause sagging and other issues. Replace 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 hinges you have been using and replace them with the new hinges.
To get started, remove the screws that are already in place from the hinges of the door jamb and hinge leaf. Make use of a hammer in order to create an opening in the wood where the hinges will be put. The size of the mortise should roughly match the thickness of the hinge leaves. After constructing the mortise test the hinges to see if they fit snugly and securely. If the hinges do not fit make a new chisel hole until it is the proper size.
Once you've prepared the hole for the new hinges, mark the locations of their screw holes on the jamb and the door using a pencil. You can also use a screw guide in order to keep the screws straight as they are driven into. Next, drill narrow pilot holes through these marks. Then, insert the new hinges and secure them using the screwdriver or drill.
The screw holes on new hinges do not have to be exactly the same as those in the jamb of the door, but they must be close enough. The hinge plate will cover any holes that don't match precisely.
Once you're done then put the door back into position and join it to the hinges by sliding in the hinge pins. If the door is wobbly you can use wood blocks to help it support it while you work. After that, remove the blocks and check the door to make sure it closes and opens properly. If it does, you're done!