Door Repair Basics
Door repair can either be a straightforward, affordable project or more complicated based on the severity of damage to the door. The most frequent areas for door damage are hinges, locks and hardware.
When you are choosing a business to do your door repair make sure to conduct some research. Check references, services provided as well as licenses, insurance, and references.
Repairing Cracks
If you notice hairline cracks appearing on the door frame, it can be alarming. It could be a sign of structural problems or that your door is in danger of falling into the elements. There are easy fixes that can aid in stopping cracks from growing and becoming worse.
The first thing you need to do is clean the crack and the surrounding area thoroughly. This will ensure that the crack is free of dust and dirt that could interfere with future repairs. The crack must then be allowed to dry completely. It usually takes 30 minutes.
There are a variety of options to fix cracks in the door frame. Filler or wood putty are the best options for small cracks. These materials are simple to use and relatively inexpensive. However, the most effective method to repair a damaged area in a door is actually to use real wood. This is because it will result in an even more durable and sturdy repair, and will last longer and is less likely to break in the course of time.
After you've selected the appropriate material then apply it to the cracks of the door frame. Spread the compound with a putty blade around the inside ridges. Apply a small amount of compound at a given time and make sure that you cover the surface area of the cracks. After the filler has dried and the surface is sanded, it is smooth.
You can paint over the repaired cracked to hide them if you wish. However, this is not always a necessity, especially if the cracks are small. The most important thing to remember when repairing cracks in your doors is that the results will be invisibly. The goal is to create an unmistakable finish that will not be evident, even if you look at it from a distance.
You should be able find the product at your local hardware store to fix the cracks on your door frame. If the cracks are very large, you may need to apply wood glue and splines to repair them.
Patching Hollow Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are cheaper than solid-wood ones and are commonly found in homes. However, they can be quite fragile and easily damaged. A hole in a front door can be created by a strong punch or a heavy knock. It's not only unsightly and can affect the efficiency of a house. Fortunately, patching a hole in a hollow-core door is easy and can be accomplished using typical tools and materials.
To start to begin, gather the following items:
A utility knife
A utility knife is needed to scrub the edges of the hole to allow the patching material to stick. With the knife make an elongated bevel around the edge of the hole. This gives the patching materials more surface area to stick to and stop them from peeling in the future.
Refinishing a Door
Even the best-made wooden doors can show signs of wear as they age. Exposure to fluctuating temperature and humidity, the sun's damaging UV rays, and other environmental factors can all damage a door's finish. Refinishing wood doors is advisable when the finish begins to peel or blister. However, before you refinish your door, you will be required to remove any hardware and keep it secure.
Once the old finish is removed, you will need to sand your wood in preparation for staining. You can employ a palm sander or an orbital sander to sand flat surfaces, but you will be required to scrape the wood carefully moldings and details. It is recommended to sand along the grain and apply a gentle, steady pressure to avoid damaging the wood. After sanding, you can use the tackcloth or microfiber to clean any dust. This will ensure that the surface is ready for the new stain.
When refinishing your door, it is essential to choose the correct color. Some people choose to use gel stain as an easy fix to hide imperfections, however this type of stain does not adhere well to exterior wood and will generally begin to flake within a year.
After you have selected your stain, it is crucial to let the door dry for a few hours. It is also recommended to sand between coats of varnish to smooth the surface and ensure that it is free of oil and residue. To achieve a smooth and even finish, use a natural bristle brush to apply spar urethane.
After the varnish has dried, you are able to install the hardware you took off. Once the door is reinstalled you can polish it using wax-based polish or polyurethane to protect the wood and prevent water damage caused by harsh weather conditions. If you polish it regularly the door will remain stunning for many years to be.
Replacing Hinges
The hinges on a door are an important component, but they could cause sagging or other issues. If your door has become sagging or is difficult to open it is possible to replace the hinges to aid. Fortunately, you can complete this job without removing the door from its frame by unscrewing the old hinges and replacing them with new ones.
To begin, take out the existing screws from the hinges on the door jamb and the leaf of the hinge. Make use of a hammer in order to create a mortise in the wooden structure where the hinges are to be placed. 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 don't fit, re-chisel until your hole is the right size.
Draw the screw holes of the hinges that are new on the jambs and the doors with a pencil after you have the hole prepared. You can use a screw guide as well to keep the screws straight while they are being installed. Next, drill narrow pilot holes through these markings. Install go!! and secure them using an screwdriver or drill.
It's not necessary that the screw holes on the new hinges line up perfectly with those in the jambs of the door but they should be close enough to be able to match. If the holes do not match up exactly, it won't have much impact since they'll be hidden behind the hinge plate.
When you're finished then put the door back into position and join it to the hinges by sliding it into the hinge pins. Use blocks of wood as support when working on the door if it is unstable. Then, remove the blocks and test the door to be sure it closes and opens properly. If it does, you're done!