Door Repair Basics
Door repair can either be a simple, inexpensive project or more complicated based on the extent of damage to the door. The most common places for damage to doors are hinges, locks and hardware.
Do some research prior to selecting a company for your door repair. Look for references, services provided and licenses as well as insurance.
Repairing Cracks
It can be alarming to notice hairline cracks appearing in the door frames. This is because it could be the first sign of potential structural problems, or that you are in danger of losing a door to the elements. There are simple fixes that can assist in preventing the cracks from expanding and becoming worse.
The first thing you must do is clean the crack and surrounding area thoroughly. This will ensure that the crack is free of dirt and dust that could hinder future repairs. The crack should then be allowed to completely dry. It usually takes 30 minutes.
There are several options to fix cracks in the door frame. Wood putty or filler are the best choices for small cracks. These materials are easy to work with and are fairly inexpensive. However, RepairMyWindowsAndDoors to repair a damaged area in a door is actually to use real wood. This is because it results in a more durable and stronger repair, which will last longer and is less likely to break over the course of time.
After you have selected the appropriate material for the job, apply it to all of the cracks in the door frame. Use a putty knife to apply the compound to each of the inside ridges of the crack. Use a small amount compound at a time and make sure that you cover the surface area of the cracks. After drying the filler, you should smooth it out until it is smooth and level with the rest of the door frame.
If you'd like, you can paint over the repaired cracks to conceal the cracks. However, this is not always a necessity, especially when the cracks aren't too large. When fixing cracks in your doors, the most important thing you should keep in mind is that you want the results to be invisible. The aim is to create a an impeccable finish that won't be noticeable even close up.
You should be able to locate a product in your local hardware store to repair the cracks in your door frame. If the cracks are large they may require you to apply wood glue or splines to repair them.
Patching Hollow Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are more affordable than solid wood doors and are common in homes. However, they can be very fragile and easily damaged. If it's caused by a powerful knock or an accidental punch the hole in the door is a major issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Not only is it ugly and unattractive, but it can also have a negative impact on the effectiveness of your home. Fortunately, patching a hole in hollow-core doors is simple and can be accomplished with standard tools and materials.
To start to begin, gather the following items:
Utility knife
A utility knife is required to scrub the edges of the hole to allow the patching material to adhere. With the knife make a small bevel around the edges of the hole. This gives the patching materials a larger surface area on which to adhere and will prevent them from peeling later on.
Refinishing a door
Even the best-crafted wooden doors can exhibit signs of wear as they age. Exposed to fluctuating temperatures and humidity, the sun's damaging UV rays, and other environmental factors can all affect the finish of a door. Refinishing a wooden door is recommended if the finish starts to crack or peel. Before you refinish the door, it is necessary to remove all hardware and store it safely.
After the old finish is removed, you will need to sand your wood in preparation for staining. For flat surfaces you can use a palm or orbital sander. However, you'll have to carefully scrape the moldings and other details. It is best to sand along the grain and apply a gentle, steady pressure to avoid causing damage to the wood. After sanding, you can use the tackcloth or microfiber to get rid of any dust. This will ensure that the surface is ready for the stain you want to apply.
When refinishing your door, it is important to select the right color. Some people apply gel stain to cover up imperfections. However, this kind of stain will flake off the exterior wood in a year.
After you have selected the stain you want to use, it is essential to allow the door to dry for a few hours. Sand the surface between coats of varnish in order to remove any residue or oil, and smooth it out. To get a smooth and even finish, use a natural bristle brush to apply spar urethane.
Once the varnish has dried, you can install any hardware you removed. After the door has been reinstalled, you can polish it using wax-based or polyurethane polish to protect the wood and prevent water damage from the harsh weather conditions. If you polish it frequently your door will look beautiful for years to be.
Replacing Hinges
The hinges on doors are an essential part, but they can cause sagging or other issues. If your door has become sagging or is difficult to open it is possible to replace the hinges to help. Fortunately, you can do this task without removing your door from its frame by unscrewing the old hinges and using new ones.
To get started, remove the screws that are currently attached to the hinges on the door jamb and hinge leaf. Then you can use a hammer and chisel to create an mortise in the wood where the hinges will fit. The size of the mortise should roughly match the thickness of hinge leaves. Test the hinges after creating the mortise to make sure 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 driven into. The next step is to drill pilot holes through these marks. Then, install the hinges you want to use and secure them using the help of a screwdriver or drill.
It's not essential that the screw holes on the new hinges align exactly with those on the door jamb, but they should be close enough to be able to match. The hinge plate will cover any holes that don't match exactly.
Slide the hinge pins into the hinges to join the door. If the door is unstable you can use wood blocks to support it as you work. Then remove the blocks, and test the door again to make sure it is shut and opens properly. If it does, you're done!