Door Repair Basics
Repairing the door can be a straightforward and cost-effective project, but it could be more complicated dependent on the amount of damage the door has sustained. The most common areas for damage to the door are hinges and locks.
Do some research before choosing the right company for your door repair. Verify references, the services offered, licenses, and insurance.
Repairing Cracks
It is alarming to notice hairline cracks in your door frames. This is because it could be the first indication of structural issues or that you're in danger of losing a door to the elements. Luckily, there are simple fixes that will help you prevent cracks from forming and getting worse.
You should first thoroughly clean the crack. This will help ensure that there isn't any dirt or dust inside the crack which could interfere with your later repairs. After that, let the crack dry completely. It usually takes around half an hour.
There are several options to fix cracks within the door frame. For small cracks filler or wood putty is the easiest option to use. These materials are simple to work with and are fairly inexpensive. The best way to repair a crack on the door is to make use of real wood. This is because it results in a stronger and more durable repair, which will last longer and is less likely to break over 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 over the inside ridges. Use a small amount compound at a given time and make sure to cover all the surface area of the cracks. After drying the filler, you should sand it down until it is smooth and even with the rest of the door frame.
If you'd like, you can paint over the repaired cracks to hide the cracks. It is not always necessary if the cracks on your door aren't that big. When repairing cracks in your doors, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you want the results to be completely invisible. The goal is to create an impeccable finish that is not visible, even when seen from a distance.
You will likely find a good product at your local hardware store to fix the cracks in your door frame. If the cracks are large, you may have to make use of wood glue and splines to repair them.
Patching Hollow Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are less expensive than solid-wood ones and are common in homes. However, they are fragile and susceptible to damage. A hole in a front door can be created by a strong punch or a powerful knock. Not only is it ugly but it could also have a negative effect on the effectiveness of your home. It's good to know that patching holes in hollow-core doors is simple and can be done with common tools and materials.
Gather the following materials to begin:
Utility knife
A utility knife is necessary to remove the edges of the hole and allow the patching material to stick. Using the knife cut small bevels around the edges of the hole. This gives the patching materials a larger surface area to adhere and prevent them from peeling later on.
Refinishing a door
The aging process can cause even the most well-made wooden doors to show signs of wear. Exposure to fluctuating temperature and humidity, sun's harmful UV rays and other environmental factors can all affect the finish of a door. Refinishing a wood door is advisable if the finish starts to crack or peel. Before you can refinish the door, you'll need remove all hardware and store it safely.
After the old finish has been removed, you'll have to sand the wood to prepare it for staining. You can make use of a palm sander, or an orbital sander for flat surfaces, but you'll have to scrape carefully any details and moldings. It is best to sand with the grain and to apply light steady pressure to avoid causing damage to the wood. After sanding, use a tackcloth or microfiber to clean any dust. This will ensure that your surface is ready for the new stain.
It is essential to choose the correct color when finishing the door. Some people choose to use gel stain as an easy way to cover imperfections, however this type stain is not able to stick well to exterior wood and can begin to flake after a year.
After you have decided on your stain, it is important to allow the door to dry for a few hours. It is also recommended to sand between coats of varnish to smooth the surface and ensure that it is clean of residue or oil. To achieve an even and smooth finish, use a natural bristle brush to apply spar urethane.
Once the varnish has dried, you are able to install any hardware you removed. After the door has been installed, you can polish it with a polyurethane- or wax-based polish. This will shield the wood from water damage and harsh weather conditions. If you regularly polish it the door will look gorgeous for a long time to come.
Replacing Hinges
Door hinges are among the most crucial parts of a door, however they could also be the cause of sagging and other issues. If your door has become sagging or is difficult to open, replacing the hinges can aid. You can replace the hinges without having to remove the door from the frame. Simply unscrew the hinges that were in use and replace them with the new hinges.
To begin, take out the screws that are currently attached to the hinges on the door jamb and the leaf of the hinge. Then, use a hammer and chisel to create mortise shapes within the wood into which the hinges will be able to fit. The depth of your mortise should roughly correspond to the thickness of the hinge leaves. Check the hinges after forming the mortise to make sure they are secure and comfortable. If upvc window repairs aren't snug enough then re-chisel the hole until it's the right size.
Once you've prepared the hole to accept the hinges you've chosen, mark the locations of their screw holes on the jamb and the door with a pencil. You can use a screw guide as well to keep the screws straight when they are being driven in. Then, drill pilot holes that are small through the marks. Install the new hinges and secure them using an screwdriver or drill.
It's not necessary that the screw holes on the new hinges match perfectly with those in 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 precisely.
After you're done, put the door back in position and join it to the hinges by sliding it into the hinge pins. Use wooden blocks for support when working on the door if it's unstable. Remove the blocks and test the door again to make sure it opens and shuts correctly. If it does, you're done!