Exterior doors are a vital part of any home, as they are keeping burglars and unwanted visitors outside, protecting your family within and providing a barrier between your comfortable indoor space and cold weather and noise pollution. With that in mind, If something goes wrong or damage occurs, then any or all of these protections could be lost, requiring front door repairs to bring them back into a functional order.
Some wear and tear are impossible to avoid. However, here we look at five common front door repairs and how to avoid them.
1. Rotting Doors Or Door Frames
If your doors and door frames are rotting, they may need replacing or repair work. The affected wood can be planed away if the problem is small. However, if the problem is more severe, the section may need to be replaced with new wood. Door frame repair to this extent usually requires the knowledge and skills of a professional door installer or wood craftsperson.
2. Doors That Stick Or Won’t Close
Doors that stick or won’t close could be down to a shift in alignment. However, most often, it is the realm of timber doors that swell. Untreated wood swells as it absorbs water, either making it impossible to open or close.
Front door repairs to resolve sticking described here may involve planing or sanding the wood. Sometimes you will need to adjust the position of locks and handles. To avoid sticking doors, you should ensure the wood is adequately preserved and maintained.
Non-timber external doors can be adjusted if they stick, although this is often best left to the professionals.
3. Door Locks Not Working
Door locks not working might mean you are locked outside or inside, but you can’t secure your home. If you are locked out, you may need a locksmith or door fitter.
Front door repairs that involve locks or deadbolts are usually best left to the professionals. They can determine if the lock is worth repairing or if replacing is more cost-effective and secure. To avoid this, regularly clean the lock and check that the lock bolt aligns correctly with the strike plate.
It is best to tackle any minor lock problems as soon as you notice them. This avoids the situation becoming more expensive or a resulting failure that requires a costly out-of-hours locksmith.
4. Doors That Are Gapping
Doors that move to a point where there is a gap allow your precious heated air to escape. The issue happens most often with uPVC doors due to their weight. These can be realigned to fit correctly once again. If the door has damaged weather strips, then these can be replaced.
5. Squeaking Doors
The culprit of squeaking doors is most often the hinges. Repairs for this issue can be as simple as spraying the hinge with WD-40, focusing on the hinge pin. You should spray and then open and close the door several times to help lubricate the moving parts.
For further advice on avoiding repairs or to arrange front door repairs, please contact our team on 01922 214838.