Bi-Fold Door Repair
Bi-fold doors can be used for internal or external use. They are flexible and can be tailored to meet your needs. Like all other fixtures and fittings they can be susceptible to wear and wear and tear.
Fortunately, it's not too difficult to get them back into good working order. You can repair your bifold doors with a little patience and some basic woodworking skills.
Cracked Corners
Bifold doors are generally light and may crack near the pivot points on the top and bottom. This is usually the result of time due to the natural deterioration in the wood of your home. Fortunately, this is easily fixable by clamping and gluing the affected wood. It's a fairly simple procedure that will save you money on hiring an expert.
Bifold doors are usually difficult to open and close smoothly. This is most likely caused by a misalignment of the guides or pivot pins of the bifold doors. It could be caused by a slipping door or pins and guides being loose. It's an easy fix.
First, you should examine the runners or tracks for obstructions or blockages. Sand, dirt and leaves can cause issues for a bifolding door. Cleaning and lubricating the tracks regularly will keep them in good working order.
If you observe that a door leaning when closed, it may need to be trimmed. You should use a circular saw since doors are not very thick. When cutting the door's veneer, you must be cautious not to break or chip it. Place the door on a sturdy table and mark the line with a pencil. Cut the door with circular saw along the line.
Bifold doors can also cause carpeting to rub when it is opened or closed. This can cause the seals to break which can let in drafts and making your home less efficient in energy use. Fortunately, this is also a fairly simple problem to solve. You will need to clean the seals using an non-abrasive cleaning solution, such as vinegar or mild dish detergent, and then apply silicone sealant to the damaged area. Once the sealant dries the issue should be solved. This will also prolong the longevity of the seals and doors.
Doors that aren't aligned
If you're having difficulty sliding your bifold door shut or open it could be due to the fact that they aren't aligned. It could also be an extremely risk to the security of your home. It is important to deal with this issue when you first are aware of it. Delaying repairs could lead to damages that require more extensive and expensive repair work.
Adjusting the bifold door is relatively easily. First, make sure that the track is free of any obstructions. It is possible to use a cloth or brush to remove dirt or debris that has accumulated over time. Once the track is clean then you can lubricate the track using a silicone spray or any other lubricant to help smooth the movement of the doors.
The next step is to adjust the pivot brackets to get your doors in the correct position. They are located on the top and bottom of the door frame, and are joined by screws. If your door is dragging on the floor you can raise it by loosening the screws, then tightening them later. If your door is separating from the walls you can lower it when you loosen the screws and tighten them later. Continue making small adjustments until your doors are completely aligned.
It's also crucial to make sure that the doors' frames are secure. If the frame moves a little, it can create gaps between the doors, which will allow air and water to get into your home. This could cause the hinges to be misaligned which can result in doors that are uneven. In this situation you'll need to secure the frame.
Additionally, make sure whether the doors are level with the floor. If they're not then you must adjust the hinge bolts to bring them in the correct position. This can be accomplished by opening and shutting the doors. Then, you can use an alumi-meter and a screwdriver until the panels are level.
Shag Carpeting
Bi-fold doors are designed to slide open and closed, but sometimes the doors can scrape against your floor or wall. This usually happens as a result of one or more pivot pins not aligned properly.
This is often simple to solve. A pivot pin is situated at the bottom of the bi-fold doors and connects to a floor bracket. At the top an retaining pin that is mounted on a spring engages a sliding bracket that locks into the track. If bifold door seal replacement against the carpet, you can raise it by rotating the pivot pin on the bottom counterclockwise until it reaches the right level.
Another reason you might be experiencing a shagging issue with your bi-fold doors is that the track they slide on is not level. This could be due to weather changes and settling, or even moving. If this is the case you can alter your tracks by loosening the screws which support the upper track bracket. Slide it upwards or downwards until it is at the same level as the bottom track bracket.
Bi-folding doors can have a problem if the wood around the pivot pins has cracked. This is a problem that occurs for all kinds of doors including bi-folds. To fix this issue, you'll require a small amount of carpenter's glue and a C-clamp. First, take down the door and pull the pivot pin with a screwdriver or pliers. Spread the glue using a toothpick across the crack, secure the door and allow it to dry for 3 to 4 hours.
You should always have your bi-fold doors repaired by a professional, regardless of how small or severe the problem is. This will prevent any damage to your door and ensure it is working correctly. You can find a local expert by visiting the website of the company that you are dealing with. They will have a list of installers who have attended their certification workshop. Contact them to make a bi-fold door service appointment.
Broken Slats
Louvered closet doors allow air to circulate, prevent mildew from growing and make your clothes easier to see. Although they can be an attractive addition to the home, repairing or replacing these doors can be a challenge.
Louver doors are made of sliding slats that can be opened and closed to let in light rain or wind. They are typically constructed of polyurethane or wood and are often used in doors, windows or walls. Some bifold doors do not have louvered slats. However, those that do could become misaligned over time or break.
When a slat breaks, you may think it's time to get an entirely new door, but this isn't the case. You can fix the broken part of the slat using a piece of fabric and carpenters glue.
Begin by removing the closet door from the track and placing it on the floor or a set of saw horses in a way that the slats are facing upwards. This will allow you to work on the closet door without damaging the hinges or tracks.
To take the broken slat out, start by positioning a claw-type hammer beneath each slat and then jerking up to remove it from the door. After the slat has been removed then measure the area where it was removed to determine the width and length required to make the new slat. Once you have the measurements you can cut a piece of cork or foam board to the same dimensions as the area where the damaged slat has been removed.
Apply a thick layer of carpenters' glue to the foamboard. Then, place the fabric on the back of the board smoothing out any wrinkles or creases as you go. Carefully place the slat into the door's slot and attach it using nails, if needed. Once the glue has dried you can hang the bifold closet door.