Bi-Fold Door Repair
Bi-fold doors can be used for indoor or outdoor use. They are affluent and can be tailored to meet the needs of any customer. Like other fittings and fixtures, they could be subject to wear and tear.
Fortunately, it's not too difficult to restore them to good working order. With some patience and basic woodworking skills you can tackle a couple of easy bi-fold door repair projects.
Cracked Corners
Bifold doors are generally light and can break near the pivot points at the top and bottom. This is usually the result of time because of the natural deterioration of wood in your home. Fortunately, this can be fixable by clamping and gluing the affected wood. The procedure is fairly simple and will reduce the expense of hiring a professional do the job for you.
Often, the most common problem with bifold doors is that they cannot open or close smoothly. This is usually caused by a misalignment of the pivot pins or guides of bifold doors. This can be caused by an unbalanced door or loose guides and pivot pins and is simple to fix with a bit of effort.
You should first check the tracks and runners for obstructions or blockages. Sand, dirt, leaves fur, pet hair and everything else that could get on the track could cause issues for bifold doors. Regular cleaning and lubrication of tracks will keep them in working order.
If you observe that a door leaning when closed, it might need to be trimmed. You should use a circular saw since doors aren't that thick. You should also be careful to avoid damaging or chipping the door's veneer while trimming it. Put the door on a stable table and draw an outline with pencil. Then trim the door along the line with circular saw.
Another issue that is often encountered when bifold doors are that the doors will scratch against carpeting whenever they're closed or opened. This can lead to the seals becoming less durable, allowing draughts into your home and reducing its energy efficiency. It's good news that this is an easy issue to repair. All you have to do is clean the seals using an non-abrasive solution like vinegar or mild dish detergent, then apply a silicone sealant to the affected area. After the sealant is dry the issue should be solved. This will also prolong the life of your seals and the doors in general.
Doors that are not aligned
If your bifold doors seem to be sticking or jamming as you try to open them or slide them closed, this is an indication that they are out of alignment. This could also pose a serious risk to your home's security. It is important to deal with this issue as soon as you are aware of it. In the event of delaying repairs, it could result in damage that requires more extensive and costly repair work.
Adjusting the bifold door can be accomplished relatively easily. Make sure that the track is free of obstructions and clean. It is possible to use a brush or cloth to remove dirt or debris that has accumulated over time. Once the track is clean, you can lubricate it using a silicone spray or any other oil to ease the movement of doors.
The next step is to adjust the pivot brackets in order to put your doors in a correct position. The brackets are situated at the top and bottom corners of the door frame and are attached to the frame using screws. You can raise your door if it's dragging along the floor by loosening and tightening the screws after. If it is moving away from the wall you can lower it by loosening the screws and tightening later. Keep making small adjustments until your doors are completely aligned.
It is also important to ensure that the door frames have been secured. If the frame is moved a little, it can cause gaps between the doors which allow moisture and air to seep in. This can also cause the hinges to move out of alignment which can result in doors that are uneven. In this case, you'll need to resecure the frame.
Also, make sure that the doors are on the same level as the floor. You'll have to adjust the hinge bolts if they are not in the right position. This can be accomplished by opening and closing the doors. Then, you can use the spirit level and screwdriver until the panels are all level.
Shag Carpeting
A bi-fold door is designed to open and close easily however, sometimes the doors can scratch the wall or floor. This is usually the result of one or more pivot pins not aligned properly.
This issue is usually easy to solve. On the bottom of your bi-fold door, there is pivot pins that are encased on a floor bracket, and a spring-mounted pin at the top of the door that is engaged with a sliding bracket that locks into the track. If your bi-fold door scrapes against the carpet, you can raise it by rotating the bottom pivot pin counterclockwise until it's at the correct level.
There could be a shagging issue with your bi-fold door if the track on which they slide is not level. This could be due to shifting weather conditions, settling or shifting. If this is the case, you can adjust your tracks by loosening the screws that hold the upper track bracket. Slide it up or downward 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 is cracked. This is a problem most doors face, including bifolds. To fix this, you'll require a small amount of carpenter's adhesive and C-clamp. First, take down the door and then pry the pivot pin out with either pliers or a screwdriver. Then apply the glue to the crack using an ice cube, secure the door and allow it to set for about 3 to 4 hours.
It is recommended that you repair your bifold doors by a professional, regardless of how minor or serious the problem is. bi fold door repairs will stop further damage and ensure that your door is operating properly. You can find an expert local to you by going to the website of the door company. They will have a list with installers who have attended their training workshops for certification. Then, give them a call to set up your bifold repair appointment.
Broken Slats
Louvered doors for closets allow air to circulate, stop mildew from developing and allow your clothes to see. They can be a wonderful feature in a house, but repairing or replacing them can be difficult.
Louver doors consist of slats which can be closed and opened to let air, light, or rain into the room. They are typically made of polyurethane or wood molding and can be used in windows, doors or even walls. Bifold doors don't all have louvered slats but those that do may become misaligned or break in time.
When a slat fails you might think it's time to get doors, but it's not necessary. Instead, you can fix the damaged slat by using a piece of fabric and carpenters glue.
Begin by taking the closet door off the track and place 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 causing damage to the hinges or tracks.
To take out the broken slat begin by putting a claw-type hammer beneath each slat and then jerking up to remove it from the door. After the slat is removed, take measurements of the area that it was removed from to determine the length and width of the replacement slat. Once you have the measurements, cut a piece of cork or foam board to the same dimensions as the area where the broken slat was removed.
Apply a thick layer of carpenters' glue to the foamboard. Then, you can place the fabric on the back of the board smoothing out any wrinkles or wrinkles as you move. Carefully place the slat into the door's opening and attach it using nails, if needed. When the glue is dry, you'll be able to rehang your bifold closet door.