Fixing spalding french door hinge repairs
When you lock your french doors, you need to ensure they're secure. This can be accomplished by selecting the right lock that will keep your door safe without blocking airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your room.
French door locks typically come with three-point locking systems, which includes flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and a lockset for the door that can be opened. This system is hard to break.
How to fix a French door that won't lock
If your doors aren't locking or latch properly, it can be a major safety concern. This could also be a sign of a serious problem like a damaged locking cylinder. Don't worry you can fix the issue with a few simple steps.
A door that doesn't latch is usually due to obstructions that block it. It could be as simple as dirt stuck in the latch or the latch could be defective.
If you take a look at the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the side of the doors that sits against frame) It is possible to determine the truth. If there is a small metal tab protruding from the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver and hammer it to bend it slightly, this will open the hole in the plate and allow bolts can slide into it more easily.
A latch that is seized is typically due to poor alignment or installation. Lubricating the latch will help it function better, but won't fix problems with alignment.
If you do not have a strike plate it's easy to install one. You'll need to take the body of the lock from the door (the part that screws into the door frame) and replace the complete lock with a new one. This is a simple job that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill.
It is a good idea to lubricate the new lock particularly the cylinder regularly to make sure it works as well as possible. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant on the key, then rotate it several times, slowly until the cylinder moves freely.
It is recommended to invest in a double-cylinder deadbolt for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A simple handle twist lock won't be enough to stop intruders from entering, and a standard deadbolt with an internal thumb-turn of the door can be beaten by breaking the glass and reaching in through it.
How do fix the problem of a French door that isn't latching
Often the issue is caused by the door latch not properly connecting to the strike plate hole. This is typically caused by sagging hinges however it could be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. You can use lipstick, or another similar marker, to identify the cause. The location of the mark will help determine the source of the issue If, for instance, it contacts below the strike plate's hole, hinges could be the probable reason, however If it's above, the position of the latch could be the cause.
It is important to be sure to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or the lock mechanism on the French Door. This is especially true if a door has been closed for a long period of time. In that time the door might have moved. This is especially common with composite and timber doors, as they are susceptible to contraction or expansion based on the weather or the environment.
To fix this, remove the latch on the edge of the door in use and unscrew it from the handle. Using a sharp chisel, with a hammer, enlarge strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow you to put the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is closed it will shut without catching the frame.
After the latch hole is increased, insert the new latch inside the strike plate and screw it into. Then, re-adjust the strike plate with the screw and hammer until it is sitting in a more suitable position, then test the door. Make any adjustments that are needed.
The lock cylinder of external French doors won't turn. This can be caused by debris or simply wear and tear, however it's usually simple to fix. Often the lock is simply obstructed or the pins inside the cylinder are worn. A simple clean can make a big difference to the operation of the mechanism, and it's definitely worth giving this a try. If the problem persists it could be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
How to fix the problem of a French door that won't let you open
If your French doors do not lock the way you want them to, it's most likely due to debris and dirt blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing you should take is to ensure that the frame of the door is free from obstructions and nothing is blocking the mechanism for locking. There could also be a problem with the alignment of the French door and its frame. This could cause the French door to drag against the frame, resulting in jamming.
The mechanism for locking is simple. A key rotates a spindle, which then moves a bolt up and down on the rail. If the handle moves but the bolt doesn't there is a problem, then something is not working. It could be a problem with the mechanics of the lock itself, or it may just require lubricating. Try using the silicone spray. It will come with a pipe which can be used to direct the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray generously and then turn the handle to ensure the lubricant is reaching all of the mechanisms.
It is also possible to change where the latch is located on the French door. This is easy to do and is typically done from the outside of the door. If your French doors have just been installed they should be able to screw the latch and handle in place with no problem. If your French doors are older, you'll have to use the template that comes with the lock kit to mark the locations where the holes for the handle on the door and the latch on the frame should be. Drill the hole for the knob/handle at the correct height. This is typically around 36 inches above the floor. Then, drill a smaller hole along the edge of the doors for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled it is important to ensure that the latch plate fits correctly over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit properly the deadbolt will not retract into strike plate when you pull the lock lever. The latch plate will require to be screwed into the correct position.
How do you fix a French door that won't close
Sometimes the latch on the latch of a French door can become stuck, and it isn't able to close, making the doors effectively unusable. There's usually a solution, but it can involve removal of one of the doors, especially in the case of heavy doors. The most common cause is that the latch isn't aligned either with the strike plate or with the door jamb or both. It might also be that the dead bolt isn't extended or retracted completely. The misalignment can happen over time, due to weather conditions or the settling of the home.
If the latch is stuck, it may be difficult to open, however it's usually easy to fix the problem by loosening the screws holding the hinge to the frame, and then putting in some shims to make the door higher or lower. This will get the latch closer to the lock mechanism and solve the issue.
Similarly, if the latch isn't in the strike plate hole on the jamb of the door it is usually possible to solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate and using an electric or metal planer to cut away some of the edge of the plate until the latch fits. This could also mean removing the strike plate, and then chiseling out the hole to make it larger should it be it is necessary.
Another common problem with French doors is that locks don't engage properly. If you have a newer lock it could indicate a problem with the locking cylinder itself. You'll need to take off the lock and examine it for visible obstructions or damage and, if it's functioning properly, you might require replacing it.
Replace the old weatherstripping on the outside of a door that is older If you notice drafts entering. This will create a secure seal and stop the doors from sticking. Door sweeps can be used to fill in any gaps. Install the sweeps on both the top and bottom of the door.