Bi-Fold Door Repair
If they are either exterior or internal, bifold doors provide a certain amount of flexibility that can be tailored to suit any requirement. Like other fixtures and fittings, they can be susceptible to wear and tear.
It's easy to restore them to a good condition. With a little patience and some basic woodworking knowledge you can tackle a few easy bi-fold door repair projects.
Cracked Corners
Bifold closet doors are generally light and are susceptible to cracking at the pivot points. This typically occurs over time due to the natural deterioration in the wood of your home. Fortunately, this can be fixable by clamping and gluing the affected wood. It is a relatively easy process that can save you money on hiring an expert.
Bifold doors are typically unable to open or close easily. The most likely cause for this is a misalignment in the doors or their pivot pins and guides. This could be caused by an unbalanced door or loose pivot pins or guides and is easy to fix by a little effort.
It is recommended to first examine the runners and tracks for any obstructions or blockages. Leaves, dirt, sand and pet fur, as well as anything else that gets into the running track can cause problems for bifold doors. Cleaning and lubricating your tracks regularly should keep them in good order.
If you notice that a door leans when closed, the door is likely to require trimming. You should use a circular saw because the doors aren't that thick. Be cautious to avoid chipping or cracking the door's veneer while trimming it. To do this, place the door on a solid work bench and draw a line with pencil. Trim the door using a circularsaw along the line.
Another problem that often arises when bifold doors are that the doors will rub against carpeting when they're closed or opened. This can lead to seals becoming less durable, allowing draughts into your home, and decreasing its energy efficiency. This is a simple problem to fix. It is necessary to clean the seals using a non-abrasive solution such as vinegar or mild dish detergent, and then apply silicone sealant to the affected area. The problem should be resolved once the sealant has dried. This will also extend the lifespan of the seals as well as doors.
Doors that are not aligned
If your bifold doors are squeezing or jamming as you try to slide them open or closed, it's a sign that they are out of alignment. This could be a significant risk to the security of your home. As soon as you see this problem, it is important to take action. If you delay repairs, you could cause damage that requires more extensive and costly repair work.
Fortunately that adjusting your bifold door is simple. First, make sure that the track is clean and free of any obstructions. You may need to use a cloth or brush to get rid of dirt or debris that has accumulated over time. After the track is clean then you can lubricate the track with a silicone spray or any other oil to ease the movement of the doors.
Then, you'll have to adjust the pivot brackets to ensure that your doors are in the proper position. The brackets are situated on the top and bottom corners of the frame of the door and are held 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 pulling away from walls you can lower it when you loosen the screws and tighten them again. Continue making small adjustments until your doors are completely aligned.
Also, it's important to make sure that the door frames are secured. If the frame moves a little it could create gaps between the doors, which will allow water and air to get into your home. It could also cause hinges to be misaligned and uneven doors. In this instance you'll have to fix the frame.
Finally, you should also ensure that the doors are aligned with the floor. You'll have to adjust the hinge bolts if they are not in the correct position. This can be accomplished by closing and opening the doors using a spirit level to determine the alignment of each panel, and using a screwdriver to make small adjustments until all of the panels are aligned with the floor.
Shag Carpeting
The bi-fold doors are built to slide up and down, but they may scratch your floor or wall. This usually happens as a result of one or more pivot pins not aligned properly.
This is usually simple to solve. The pivot pin is located at the bottom of the bi-fold door. It is connected to the floor bracket. On top, a spring-mounted retaining pin connects to a sliding bracket that locks into the track. If your bi-fold door rubs against the carpet, just raise it by rotating the pivot pin at the bottom counterclockwise until it is at the right level.
There could be a shagging issue with your bi-fold door if you notice that the track on which they slide is not level. This could be due to shifting weather conditions as well as settling or shifting. If this is the case you can adjust your tracks by loosening the screws that are holding the upper track bracket. Slide it up or down until it is at the same level as the lower track bracket.
A bi-folding door may also be a problem if wood around the pivot pins has cracked. This is a problem many doors have, including bifolds. To fix this, you will need only a tiny amount of carpenter's glue as well as C-clamp. To begin, you must remove the door and remove the pivot pin using the help of a screwdriver. Then, spread bifold door repair over the crack with a toothpick, clamp the door and let it dry for about 3 to 4 hours.
You should always repair your bifold doors by an expert, regardless of how minor or serious the issue. This will prevent any damage to your door and ensure it is working correctly. You can find an expert local to you by going to the website of your door company. They will have a list of installers who have attended their workshops to obtain their certification. Contact them to make an appointment to service your bi-fold door.
Broken Slats
Louvered closet doors allow air to circulate, stop mildew from developing and allow your clothes to see. They can be a great feature in a house, but repairing or replacing them can be a challenge.
Louver doors consist of slats which can be closed and opened to let air, light or rain into the space. They can be made from wood or polyurethane molding and are used to create doors, windows, or even walls. Bifold doors do not all have louvered slats however those that do can be displaced or broken over time.
When a slat fails you may think it's time to get an entirely new door, but this isn't the case. You can repair the damaged slat by using a piece of fabric and carpenters' glue.
Begin by taking the closet door off the track and placing it on the floor or a set of saw horses so that the slats face up. This will allow you to work on the door without damaging the hinges or tracks.
To take a broken slat from the door put a claw-type hammer underneath each slat. Then, jerk the slat to separate it. After the slat is removed, measure the space that it was removed from to determine the length and width of the replacement slat. Once you have these measurements, take an adobe or foam board and cut it to the same length as the area from which the broken slat was removed.
Apply a thick layer of carpenters' glue on the foam/foamboard. Then place the fabric on the back of the board and smooth out wrinkles or creases as you move. Carefully place the slat into the door's opening and attach it using a nail, if necessary. Once the glue has dried it is possible to rehang the bifold closet door.