Bi-Fold Door Repair
Whether they are external or internal, bi-fold doors offer a degree of flexibility that can be tailored to meet any need. Like all fixtures and fittings they can be susceptible to wear and tear.
Fortunately, it's not too difficult to get them back in good shape. You can fix your bi-fold doors using a bit of patience and basic woodworking skills.
Cracked Corners
Bifold doors are usually light and may crack near the pivot points on the top and bottom. This is typically caused by the natural deterioration of wood. Fortunately, this can be repaired by gluing and clamping the affected wood. The procedure is fairly simple and will save you the expense of hiring a professional do the job for you.
Bifold doors are often unable to open or close smoothly. This is typically caused by a misalignment of the guides or pivot pins of bifold doors. This can be caused either by a door that is sliding or pins and guides being loose. It's an easy fix.
It is important to first inspect the tracks and runners for obstructions or blockages. Leaves, dirt, and sand could cause problems for a bifolding door. Cleaning and lubricating the tracks frequently will ensure they are in good working order.
If bi-fold door repair notice that a door leans when closed, the door will likely require trimming. It is important to use a circular kind of saw to do this since the doors aren't that thick. You should also be careful to avoid damaging or chipping the door veneer when trimming it. To do this, put the door on a sturdy work bench and draw an outline with pencil. Cut the door with a circularsaw along the line.
A bifold door can also cause carpeting to rub when opened or closed. This can cause seals to degrade and allow in drafts, making your home less energy efficient. This is a straightforward issue to solve. All you have to do is clean the seals using an non-abrasive solution like vinegar or mild dishwashing detergent and then apply a silicone sealant on the damaged area. After the sealant is dry, the problem should be resolved. This will also extend the longevity of your seals as well as the doors as a whole.
Misaligned Doors
If you are having trouble getting your bifold door closed or open it could be because they are not aligned. It could also be an alarming security risk for your home. When you notice this problem, it is important to take action. In the event of delaying repairs, it could result in damage that will require more extensive and expensive repair work.
Fortunately the adjustment of your bifold door is relatively easy. First, ensure that the track is clean and free of obstructions. You may have to employ a brush or cloth to remove dirt or debris that has built up over time. After the track has been cleaned, you can use the spray of silicone to lubricate the track and smooth the movement of the door.
You will then need to adjust the pivot brackets in order to get your doors in the proper position. These are located on the top and bottom of the door frame, and are joined by screws. You can raise your door if it is sliding across the floor by loosening and tightening the screws after. If your door is pulling away from the walls you can lower it when you loosen the screws and tighten them later. Continue making small adjustments until the doors are perfectly aligned.
It's also essential to ensure that the door frames are secured. If the frame is moved a little, it can cause gaps between the door that allow air and moisture to enter. This could also cause the hinges to become misaligned and result in uneven doors. In this instance you'll have to fix the frame.
Finally, you should also make sure whether the doors are aligned with the floor. If they are not then you must adjust the hinge bolts to bring them into a correct position. This can be accomplished by closing and opening the doors, using a spirit level to determine the alignment of each panel, and then using a screwdriver to make small adjustments until all of the panels are aligned with the floor.
Shag Carpeting
Bi-fold doors are made to slide up and down, however they may scratch your wall or floor. This is usually the result of one or more pivot pins not aligned properly.
This issue is usually easy to fix. A pivot pin is located at the bottom of the bi-fold door and engages with the floor bracket. At the top the spring-mounted retaining pin engages a sliding bracket that locks into the track. If your bi-fold door rubs against the carpet, just raise it by turning the bottom pivot pin counterclockwise until it reaches the correct level.
The other reason you may have a problem with shagging in your bi-fold doors is that the track that they slide on is not level. This can be caused by shifting, settling, or changes in weather and could cause the bi-fold door to not close properly. If this is the case, try to adjust your tracks by loosening the screws that are holding the upper track bracket, and sliding it up and down until it is level with the bottom track bracket.
A bi-folding door may also have issues if the wood around the pivot pins has cracked. This is a problem that many doors suffer from, including bifolds. To fix this issue, you'll require a small amount of carpenter's adhesive and a C-clamp. To begin, take off the door and remove the pivot pin with the help of a screwdriver. Spread the glue using a toothpick across the crack, then clamp the door and allow it to dry for 3 to 4 hours.
Whether your problem with your bi-fold door is minor or major the door should be repaired by a skilled professional. This will prevent damage to your door and ensure it is operating properly. You can locate an expert in your area by visiting the website of your door company. They will have a list of installers who have attended their training workshops for certification. Then, give them a call to set up your bifold door repair appointment.
Broken Slats
Louvered closets allow air to circulate and deter mildew. They also make it easier to view your clothes. They can be a wonderful feature for a home, but the task of repairing or replacing them can be daunting.
Louver doors are made up of slats which open and close in order to let light, rain or air into the room. They're often constructed of polyurethane or wood and are often used in doors, windows or walls. Bifold doors do not all have louvered slats but those that do could be misaligned or even break over time.
You may believe that you should replace the door after a slat is broken. However, this is not necessary. Instead, you can fix the broken slat using a piece of fabric and carpenters glue.
Begin by removing the door from the track. Place it on the floor, or on a set of horses, so that the slats face upwards. You'll want to work on the door with it in this manner to avoid damaging or breaking the tracks or hinges.
To take a broken slat from the door, place a claw-type of hammer underneath each slat. Then, jerk up the slat until it is separated. Once the slat is removed, measure the area from where it was removed to get the width and length required for the replacement slat. Once you have these measurements, take an adobe or foam board and cut it to the same length as the area where the slat broke was removed.
Apply a thick layer of carpenters' glue to the foam/foamboard. Place the fabric on the back of the board, smoothing any wrinkles and creases along the way. Place the slat carefully into the slot in the door and attach it using nails, if needed. When the glue has dried it is possible to rehang your bifold closet door.