Bi-Fold Door Repair
Whether they are exterior or internal, bifold doors provide flexibility that can be customised to suit any requirement. But, like all other fixtures and fittings, they can be subject to wear and tear.
Fortunately, it's not too difficult to get them back in good shape. With some patience and basic woodworking skills, you can tackle a couple of easy bi-fold door repair projects.
Cracked Corners
Bifold closet doors are usually light, but they are prone to cracking around the pivot points. This typically occurs over time due to the natural deterioration of the wood in your home. Fortunately, this can be repaired by gluing and clamping the affected wood. The procedure is fairly simple and will help you save the expense of hiring a professional to do it for you.
Often, the most common problem with bifold doors is that they cannot open or close smoothly. The most likely reason for this is a misalignment or misalignment of the doors or their pivot pins and guides. This could be caused by the door being slack or having loose pivot pins or guides which are simple to fix it with a bit of effort.
It is important to first inspect the tracks and runners for any obstructions or blockages. Leaves, dirt, and sand could cause problems for bifolding doors. Cleaning and lubricating the tracks frequently will ensure they are in good working order.
Next, if you find that a door is leaning when closed, it probably needs to be trimmed. It is important to use a circular type of saw to accomplish this as the doors aren't particularly thick. Be cautious to avoid chipping or cracking the door's veneer when cutting it. Place the door on a sturdy table and draw an outline with pencil. Cut the door with a circular saw along the line.
A bifold door may cause carpeting to rub when it's opened or closed. This could cause the seals to weaken, letting in draughts and making your home less energy-efficient. This is a simple problem to resolve. You will need to clean the seals using a non-abrasive solution such as vinegar or mild dish detergent and then apply silicone sealant over the affected area. The issue will be solved when the sealant is dry. This will also extend the lifespan of your seals and the doors as a whole.
Doors that aren't aligned
If you have trouble sliding your bifold door closed or open, it could be because they aren't aligned. It could also be a serious security risk for your home. It is essential to address this issue as soon as you notice it. In the event of delaying repairs, it could result in more costly and extensive repair work.
Adjusting the bifold door can be done quite easily. Make sure the track is clear of obstructions and clean. You may need to apply a brush or a cloth to clean any debris or dirt that have accumulated over time. After the track is cleaned, you can use a silicone spray to smooth out the movement of the door.
Then, you'll have to adjust the pivot brackets in order to ensure that your doors are in the proper position. These brackets are located at the top and bottom corners of the frame of the door and are held to the frame using screws. You can raise your door if it is moving along the floor by loosening and tightening the screws after. If your door is pulling away from the walls, you can lower it if you loosen the screws and tighten them later. Keep making small adjustments until your doors are completely aligned.
It's also essential to make sure that the door frames are secured. If the frame moves slightly, it can create gaps between the doors that will allow air and water to get into your home. It could cause hinges to become in alignment and doors to be uneven. In this instance you'll need to secure the frame.
Also, check whether the doors are in line with the floor. If repairing bifold doors must adjust the hinge bolts in order to get them into a correct position. This can be done by closing and opening the doors, using a spirit level to check the alignment of each panel and then using a screwdriver, 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, however they may scrape the floor or wall. This is often caused by one or more pivot pins that aren't aligned correctly.
This is usually simple to fix. A pivot pin is located at the bottom of the bi-fold door and connects to an floor bracket. On top an retaining pin that is mounted on a spring connects to a sliding bracket that locks into the track. If your bifold door gets scratched on the carpet, you can raise it by rotating the pivot pin at the bottom counterclockwise.
The other reason you may have a problem with shagging in your bi-fold doors is that the track they slide on is not level. This could be caused by shifting, settling or weather changes and can cause the bi-fold door to not shut properly. If this is the case, try to adjust the track by loosening the screws that hold the upper track bracket, and sliding it up or down until it is level with the lower track bracket.
Another possibility for the bi-fold door is that the wood has cracked around one or more pivot pins. This is a problem that many doors suffer from, including bifolds. To fix this issue, you'll need only a tiny amount of carpenter's glue and a C-clamp. First, take down the door and pry the pivot pin out with the help of pliers or a screwdriver. Then apply the glue to the crack using a toothpick, clamp the door and let it dry for 3-4 hours.
If the issue with your bi-fold door is a minor or major issue you must have it repaired by a skilled professional. This will prevent any damage to the door and ensure it is operating properly. You can find an expert in your area by visiting the website of the door company. They will have a list of installers who have attended their certification workshop. Contact them to make an appointment for bi-fold doors service.
Broken Slats
Louvered doors to closets let air circulate, stop mildew from developing and make your clothes easy to see. Although they can be a beautiful feature of the home, repairing or replacing them can be a challenge.
Louver doors are made of the slats which open and close to let in light, rain or wind. They are made of polyurethane or wood and used for doors, windows or walls. Bifold doors don't all come with louvered slats, but those that do may be misaligned or even break as time passes.
When a slat breaks you may think it's time to get doors, but it's not necessary. Instead, you can repair the damaged slat with a piece of fabric and carpenters glue.
Begin by removing the closet door from the track and place it on the floor or a set of saw horses in a way that the slats face upwards. This will allow you to work on the closet door without causing damage to the hinges or tracks.
To remove a damaged slat from a door put a claw-type hammer underneath each slat. Then, jerk the slat in order to separate it. 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 these measurements, take the cork/foam board and cut it to the same length as the area where the slat that was damaged was removed.
Apply a thick line of carpenters glue on one side of the foam board. Place the fabric on the back of the board, smoothing any wrinkles and creases that may appear along the way. Place the slat carefully into the door's opening and attach it using nails, if required. Once the glue has dried it is possible to rehang the bifold door to the closet.