No home or establishment is complete without doors. The vast number of designs, styles, sizes and materials of doors available today allow us choices like never before. This means finding the right door for your office within the set budget and features might be possible after all.
Once the door is installed, you have to account for its maintenance and repair so that it lasts for a long time. Over time with repeated use, problems like creaking doors, loose or rusty hinges, stuck locks, issues with sensors etc. are likely to arise. These problems cannot be overlooked, especially if it is the front or main door of your office or commercial establishment.
Depending on the type and design of doors, you can expect a few common fixes and repairs down the line. You might need a door repair company in Northampton or wherever you are based to fix some of these problems.
Other fixes could be easy DIY solutions, if you are up for the challenge that is.
Door Repairs for Common Door Problems
Squeaky / Rusty Hinges
Hinges are the part on which the entire door swings as it opens and closes. Problem with the hinges could mean a door that comes loose, becomes a bit lopsided or starts squeaking. Over time, dust and moisture build up on the hinges, and they start to rust.
Frequent or rough use of a door can cause the hinges to come loose, which means the door doesn’t shut firmly. These pivoting points need to be cleaned and lubricated with oil regularly to ensure they continue to function smoothly. Severely rusted hinges need to be replaced, and loose hinges can be secured with new, sturdy rivets sourced from a reputed rivet manufacturer.
Door Swelling
This is a common and frustrating problem with solid wood doors in areas with high humidity or dampness. The wooden door absorbs moisture and swells increasing its chances of getting stuck in the door frame. This issue can also cause the door to not shut securely.
Wooden doors require special maintenance to fix such problems that hinder their functionality. Check to see if there is room for you to sand or plane the outer edges of the door so that it shuts properly. Hire a professional door repair expert to resolve this issue.
3. Warped or Bent Door
Moisture and long-term exposure to water can bend the door out of shape. When this happens, the lock or latches on the door will no longer work. You will need professionals to repair the door and realign the latches and locks.
They will usually apply wood glue and clap the door flat to straighten it. It’s however best to replace the door completely if it is curved beyond repair. Once you install a new door, be sure to schedule timely maintenance to keep the warping issue at bay.
4. Door Doesn’t Fit the Frame
In addition to faulty hinges, there can be other reasons why the door doesn’t fit into the frame. A faulty, swollen, cracked or damaged door frame puts a strain on the hinges and the locks of the door. Any cracks or gaps along the wall and frame can be fixed by applying caulk.
Moreover, sanding off a swollen frame can help flatten the problem surface. For serious damage however, it is ideal to replace the door with a sturdier and more durable alternative.
5. Door Latch Repairs
Door latches are the most important hardware for your wooden door, and if they don’t work properly, they can pose a security risk for your property. Check if this is happening due to door frame problems or a distorted door. Check if the problem goes away by cleaning and lubricating the locking mechanism.
If not, you might need to repair or replace the actual latch. You should be able to do this yourself with a set of screwdrivers and a new latch set. If not, you can always seek professional assistance.
6. Door Hardware Repairs
Door handles, embellishments, screws and locks can all malfunction over time, causing a multitude of problems. It is advisable to regularly clean, lubricate and replace faulty hardware elements to ensure your door functions without any faults.
With locks and latches, if they come loose or are not lubricated enough, they pose a threat to security and safety and need to be addressed immediately. Hardware requirements for commercial doors might differ slightly as it may be more heavy-duty with additional features like a biometric system or security camera installed upfront.
Be sure to work with the right door repair and maintenance company that know its way around such features and installations.
7. Door Stays Open/ Closes on its Own
When the door doesn’t shut when it should, or closes on its own, it could be because of a faulty door jam plumb. If the door jamb wasn’t accurately installed or is out of alignment, it can cause the door to swing shut without being prompted.
This is not ideal and could slowly become a nuisance for users. Seek professional opinion and help to find out what needs to be done to solve the problem for good.
8. Door Bangs on the Wall
When the doors bang on the walls with force, it can damage the door as well as plug holes in the wall behind the door. This is especially true of balcony doors or large terrace doors where a gust of wind can cause them to bang open.
You can solve this problem by installing magnetic door stops. They will prevent the doors from slamming back into the wall, safeguarding the wall and ensuring the longevity of the door.
In Conclusion
Faults and problems with doors can cause you considerable frustration.
Door problems vary depending on when they were installed, not to mention, usage and weather conditions. Most of the repairs are simple to fix with a little help from online videos.
For more crucial repairs, however, it is important to assign the task to seasoned professionals from a reputed door repair company.
They’ll have the means to do the job efficiently so that the repairs endure the test of time.
Image Source: Freepik