Aluminum sliding doors can be located in various sections of a house or any building for that matter. Sliding doors are usually large panels of glass that run along a track as opposed to doors that swing on hinges. Another noticeable difference is that they have latches instead of locks. They add elegance to your home or building and give you a good view of the surroundings. However, the most common problem you?ll have with them is sticking. We?ll address this issue and others related to it as we go along.

Fixing Sticky Sliding Doors

In order to fix a sticking aluminum sliding door you?ll need a few cleaning materials. You?ll need a vacuum cleaner, rags, denatured alcohol, paraffin wax, screw drivers, and stick-on weather stripping.

The first step to fix a sticky aluminum sliding door is to inspect the track. The problem can be caused by anything that can get caught in between the railing. Look for dirt, pebbles, leaves, mildew, and other possible impediments. Another thing that you should be looking out for is dents on the railings themselves.

If there is a lot of dirt stuck there you can vacuum the dirt away. Put a few drops of denatured alcohol on a rag and wipe any mildew off the railing. Next, rub some paraffin wax along the tracks to make them slide easier. You should also examine the weather stripping. You can apply stick-on weather stripping if needed. Be sure to clean the aluminum frame using a rag sprayed with some denatured alcohol before you apply the stick-on weather stripping.

Latch Alignment

Another problem that you might encounter with an aluminum sliding door is that the latch won?t catch properly or it just won?t latch on at all. You can be sure that the latch mechanism is out of alignment if that is the case.

The first thing you should do with this kind of problem is to remove the screws using the appropriate type of screwdrivers. Once you have that disassembled, align the mount properly and then screw it back on.

Tips

The best way to fix aluminum sliding doors is to prevent any type of problem before anything occurs. Be sure to clean the sliding doors at least on a weekly basis. You should vacuum the track regularly to get rid of anything that can get stuck in them. This will also prevent any build up of any junk in that area.

You can get a hose attachment for your vacuum designed to fit into small nooks to make cleaning more efficient. In case you?ve done all you can or you discover damage on the rollers or on the track you should seek professional help to replace the damaged parts like nylon rollers, glass, or aluminum.

Many people prefer to buy a prehung door for their house because it is very easy to install and takes very little time to do. Unlike regular doors, it comes with hinges and frame. Instead of buying a separate trim, jamb and door, more time and money can be saved by learning how to install a prehung door.

Materials Needed

For this moderate task, prepare several materials including a hammer, finish nails and wood putty. Aside from these, you will need a measuring tape, a carpenter?s square and wooden shims. To check if the door is properly in place, bring in a level.

Steps

For a one-piece-jamb style door, get the measuring tape and then use it to take the height and width of the rough opening. Aside from this, you also need to measure the wall?s thickness. Once you have taken all the right measurements, bring them to the nearest lumberyard or home improvement center. Buy a door that can fit these measurements perfectly.

Put the door at the opening. Get the wooden shims and use them to hold the door in place. Hammer 6d finish nails halfway through the hinge-side shims and jamb. By doing this, the unit will be attached temporarily to the surrounding frame. Close the door and be sure that the gaps surrounding it are all even.

When necessary, try adjusting the shims. Get 6d nails and then use them to attach the different sides of the jamb. The shims that go beyond the door must be trimmed off. At the outside of the frame, put the casing molding using 4d finish nails. Use a nail set to countersink the nails and then use the wood putty to fill the holes.

For a door with split-style jamb, put the first half of the jamb first. This process is just like a standard prehung door. From the other side of the door, slowly slip the other half. Get the stop molding and then use it to cover the joint found in between the jambs. Use the nail set to countersink the nail heads. Use the wood putty to fill the holes. After these, you can paint or stain the door depending on the color you want.

Additional Facts and Other Helpful Information

A split-jamb style door is suitable for structures with leaning walls. Likewise, it can also be used to hide door openings that are out of square. Whenever possible, purchase a door with locksets and a doorknob. This can actually save you a lot of money.

When a door just won?t open, there?s no need to break it down. All it would take is dismantling its handle and piecing it back together. The key to fixing a faulty door is in knowing how to fix a door handle.

If a door handle had been screwed on too tightly, there are two typical problems that could result from this. The first problem is that the backplate which supports the handle would pinch the door as well as the latch or lock, which would stop the spring within the lock from functioning properly. The second problem that an over-tightened door handle can cause is that it can produce friction on the spring within the backplate. In order to set things right, the screws holding the handle should be slightly loosened a quarter of a turn each. Test the handle to see if it is working normally. If not, slacken the screws some more.

The internal springs present in most door handles should be lubricated properly to keep it from grinding against the backplate?s inners. In order to inspect the handle for grinding, remove it first from the door. Then holding the backplate on one hand, the lever is operated with the other hand to check if it grinds. If it does, daub the spring with a bit of either petroleum jelly or grease. The handle is then moved a few times to work the grease or jelly into the spring mechanism. If all goes well, the handle should be freely moving and is ready to be refitted back into the door.

There are certain door handles that have a long neck inside where the square spindle bar is located. These may sometimes bind next to the door, keeping the handle from turning back to its usual position. To fix this, the handle should be removed from the door and laid on the table. Normally, the handle should lie flat, but if it rocks, it means that the neck is overhanging further than the backplate. A hole will have to be drilled on each side of the door which would be big and deep enough to permit the backplate to flatly rest onto the door.

There are some doors which had been fitted with really cheap door latches just to save money while building the door. It would be very easy for the spring mechanism in such cheaply-made door handles to fail. To see to this problem, the handle is removed from the door and the latch is pulled out. The latchbolt is then pressed using one?s own finger to see if it would spring back out. If it does not fully spring out or if it is too slow in doing so, the latch should be replaced with a new one having the same size but with a much higher quality.

A door in a new house, or even a new door that had just been hung, would occasionally drop after sometime. When this occurs, the latchbolt would bind adjacent to the keep plate. One would be able to notice this from the scrapes and abrasions that would appear on the keep plate and even on the latchbolt. To solve the problem, one would merely have to slightly reposition the keep plate a bit lower along the door frame.

Though it is the smallest visible part of the door, the handle is actually its most intricate component. Learning how to fix a door handle entails taking it apart and familiarizing oneself with its inner workings in order to diagnose the problem and know how to repair it accordingly.

Gates are made from highly durable materials, one of the most common of which is steel. This material is commonly used because of its strength and durability. However, just like other types of gate, this specific kind of gate can still suffer from damages especially after longer time of use. Be able to solve different kinds of problems involving your gates by learning how to fix a steel gate.

Materials Needed

This moderately challenging task requires a number of important materials such as a screwdriver, hammer and stainless steel crews. Likewise, you also need a wire brush, a surface liquid prep designed for steel alloys and handheld propane torch.

Steps

One of the common problems affecting steel gates is sagging. For this kind of damage, you need to check the post for hinge screws that are coming out. In case, you see some, you must reinstall them to solidify the gate in place. Check the bottom hinge connecting the gate to the post. Remove the screws one by one. After this, remove the screws at the top hinge. With this, you can now remove the steel gate from the post.

If some of the parts are broken and out of place, you can weld them back in their original positions. Get the wire brush and then use it to clean the damaged areas. Apply the special liquid prep on the surface. Get the propane torch and then use it to heat up the steel alloy rod and the damaged part you are reconnecting. After liquefying these parts, leave them to dry for some time.

Get a new hinge and then attach the top part of the gate first. Put the screws on one by one. After installing the top hinge, it is now time to put the lower hinge. To do this, simply put the screws on until the gate is firmly in the right position. When enough space between the upper and lower hinges is still available, add a third hinge at the middle to ensure that it will sag no more.

Use the level to check if the position of the game is okay. Put it across the top part of the gate. If is not okay, you may want to make the necessary adjustments.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

In case the gate still sags, it is good to put a turnbuckle tension rod to connect the opposite corners of the frame. The reason for this is to support and straighten the posts of the gate.

The patio is an open space found outdoors, which people use to dine outdoors. Aside from this, it is also used for recreational purposes, especially for children who love to play under the sun. Its base is made out durable materials like cement mortar, sharp sand and compacted stone chips. Above the base, the materials commonly used are stone slabs or concrete. At the entrance, you can make the place more attractive by adding a door. To do this, it is important to learn how to install patio doors.

Materials Needed

This moderate task requires a number of materials. Amongst the most important are the hammer, measuring tape and a pre-hung patio door. Aside from these items, prepare wooden shims, a level and a set of nails. For this, you will also need caulk as well as fiberglass insulation.

Steps

Start by measuring the size of the open space where the door is to be placed. Measure the length starting from one stud to the other. Likewise, measure the space between the lintel, which is the top part of the opening, and the floor. You need these details to buy a new door. Go to any nearby hardware store and then buy one, preferably with a matching color as the overall design of the place.

Be sure that the door will perfectly fit the frame. If you want to be sure about this, purchasing a pre-hung door is better. This unit is made up of a frame with a door attached to it. Aside from this, it is also good to consider buying a door that is pre-drilled, which is easier to install.

Remove the old frame and the door. Get the pre-hung unit and then slide it in place. Put it on the center starting with the bottom part. Once in place, the door must swing out easily. Get the hammer and then pound a nail to hold the unit in place temporarily. For every jamb, try to put at least three nails. Do not hammer the entire nails through yet because you may need to adjust the door later.

Check the spacing in every jamb. Be sure that every side has equal space between the jamb and the studs. If this is not equal, try to move the door and adjust it depending on the spacing needed. Use the level to check if the position of the door is balanced. Put on the permanent nails as well as the screws for the hinges. Do not forget to remove the temporary nails you placed used earlier. For the joints between the walls and trim, apply some caulking to make it weatherproof.

Hinges allow doors to function properly. However, they can be damaged after longer use. In case this happens, they create a squeaking sound, which of course can be very annoying. This is actually just a moderately easy task, which eliminates the need to avail the services of professionals. You can solve these problems without spending too much by learning how to fix door hinges.

Materials Needed

You only need a few simple materials to accomplish this moderately easy job. Basic materials include a knife, a small piece of wood and a screwdriver. Proper lubrication can be provided by a graphite lubricant or light oil. In case you have these items, you can proceed right away with this task.

Steps

A loose door hinge can be fixed by removing the screws first. A Phillips-head or a flathead screwdriver is enough to remove them. This will leave the holes exposed. Get the knife and then use it to whittle a small wood. Make the stick slightly bigger than the holes. The front part of the stick must be tapered. Hammer it right into the hole. At the edge of the hole, break the stick. Do the same thing to the other holes.

Check if the door hinge needs to be replaced. If not, screw it back in place. You can now create new thread holes, which produce a solid grip once you re-attach the screws back in place. This is actually enough to fix the loose hinges.

In case the door hinges create squeaking sounds, this problem can be fixed by pulling out the pin that connects the hinge in one piece. Lubricate it with a graphite lubricant or light oil. Do the same thing to the pivoting points of the hinge. Put the hinge back to a single piece and then re-attach the pin. Before you reconnect the pin, check it first if there is any tear or damage. Once it is sloppy or weak, it will cause a drag when opening or closing the door. If this is the problem, replace the pin right away with a new one.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

If the standard slotted screws needs to be replaced, you can use new Phillips-head screws. At the doorjamb side of the hinges, you can replace one with a longer screw. This can prevent the hinges from getting floppy or loose. Instead of wood, a golf tee can also be used. Just dip the tee into wood glue and then push it through the hole. Wait for the glue to dry up and then cut the excess part. Do the same thing to the other holes.

Before you repair a garage door, set it in the down position. You can do this with the lock. This will keep it from accidentally going up.

Required Tools and Materials

Safety goggles
Ladder
Wrench (1/2”, open end)
Wrench (7/16” open end)
Locking pliers
Garage door springs
Winding bars (1/2” round steel, 18” long)
A helper

Step 1

Detach the garage door opener using the safety rope. Wear your goggles and ready the ladder. If there are 2 torsion springs, unwind the one that still works.

Step 2

Put the ladder below the winding cone of the spring (the one not broke). The cone is usually directed away from the door’s middle. Start to repair a garage door by putting a winding bar in the cone hole. Press the bar in the roof’s direction.

Step 3

Put some pressure on the winding bar. Get the 7/16”. Remove the screws on the winding cone until you can move the spring. Unwind the torsion spring (both winding bars). The turn intervals should be 1/4. Take out one bar with the winding bar in the cone.

Step 4

Get the ½” wrench. Take out the bolts at the torsion springs (near the middle of the door). Set the ladder to the red cable drum. Let go of the screws. Repeat on the black cable drum. Take out the torsion tube and assembly.

Step 5

With the tube removed, you can proceed to repair a garage door. Remove the drums. Take out the torsion springs off too. Remember the setup of the cable drums and the springs. Put in the replacement garage door springs. Install the cable drums onto the tube. Get 10 inches on both ends of the tube. Secure the springs’ screws and the drums.

Step 6

Put the torsion tube in the red bearing and center plates (you’ll need someone to help you here). Put the torsion spring to the middle bearing plate. Fasten the bolts to the stationary cone and the middle plate. Secure them tightly.

Step 7

Put the ladder below the red cable drum. As you repair a garage door, you’ll need to set the cable from the bottom bracket to the cable drum. Lock it.

Step 8

Put some tension on the drum (this is where the cable is tightened). Lock the screws on. Hold the drum and cable and fasten in the pliers to the tube. The leverage should be against your house. Repeat this procedure for the other cable. With tension on the drums, put in the set screws.

Step 9

Put the ladder under one of the torsion springs. Use the winding bars and 7/16” wrench to fasten in the screws.

Step 10

Remove the lock from the garage door. Don’t open the door too fast. Adjust the spring turns if needed. Open and close the door a few times. If it’s okay, you can start using the garage door opener again.

Understanding how to repair a garage door is a complex matter. Make sure you and your helper know how to use these tools before attempting this.

To build a screen door, begin by getting the dimensions of your door. This will allow you to get the right amount of equipment and materials for the job.

Required Tools and Materials

Circular saw
Utility knife
3/4-inch chisel
1-inch brads
1×1 lumber (cleats)
Several C clamps
Spade bits
Tape measure
Screen door hardware
Polyurethane glue
Square
Glue brush
5/4 lumber (with a 1 ¼” frame)
1/4 x 3/4 screen molding
Staple gun
Several staples
Drill
Paint

Step 1

After cutting the boards to the desired length, slice the half lap joints. Put in a board on the jig to make cutting easier. Slice to half the thickness of the board. Take out everything between the cut lines. As you build a screen door, you’ll need to smoothen the joints with the chisel. Repeat the process for all the boards.

Step 2

Place the boards together without attaching them; just check if the pieces fit. If they fit, put on some polyurethane glue on the joints. Use the glue brush to apply them. Join the pieces using the C clamps. Make sure the joints are square. Check the door diagonals; the length should be similar. Allow the glue to dry.

Step 3

Install the cleats. Get the staples and staple the screen on the door’s face. But those who build a screen door can recess it too. To make the screen recess, glue and nail ¾” x ¾” cleats on the 5/4 wood frame. Make certain it is flush with the door’s insides.

Step 4

Now you can paint the wood or varnish it. Whichever you choose, give it time to dry. Note: apply the paint or varnish before installing the screen.

Step 5

Put the screen door on blocks. Clamp it in the middle of the door. Roll the screening on the entire door. Staple it at the rails of the door top and bottom. Be certain there is no slack. When you build a screen door, you’ll want it to be as tight as possible.
 
Staple the screening on the vertical pieces and the internal frame. Cut off any excess screening with a knife. Put some screen molding over the staples to hide them. Just put them over the screen channel.

Step 6

To install the screen door hardware, use a face mounted spring hinge. It should have a handle fastened on both sides of the screen door. Put the screen door at the door opening. Connect the hinges on the trim adjacent to the main door. Join a metal handle by screwing it on the wood of the screen. Install a lock if you want.

Tips and Warnings

Put goggles on when you cut the boards with the circular saw. Always use a tape measure to get the screen dimensions right. Different adhesives have different drying times; follow the one specified by the glue you are using.

If you’re going to build a screen door, always use galvanized hinges. This ensures your screen doesn’t make noises when it’s opened.

Replacing cabinet door knobs sometimes become an issue for a lot of people. One of the issues that come along with this problem is knob placement. Cabinet knobs are an important part of your furniture thus the concern for those who have loose or damaged knobs. They are fairly easy to install but will require some careful work. Just remember to use the right tools and follow a template.

Materials and Tools

You’ll need the following items when installing cabinet door knobs. You need knobs, a drill along with different kinds of drill bits, a ruler, pencil, and paper. These tools can usually be found in the house. However, you should still wear protective gear when working on this project.

Measurement and Preparation Tips

The first step to install cabinet door knobs is to measure your drawers and cabinet doors. Pay special attention to their thickness of the panel you are to install your door knobs. This will also give you a hint as to the size of the screws you should buy and use. When you’re done taking measurements you can now purchase and prepare the right sized cabinet door knobs along with the correct screws and drawer pulls.

Installing Cabinet Door Knobs

The first and usually the primary concern of some people is how to position a knob. You don’t want to drill any holes in the wrong places. You don’t want to add more damage to a cabinet than there already is. A good tip is to use reusable adhesive and attach it to the end of the knob that will be screwed on to the drawer.

Adhesives like sticky clay can be wiped clean off your drawer when you’re done. With this you can stick your knob on the drawer. After which you can check whether you like to keep it in that location or to move it elsewhere easily without damaging or punching holes on the cabinet.

After that, mark the spot where you want to put your knob. Then drill a hole where you placed your mark. After that you can insert a screw from the inside of the drawer or cabinet and attach it to the knob. To attach the knob turn it clockwise against the screw.

You can now tighten the cabinet door knob onto your drawer. After that you can test if your installation works just fine. Do the same procedure for the rest of knobs or pulls you want to install.

Reminders

Make sure to check your measurements, which means you might want to do them twice and compare the results. When you drill your holes open the door or drawer to make sure you are drilling the hole properly. Always use the right sized drill bit. Use washers if your screws are too long or don’t have shorter screws.