French patio doors, especially those with large glass panels, create an elegant and polished appearance in your home. Unfortunately, they are also likely to stick. The sticking is a direct result of swelling in the wood caused by humidity and moisture. If you're struggling with sticky patio doors, you'll want to adjust the doors to restore their movement. Here are a few tips to help you fix the problem and free up the doors without damaging the window glass.
Gather The Tools You Need
Before you start working on the door, you should gather a few supplies to make the process easier. For example, you'll want a screwdriver, carbon paper, fine grit sandpaper, and a roll of masking tape.
Inspect And Address The Door Screws
Look at the screws and hinges on each door. Over time, opening and closing the doors can loosen these screws, causing the door to shift a bit. This can cause it to sit just uneven enough that it could stick. Try tightening the screws on the hinges first. This can secure the door enough to restore its movement.
Check The Locks And The Knobs
Examine the locks and the knobs closely for any signs of play. If either are loose, tighten them right away. At the same time, you need to make a conscious effort to avoid over-tightening them. If you tighten the screws beyond hand-tight, you might strip them or cause the door to bind up.
Find The Areas Where The Door Is Rubbing
If there are more problems in the door's movement, it's time to find the areas where it's rubbing. Use the masking tape to put carbon paper on the door in the areas where you suspect it to be rubbing. The contact paper will leave some color behind in the areas where it does rub, making it easier to spot the problem.
Focus on those areas that leave black residue behind. Use fine grit sandpaper to remove the excess wood in the area. Smooth the edges and then test the door. Repeat the process until you sand away enough for the door to move freely.
If you have French patio doors with large glass window panels, you don't want to pull on the door or struggle with it for fear of breaking the glass. With the tips here, you'll be in a better position to address any potential problems with the door.
