Hi there. I need some help. I have a French door leading out onto my front patio. It is easy to open during the winter and spring, but during the summer it is really difficult to close as you really have to push against the door to ensure that the latches catch. I suspect this is due to the door expanding in the heat. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make the door close easier? My in-laws are arriving in two weeks and if they are not able to close the balcony door, I am afraid they might feel like hostages in my home as they will not feel comfortable leaving the door unlocked. Thank you in advance to anyone with an answer.
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- Door expansion.
I have a similar problem with a back garage door in really dry weather, but it's not because of expanding wood in the door - the door actually becomes repositioned in the frame - apparently because the ground shrinks and swells, slightly moving the house. There's also a crack in the brick that opens and closes. To make the latch match up to the striker plate when this happens, I had to buy an oversized striker plate with a larger hole.
If the binding problem is not severe, you might try something to reduce the drag where it's binding. I like to rub on parafin wax. It is inert and harmless to paint, people and pets.
If the problem is severe, you might have to have one or both doors "shaved" where the bind is.
If it's a seasonal HOUSE shifting, like mine, you can still probably help it by using the methods described above or worst case - by having the house "firmed" up underneath.
If the binding problem is not severe, you might try something to reduce the drag where it's binding. I like to rub on parafin wax. It is inert and harmless to paint, people and pets.
If the problem is severe, you might have to have one or both doors "shaved" where the bind is.
If it's a seasonal HOUSE shifting, like mine, you can still probably help it by using the methods described above or worst case - by having the house "firmed" up underneath.
