DIY-Repairs.com

A threshold is where different kinds of flooring meet together beneath a doorway. This can refer to tile or wood meeting carpet or another kind of surface. It functions not only to give you a nice, finished look to the edges, but also to give you safe footing. While thresholds may also come in stone or metal, the most common material used for them is wood. This is also the type that needs to be replaced for many reasons, such as damage, warping, or pure age. If you intend to replace a threshold with a new one due to any of these reasons, it is actually not a very complicated task, but you will need to know the basics in order to make sure you wind up with the finish that you want.

Step 1. Gather the materials you will need for the project: a hammer, a pry bar, measuring tape, a hand drill, and nails or screws to set the new threshold in place. Making sure you have everything at hand will ensure you save time, especially since you will be putting your home at risk if you do not finish installing the new threshold, and consequently, the new door, before sundown. As such it is best to start work early in the day.

Step 2. For thresholds that are not inserted under the doorframe, use the pry bar to loosen it and then lift it out. For those that are attached under the doorframe, first remove the nails; then use the hammer to bang against the threshold from underneath the doorframe. Alternatively, you can cut the threshold into half and bang it out of place.

Step 3. Clean up the dust and sawdust as well as other debris. Make measurements of your new door opening, and trim your new threshold according to the measurements. If your old threshold was flat and you plan to use a new threshold with a sloping or rising surface, it might require trimming the doorstop or the doorway. This extra task will give you room for the new shape of the threshold. Of course, it also takes much more time, but in the end, the finished work will show you it was worth the time and effort you spent trimming the doorstop or doorway.

Step 4. Use your hand drill to make holes on the threshold before you nail it into place. This is because thresholds are mostly constructed of hard wood, making it extremely difficult to nail through it. This pre-drilling process makes sure you get your nails through the threshold with no trouble.

Step 5. Set the new threshold into place, checking to see it is lined up properly. Nail it into place with screws or nails that are at least one or two inches longer than the thickness of the wood on the threshold.

Step 6. Sand your new threshold using fine grit sandpaper and proceed with your choice of finishing, whether you plan to varnish, stain, or paint the threshold. This gives your work that finished and highly professional look.

A loose doorknob is not only a frustrating thing to deal with every so often, when it spins in your hand instead of opening the door, but it also poses a security hazard. What do you do when an emergency requires you to leave the house immediately, and the door poses a hindrance? Perhaps you have tried to tighten the screws of the doorknob set, and find, to your dismay, that it still becomes loose after a week. This problem usually happens when the set screw has loosened up, failing to give enough pressure on the threaded spindle. This usually comes about when a doorknob is worn out from use. Thankfully there is a way you can fix this kind of problem without needing to replace the entire doorknob set, by using a thread-locker, or a special blue compound that will ease your doorknob issues.

Step 1. First, you will need to remove the doorknob. This is an easy task, as you will simply need to loosen one or perhaps two set screws that are holding it in place against the spindle. From there, unscrew the doorknob from the spindle.

Step 2. As soon as you have removed the doorknob from the spindle, remove the set screws. Be sure to work in a clean work area and carefully set the screws aside.

Step 3. The next step will require you to apply the thread-locker to the set screws. Thread-locker typically comes in two colors, red and blue. The red thread-locker is permanent, while the blue is removable. Interestingly, the two types are typically packaged in the same blue-color packaging, so be sure you get the blue thread locker, as the permanence of the red thread-locker will call for 450 degrees of heat if you ever need to remove it. Purchase the medium strength blue thread-locker; this type may be easily removed using hand tools. To start applying, shake the container first. Then apply it relatively sparingly to the screw threads, keeping the plastic bottle tip from touching the surface of the screws. The compound will cure between the threads and form a one-piece assembly that technically “locks” together.

Step 4. Once you have applied the thread-locker to the set screws, reinstall them, lightly screwing the screws into the doorknob for only a few turns, just enough to get them held in place.

Step 5. Reinstall the doorknob, noting the orientation of the flat surfaces of the spindle, making sure it matches that of the set screws. When you are screwing the knob onto the spindle, stop the screwing motion once the set screw already gets into proper orientation. Fully thread the knob onto the spindle, but be sure to avoid over-tightening the knob. Once your doorknob is back in place, you can continue using it and enjoy knowing that it will never loosen again.

There’s no doubt that fiberglass doors are very strong and durable. However, just like any other material, fiberglass can be exposed to factors that can cause to acquire damages like scratches or cracks. Cracks most especially can make your fiberglass door look unsightly, but fortunately, cracks can be easily repaired with the use of special solutions. When working with fiberglass doors, preparation is important if you are to come up with a smooth finish. It’s actually not too difficult to repair a damaged fiberglass door.

As long as you have the necessary materials needed for the job, you can definitely get the job done yourself. The tool and materials you need for a fiberglass door DIY repair include fiberglass patching fabric, fiberglass mat, resin, grinder, solvent, tape, cutter, and roller. For a step by step guide into repairing damaged fiberglass door, refer below:

Step 1. The first step into repairing fiberglass door is to evaluate the damage. Once the damage needs immediate fixing, you will need to cut the damaged portion out. Use your grinder and cut out the area that has been damaged.

Step 2. After cutting out the damaged glass, clean the hole thoroughly by getting rid of dirt and debris using cleaning solvents. Small particles may prevent the bond from sticking properly when you apply it later on.

Step 3. Next, apply some paste wax around the hole. Once you apply resin to the hole, it will have a tendency to bond with the door’s exterior and create some mess, making your door look ugly. At the same time, screw or tape a waxed backer at the bottom part of the hole to create a stable surface once you begin the patching. See to it that you create a smooth finish so that it matches with the rest of the fiberglass.

Step 4. Get the measurement of the hole and cut a piece of mat and fiberglass fabric based on its size. For best results, use two layers of both the mat and the fabric and layer them up alternately. Four is the ideal number of layers you should use to fill up the hole so make sure you estimate correctly and not lay more than four layers of mat and fabric.

Step 5. Using epoxy resin, secure the fabric and mat inside the hole by patching them up. If possible, use laminating resin since it makes a stronger bond than other types of resin. If you are using a type of epoxy resin that needs a catalyst to harden it, just follow directions provided by the manufacturer. To get rid of bubbles in the resin, run a resin roller on the surface.

Step 6. To finish the job, you will have to remove the wax backer. Check your work for any imperfection and correct them by filling them with gelcoat. You would want the fixed area to be seamless so make sure you sand it down afterwards. Check your work again and perform necessary fixes if needed. Otherwise, your work is complete.

Sunroom windows are essential to any home as they provide natural light to rooms. Since they are made mostly by glass and wood, they need a lot of care and maintenance. However, no matter how good you take care of your sunroom, accidents happen that may cause windows to get cracked or broken. Not only are broken windows unsightly to look at, but can also be the cause of other problems like leaks especially during rainy seasons. The good thing is that sunroom windows are not that difficult to fix when they get broken or damaged. When installing replacement windows for the sunroom you will need a pair of safety gloves and goggles, a measuring tape, a screwdriver, a masking tape, a sealant, a caulk gun, a hammer, and a scraper. Prepare these things first before attempting to begin your work. Meanwhile, here are the steps you need to take in order to successfully replace a broken sunroom window.

Step 1. Take your measuring tape and measure the dimension of the area that needs to be fixed. Based on the measurements you get, buy a glass replacement for your window. When choosing glass, select one with the same quality and thickness as the ones you are currently using in your sunroom.

Step 2. Before removing a cracked or broken piece of glass, apply masking tape diagonally on the glass to avoid pieces from falling out and injuring you. If the glass is badly damaged and there are already pieces lying on the floor, get rid of the pieces on the floor first before removing the rest of the glass. Don’t forget to wear your safety gloves before working to avoid cutting yourself.

Step 3. Using your screwdriver, loosen the screws that are holding the trim of the frame in place. Work by removing one screw at a time until the entire trim is loose enough to be removed. There are cases that the trim is nailed in place so you will have to pry it off using a pry bar if necessary.

Step 4. Remove the old sealant form the window frame using either your screwdriver or a scraper. Get rid of all the old sealant and caulking, making sure not to damage the frame at the same time.

Step 5. Once the trim and the old sealant have been removed, you can then remove the glass. Push the glass slowly from the outside until it is loosened from the window frame. You can also tap the glass gently with your palm if pushing it doesn’t work.

Step 6. When the entire glass has been removed, apply caulk to the window frame next using your caulk gun.

Step 7. Next, insert the replacement glass into the frame carefully. Once the glass is set in place, leave it for five minutes and wait for the sealant to dry. After being sure that the sealant has dried completely, install the trim back into place. Now your sunroom window is as good as new. Perform regular checkup in your sunroom to check for broken glass or damaged frames. By doing this, you will be able to enjoy your sunroom for a very long time.

It’s quite unfortunate to have one of the glass panes in your French door to be broken. French doors can be pretty expensive, so you can say that fixing it when it gets broken can be expensive as well. You’re lucky, though, because broken glass panes are quite easy to fix even if they belong to an expensive type of door. Removing and replacing a broken glass pane can be done by a single person, and if you can follow these steps carefully, there’s no need for you to hire a professional. These steps are applicable if you are fixing one or two glass panes. However, if you are fixing a large piece of glass, you will have to remove the door from its frame and lay it on the floor and work from there.

Step 1. Prepare the supplies you will need in order to get the job done. You will need a pair of safety goggles to protect your eyes, a pair of working gloves, a hammer, a putty knife, some window putty, masking tape, glazier points, and some replacement glass.

Step 2. Make sure to put on your safety gloves and goggles before starting. If there are any kids in the house, you might want to ask them to stay away from the working area until you’re finished. Next, check whether the glass that needs to be fixed is completely shattered or simply has a crack on it. If the glass is shattered into pieces, see to it that you gather all the pieces and get rid of them. If the problem is a crack, put some masking tape all across the area to hold the glass together. This will prevent the glass from shattering into the floor when you start to remove it. Now, to remove the broken glass, tap it using your hammer. Gently remove all the pieces and set them aside to throw later. To make sure there are no little pieces of glass lying on the floor, sweep the area clean.

Step 3. There will probably be some old glazier points and glazing putty left from where the glass once had been. Remove all these excess using your putty knife. If you find that there is a frame that holds the broken glass, you will have to remove it as well. Scrape old varnish or paint as well to smoothen the surface.

Step 4. Make an adhesive for the replacement glass by taking a tiny amount of putty and working it in your hands until it becomes soft. Apply the putty to the frame and smooth it using your putty knife or your fingers.

Step 5. Insert the replacement glass into the pane. To hold the glass in place while installing it, place glazier points on both sides of the opening. Check if the glass is properly aligned. Next, take the wooden frame and put it back in place. You can tap it gently with your hands or a hammer and secure it using small nails.

Most window frames are made by wood, and in the long run, wood can get rotten with constant exposure to moisture and other environmental factors. If a frame to one of your windows is damaged, the easiest way to deal with it is by means of replacing it. There is no point in trying to fix a window frame that is either damaged or rotten, so to make things a lot easier for you, get rid of the old frame and install a new one. When purchasing a replacement frame, make sure that it matches perfectly with the old frame so that it blends with the rest of the frames in your house. This guide is designed to help you replace a broken window frame with a new frame that is ready-to-install:

Step 1. Prepare the tools and materials you will need for the project. You will need a hammer, a flat bar, eight pieces of penny nails, a level, wooden shims, and some insulation tape.

Step 2. Depending on the style of your window, you will have to remove it first before starting to fix the broken frame. Once the window have been successfully taken out of the frame, force the old frame out using a flat bar and a hammer. Even if only one side of the frame is damaged, you will need to remove the entire frame out. Clear the opening from dirt and debris that might obstruct the installation of the new frame.

Step 3. Take the new frame and carefully insert it into the window opening. If the frame is too heavy for you, use some shims to help you hold the frame up while you are moving it. When the new frame has been set up in place, use a level to make sure it is level on all sides. This is also the time to reinsert the sashes or glass into the new frame. If you reinsert them later on, you will practically have a difficult time nailing the new frame in place since it will have more tendency to tilt when being nailed without the sashes or glass installed in place.

Step 4. Secure the new frame to the window opening by driving finishing nails into the each of the sides using your hammer. See to it that the nails are evenly placed along the sides. A good rule of the thumb is to place the nails 12 inches apart for a distance of four feet.

Step 5. After setting the new window frame in place, look for gaps between it and the window opening. Fill the gaps with insulation tape to prevent air from passing freely through them. Proper insulation of windows is an effective way to conserve energy on cooling and heating.

Step 6. You will have to give the replacement frame a paint job if the one you bought does not match the rest of the old frames. Otherwise, your job is complete.

If you have a nice patio, a screen door will likely be your best helper in allowing you to enjoy the fresh air while keeping airborne pests at bay. Technically, you will have to do little except to make sure the track and the rollers of your sliding door are kept clean. But what do you do when somebody accidentally causes a tear on the screen? There’s good news: it is actually very easy to replace a damaged screen, and you will not have trouble finding the things you need, as a trip to the local hardware store should do the trick.

Step 1. Check the size of the hole. If it is only about ¼ of an inch to 3/8 of an inch, you can usually just patch it up using a tiny amount of household cement. For larger holes, of up to 3 inches in diameter, you can use a screen patch: measure the screen to be about ½ to 1 inch larger in diameter compared to the hole. You can start by unraveling a few strands from the edges of the screen piece you are using as a patch, and then weaving the strands through the existing screen and bending them tight. However, if you screen is made of plastic or fiberglass, they are generally difficult to patch and would be better off replaced altogether.

Step 2. If the hole is larger than 3 inches in diameter, you would be better off replacing the entire screen. Before you head to the hardware store, try to slide your screen door back and forth to check for any other broken part. If the door seems to stick, vacuum the track to get rid of all dirt and try it another time. If it still refuses to slide easily, you might have to buy new rollers. Remove the sliding door from the frame by lifting it up and pulling its bottom edge off the track. It is best to bring the original roller so you can be sure you get the right match at the store.

Step 3. Measure the size of your door, and buy screen that is 2 inches larger on all sides. Also, if your existing spline is already brittle, buy some new ones: this is the rubber tubing that keeps the screen locked in place with a groove around the frame. This piece comes in many sizes, with the difference in diameter as small as 1/64th of an inch. As such, it is crucial to bring some sample so that you get the exact size you need. You will also need to buy a tool for installing the spline: it looks like a pizza cutter with a roller on each end.

Step 4. Remove the pieces of the door frame that hold the screen in place. You will likely need to remove the handle first. Then, using an awl, pry the piece that is holding the spline in place and remove the old spline. Also, if you will be replacing your rollers, remove them as well.

Step 5. Install the new spline and then align the new piece of screen on the door frame. Use the convex roller and concave roller to set the screen in place. Pull the screen taut and trim off the excess. After that, you can replace the panel and put your screen door back in place.

Installing wallpaper might be an easy task for plain walls, but since all rooms will have at least a door, and most come with at least one window, you will need to learn how to hang the wallpaper over doors and windows without revealing a shoddy workmanship from your do-it-yourself project. Just like a typical wallpaper job, you will need wallpaper material, scissors, a measuring tape, a paper hanging brush, and a sponge, preferably.

Step 1. Don’t panic. As you go along your wallpaper hanging, you will very soon reach the doorway. If you panic, you will likely wind up cutting your wallpaper into pieces. Instead, take one full piece and start at the top just as you would over the other parts of the room. Ensure that the paper is smooth, secure, and seamless at the top, and then let the paper roll down. Also, make sure it is the same length as all the other pieces you have already hung.

Step 2. Take a measurement of the width and length of the door, including the trim, if there is any. Keep yourself from hanging all the pieces that will go around your door. You will be installing it one piece at a time and making sure each piece is installed perfectly before moving on. Leave a few inches in excess and, using the scissors, cut out roughly the layout of the door. Use your paper hanging brush to smoothen out the areas that you have already secured.

Step 3. Cut the wallpaper diagonally right into the corners of your door. Be careful not to cut the paper too far or not cut it far enough, as it would cause a lot of problems. Smooth out the wallpaper, beginning from the edge going towards the door. Remove air pockets using the paper hanging brush. As you do so, be sure that the seams remain straight.

Step 4. Use your fingers, a dull straight-edge, or the paper hanging brush, to push the paper into the door trim edges, smoothing wrinkles and air pockets along the way. The bristles of the brush will help you get a tight fit. Make a crease on your paper along the sides of the door and over the top. With the crease as your guide, fold your excess paper on the crease to re-enforce the edge. Do a check of the top corner of the door to make sure the corner of your paper did not get any tear. Also, make sure that the creases you make give you a perfect right angle. You can also use the sponge to go over the creases a last time to be sure they are perfect.

Step 5. After this first piece hung around the doorway, you can proceed with the other pieces more easily. Confirm with your measurements to decide whether you will hang a shorter piece or just fit a corner into the edges. Just be sure to leave excess paper hanging and cut them altogether around the perimeter of the door.

If you happen to have a door that lets in lots of dirt or noise when left open, you might want to consider installing a door closer. This hydraulics-based add-on might scare you as to the complicated way it works, but it is actually very possible to install it yourself without the help of a professional.

Step 1. Before you hit the local hardware store to buy your door closer, measure the size of your door. Typically, residential type doors only require one type of door closer. The exception would be if you happen to have the larger swinging doors on your main entrance; if the door is larger than usual, you might have to get a door closer designed for light commercial-slash-residential use.

Step 2. When you have your door closer with you, get your materials together. For hardwood doors, you will need a hand drill and a drill bit in the size of the screws included in the door closer kit. If the wood of your door is not that hard, you might be able to drive the screw manually into the door.

Step 3. Take out the directions. You have three ways to install the door closer: the traditional way (wherein the door closer is installed near the hinge of the door), a parallel installation (with the door closer installed near the edge of the door that opens and closes), and having the door closer hang on the jamb instead of the door. For the easiest way, you can opt for the traditional way of installation.

Step 4. Typically, the directions will come with a stencil that you can use to measure the holes you will need to drill. Check the direction of the picture, whether the door described is left-opening or right-opening. You will install the door closer on the side of the door where it swings into. This means you will be standing where the door opens, and then check where the hinge is. If your kit does not come with a stencil, measure about 3 inches from the hinge side of the door on the very top, and use a pencil to draw your holes by putting the door closer, valve side facing the hinge, on the door and finding the spots where the screws will go.

Step 5. Drill the holes for the door closer body and screw it in place. From there, install the arms on top, with the thinner piece on top.

Step 6. You will install the lock for this thinner piece on the door jamb, making a right angle against the jamb. This will form a very acute triangle with the other arm. Draw the place where you will drill the holes, drill them, and screw the arm in place.

Step 7. Check the speed with which the door closer closes the door, as well as the speed of its latching capability. If it closes too fast or slams too hard, you will need to adjust the valve on the side, using a hex screw.

No matter what the reason, having one of the doorknobs in your home broken can be quite frustrating. While you can call a professional to do the job for you, a broken doorknob needs some immediate fixing especially if it is the one in your main door. Fortunately, replacing a broken doorknob is something that can be done by any homeowner. It wouldn’t take you half an hour to get the job done so save your $10 and fix the problem yourself. Refer to this step by step guide for help:

Step 1. There are several tools you will need in order to fix a broken doorknob. The tools may include one small and one large flat head screwdriver, a Phillips head screwdriver, some Allen wrenches, and of course your replacement doorknob. You can either use a doorknob that’s the same model as the old one or a different model of your choice. Either way, just make sure you purchase a doorknob with the right size as the hole in your door.

Step 2. While whacking the doorknob to remove it may seem to be the faster way, disassembling it is still the best option. To disassemble, remove the doorknob handle first. Using your small flat head screwdriver, push the opening that will activate the spring to release the handle. If it doesn’t work, use the Allen wrench instead. See to it that you remove the handles from both sides.

Step 3. Next, pry off the ring located in the base of the stem of the doorknob. This ring is referred to as the doorknob trim. Again, remove the trim on both sides of your door. After removing the trim, use a screwdriver to remove the long screws that hold the doorknob mechanism. You should take note of how these two long screws fit so that you’ll have no difficulty figuring it out later on when it’s time to install the new doorknob.

Step 4. At this time, the doorknob mechanism should be fully exposed so pull it out of the doorframe. What’s should be left afterwards is the strike bolt being held by two screws. Remove the strike bolt as well by unscrewing it.

Step 5. Since you’re going to replace the whole doorknob, you might as well remove the strike plates. The strike plates are located on each side of the door where the doorknob goes in. You can actually leave the old strike plates since they do not interfere as to how the doorknob works, but if they do not match with your new doorknob, you can get rid of them. Doorknob kits always come with strike plates so there should be no problem with that.

Step 6. Now that the old doorknob is out of the way, all you have left is an empty hole. Installing the new doorknob is as easy as disassembling it. Take out your new doorknob kit and follow the instructions carefully.