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Bi-fold Doors: Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting Common Issues

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{"pageStyle":"","cssClass":"advice-article-2635","articleTitle":"Bi-fold Doors: Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting Common Issues","strapline":null,"straplineColour":"white","desktopBannerUrl":null,"desktopBannerWidth":0,"desktopBannerHeight":0,"tabletLandscapeBannerUrl":null,"tabletPortraitBannerUrl":null,"mobileBannerUrl":null,"carouselImageUrls":["/Media/Default/about%20us/origin-05-20143052.jpg"],"featureBullets":[],"articleBody":"<ul><li><a href=\"#operation1\">How to operate Origin Bi-fold Doors</a></li><li><a href=\"#operation2\">Maintenance tips for keeping Origin Bi-fold Doors in top condition</a></li><li><a href=\"#operation3\">Cleaning tips and tricks for sparking glass and doors</a></li><li><a href=\"#operation4\">Trouble shooting common issues with bi-fold doors</a></li></ul><p>Bi-fold doors are extremely easy to look after but do require a little bit of maintenance to ensure they last for years. To make sure your doors remain in their peak condition, you just need to follow a few simple steps.</p><p><a href=\"https://origin-global.com/doors/bi-fold-doors\" onclick=\"ga('send', 'event', 'Advice Centre', 'Link to bifold page', 'https://origin-global.com/advice-centre/bi-fold-doors-operation-maintenance-and-troubleshooting-common-issues');\">Click here</a> to find our more about our bi-fold doors.</p><h2 id=\"operation1\">Operating your doors</h2><p>Once your doors are installed, it&rsquo;s important you know how to operate them properly so you can enjoy all the benefits they bring without any hassle. There are two main types of door systems, systems with a lead door and systems without a lead door.</p><p>If you have any issues relating to the operation of your doors, your first point of call should be the people who installed them.</p><h2>Systems with a lead door</h2><p>A lead door is the panel which contains the locking system and is the access door to your garden. You can use this door to get in and out of your home without folding back all the other panels.</p><p><iframe width=\"430\" height=\"242\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/q2LOL0LdRcE?rel=0&amp;showinfo=0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p><h2>Opening the doors</h2><ol><li>Insert the key into the lead door, turn 360&deg; and remove.</li><li>Open the door fully, attaching it to the magnetic keep on the adjacent door.</li><li>Rotate the slave handles 180&deg; to release the doors.</li><li>For doors opening out, push the door frame above the slave handle and open the doors fully, ensuring the lead door remains against its magnet at all times.</li><li>For doors opening in, pull the door sash inwards and guide the doors open.</li></ol><h2>Closing the doors</h2><ol><li>Place your hand between the first and second doors and guide the doors along the track.</li><li>For doors opening out, pull the D-shaped handle to close the doors. Lock them into place by rotating the slave handles 180&deg;. For doors opening in, push the frame until the doors are shut.</li><li>Repeat the previous steps until all slave handles are in the locked position.</li><li>Using the lead door handle, pull the door from the magnetic keep and close.</li><li>Lift the handle up to engage the locks.</li><li>Insert the key, rotate 360&deg; and remove.</li></ol><h2>Systems without a lead door</h2><p>Systems without a lead door can be split into two in the middle so both sets of doors open outwards from the middle and the central set of doors can act as access doors.</p><p><iframe width=\"430\" height=\"242\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/c6-ZVeSESIc?showinfo=0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p><h2>Opening the doors</h2><ol><li>If keyed locking is installed, insert the key into the lock, turn 360&deg; and remove.</li><li>Rotate all slave handles 90&deg;, so they are now positioned horizontally.</li><li>For doors opening out, push the door frame above the slave handle and open the doors fully. For doors opening in, pull the handle to open.</li></ol><h2>Closing the doors</h2><ol><li>Place your hand between the first and second doors and guide the doors along the track.</li><li>For doors opening out, pull the D-shaped handle to close the doors. Lock them into place by rotating the slave handles 180&deg;. For doors opening in, push the frame until the doors are shut.</li><li>Repeat the previous steps until all slave handles are in the locked position.</li><li>If keyed locking is installed, lift the master handle up to engage the locks.</li><li>Insert the key, rotate 360&deg; and remove.</li></ol><h2>Helpful tips</h2><ul><li>Always remove the key from the lock to protect the lock and adjacent doors from damage, as warranties don&rsquo;t usually cover this.</li><li>The lead door is always the first door to open and the last to close.</li><li>The lead door must remain attached to the magnetic keep when the doors are open and in operation.</li><li>Slave handles should not be used to pull the doors along the track into the closed position.</li></ul><h2 id=\"operation2\">Maintaining your doors</h2><p>Having bi-fold doors is a great way to open up your room and let in the maximum amount of light. This, however, is only the case if they are clean and you can actually see out of them! Here are a few tips to take the backache out of cleaning your bi-fold doors and windows.</p><h2 id=\"operation3\">Cleaning the glass</h2><ul><li>There are many old wive's tales advising us how to clean windows, and most involve vinegar and elbow grease. Whilst a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar can be an effective cleaning solution, it will leave behind a vinegary smell for a while, so it isn&rsquo;t the answer for everyone.</li><li>Soap and water also proves to be a popular option. However, go easy on the suds as they can leave behind a streaky residue if you&rsquo;re not careful.</li><li>Regardless of what cleaning product you use, whether it&rsquo;s a shop bought spray or a homemade solution, <a href=\"http://www.topcleaningsecrets.com/house/how-to-clean-glass-and-mirrors.html\" target=\"_blank\">the most important thing to get streak free windows is to use the right tools to apply it</a>. Many of us make the mistake of using kitchen towels, however, they can leave linty streaks on the glass. Microfibre cloths and squeegees are great for a streak-free finish, but the best option goes back to the old wives' tales again - scrunched up paper!</li><li>When cleaning the glass, ensure where possible that the solution doesn&rsquo;t run onto the frames too much. Also, don&rsquo;t forget to remove all jewellery, rings and watches as they can easily leave scratches on the glass.</li></ul><h2>Cleaning and maintaining the frames</h2><ul><li>In the majority of cases, cleaning the frames of your bi-fold doors will not require more than a quick wipe with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge soaked in warm water and a mild detergent.</li><li>Resist the temptation to use any type of heavy-duty household cleaner as you could cause damage to the frames or powder coat finish. Paraffin-based cleaning solutions and non-abrasive liquid cream cleaners are generally fine for shifting more stubborn stains but seek advice from your supplier first.</li><li>If there are any stubborn stains that won&rsquo;t shift with washing, try using an ink rubber to lift the mark. You will know immediately if it is going to work, so don&rsquo;t keep scrubbing away if you can&rsquo;t see an initial change.</li></ul><h2>Cleaning the tracks and seals</h2><ul><li>It is important that you <a href=\"http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/living-area/clean-doors.html\" target=\"_blank\">ensure that the tracks at the bottom of the doors are clean and free from large stones and debris</a>. Any large objects can impede the smooth running of the doors and potentially cause damage.</li><li>The most effective way to clean the tracks is to use a vacuum cleaner nozzle. Run it along the tracks to remove any debris that has collected inside.</li><li>With some doors, is it advised that you lubricate the tracks and mechanisms with a silicon spray. Focus on the area where the wheel and guide disks connect with the tracks to ensure smooth running. Again, check with your supplier to make sure that this is appropriate for your specific model of doors and take advice on what product they would recommend.</li><li>In salt water environments, the external surface of the doors should be washed down with fresh water on a weekly basis as it is common for salt deposits to build up.</li><li>Gently run across the QLon seals with a light, soapy solution and non-abrasive cloth. Avoid using solvent-based cleaning products on the seals. It is also recommended that silicone spray is applied to the seals annually.</li></ul><h2>Maintaining the locks</h2><p>Applying a small amount of light lubricating oil to the lock and key will ensure that the locking mechanism is dust-free and not prone to sticking. Lightly oil both the lock and key and then insert and remove the key a few times to ensure easy operation.</p><h2 id=\"operation4\">Troubleshooting common issues</h2><p>As all of Origin&rsquo;s doors are handmade to fit, installing them is usually very straightforward. However, this doesn&rsquo;t mean that there aren&rsquo;t common issues installers come across from time to time. We&rsquo;ve listed a few common problems below, which your installers will be able to deal with quite easily.</p><p><strong>The issue:</strong> The doors have a gap and won't operate properly.</p><p><strong>The Reason:</strong> The distance between the trolley fork and the top of the adjuster bolt needs to be set at 5mm, your installers will adjust the gap until it&rsquo;s set at 5mm.</p><p><strong>The Issue:</strong> There is daylight between the jamb and main lead door.</p><p><strong>The Reason:</strong> In order to fix this, your installer will need to adjust the opposite jamb towards the lead door to close the gap. There should be a 3mm gap between lead door or slam and rebate.</p><p><strong>The Issue:</strong> There is a gap between the top of the lead door and the top track.</p><p><strong>The Reason:</strong> When there is a gap between the top of the lead door and the top track, you can remove the glazing beads and raise the door with a glazing paddle, put a bigger packer in so the door raised and toe and heeled properly. Replace glazing beads and wedge gasket.</p><p><strong>The Issue:</strong> The lead door is not closing properly.</p><p><strong>The Reason:</strong> If the lead door is not closing properly, adjust the lock keep in or out by turning the screws on the lock keep until the door closes appropriately.</p><h2>Have any questions?</h2><p>If you have a question about maintaining or operating your doors or you have an issue with your doors, then get in touch with your trade partner or the company who installed your doors.</p><p>For more information on Origin's bespoke bi-folding doors, contact your <a href=\"https://origin-global.com/find-local-installer\">local installer</a> today.</p>","youTubeVideoId":null,"audioUrl":"/Media/Default/advice%20centre/audio/bi-fold-operation-maintanance-and-troubleshooting.mp3","authorName":"Oliver Ginger","authorThumbnail":"/Media/Default/Images%20for%20Advice%20Centre%20Articles/dummy-male.png","authorDescription":"Oliver has been involved with Origin since day 1, and in that time, has worked in various different departments. He has worked in manufacturing, quality control, material sourcing and warehouse supervision, so there is almost nothing he doesn’t know about Origin. Oliver was a key player in getting the North American manufacturing facility set up and running, helping train members of staff to ensure they match the UK’s quality standards. 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