How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door issues are easy to fix, particularly when you can complete the work yourself. Sometimes, a project cannot be accomplished without assistance.

A stuck door can be caused by hinges being too tight or too loose. If the issue persists, you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the door for damage.

As the temperature drops homeowners take this time to clean the yard and inspect their doors. This once-a-year inspection shouldn't just look for signs of damage, but also uncover areas that aren't performing as they should.

Check for corrosion and rust on door hardware like hinges, as well as on the frame. Also, look for damaged or damaged weather stripping. This keeps drafts out of your home and prevents air leaks, which can make a home less energy efficient.

Check if any doors are stuck, particularly in the aftermath of a strong wind. A stickier door is harder to open and close, which adds wear each time it's used and could lead to higher repair double glazing window costs down the road. This type of problem can be caused by swollen wood that occurs when humidity alters the moisture content in the wood of the door. A simple test using a hygrometer can help identify the source of this issue.

If your door is swollen and you are unable to close it, you can make use of a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.

It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damages. While minor dents and scratches are normal over time, any significant damage that was not present prior repairs to double glazing windows repair should be done as soon as possible.

Although it's sometimes possible to repair the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as is possible repairs to double glazed windows avoid any further issues. To ensure structural integrity wood rot, it has to be replaced. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems when you spot structural issues that are significant. They will evaluate the damage and make the necessary upvc window repairs.

Then tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you leave them unattended they could damage the hinge or strip the screws' holes. These screws can be tightened manually or with the aid of a power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge and take out the pins.

Locate the sticking points first and then decide what to do. If the door rubs at the top or drags, you can countersink a long screw into the latch side of hinge (the side that is connected to the strike plate). This will increase the gap and will usually resolve the problem.

The most drastic option is to simply take out the hinge pins and then hammer them out until they're more spread apart which will also resolve the problem. However, this isn't recommended since it can damage the hinge and should only be done if the door isn't shut correctly.

A hole that is stripped of screws, or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. In this instance, place a wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching your hinge. This will fill the hole and reinforce the area so that the screw will be able to hold the screw. Repeat this process for any remaining holes that aren't tightening. Close the door and check to see whether it is now shut properly. If not, you may have to keep trying to solve the problem. It is best to begin with the easiest fixes first and only do more complex window seal repairs if needed.

Change the Hinges

Shimming hinges can be utilized to help the door hang straight when the gap between the jamb and the door is too wide (a condition called toe-in). You can do this by placing a small piece of cardboard or wood on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then adding two or three wooden shims in between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims pull the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the binding.

It's a tricky method, but with a little attention, you can complete it without damaging the hinge or door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shifting (Knowledge - How to remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). It is possible to remove the door of its hinges to stop the screws from slipping out.

Once the hinges are shifted, you'll need to close and open the door several times to ensure that they're working correctly. If the door still binds it, you can put on more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door and between the hinge and the door are closed.

Another way to correct the binding hinge is to make the mortise bigger. This can be done by scraping the hole using the chisel, then filling it up with wood putty. To match the rest of your frame, sand the putty and paint it before applying it to the hinge. This isn't as precise as shimming but it's a quick fix for hinges that are out of alignment. It's less destructive than rehanging the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door continues to bind after closing the hinges and shimming it, there could be an issue with the jamb being out of alignment. This can be resolved by gently tapping on wooden shims that are located on the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Be sure to take measurements with a carpenter's square and move them around the frame until it's level on both sides of the frame.

After you've shimmed your door frame then you can tighten the screws that hold the strike plate on the latch side of the frame to stop it from scraping against the latch. You can use either a manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to do this, depending on the extent of the damage.

Sometimes, dents, gouges, and nicks in the frame will cause it to stick to the door. If there are only small scratches on the frame, you can fill in the holes by using a wood filler that is compatible with the trim around the door. Sand it down and then paint or stain it. For deeper dents and gouges, you may need to replace the damaged part of the jamb.

If your door continues to bind after you've tried filling, sanding, repairing upvc doors and re-sanding the frame, it might be time to take down the entire door and begin again. If you can afford it, you should replace the parts and do it properly. However, you may be able to save the door by working on a small portion of the frame without taking away the entire frame. Be careful not to compromise the strength of the entire frame, especially when you're dealing with older wood that has been subjected to moisture over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate holds the door in the closed position by engaging the bolt of the door. The shifting and setting of Repairing Upvc Doors over time can cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can lead burglaries or door kick-ins. To remedy this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If that doesn't work, changing the hinges' angle or adding wood fill could help.

Apply a stripe of lipstick or another marking substance on the latch before adjusting the strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is contacting above or below the strike plate hole it may be a problem with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's position.

If the marks suggest that the latch is positioned too low or high in the strike plate hole, you can use a small piece of cardboard to fit the hinge mortise. Replace the hinge. This will often fix the problem, if it's caused by sunken or recessed hinges. It can also make it easier to do an attractive repair.

To adjust the strike plate, take it from the jamb of the door and then use a file to enlarge the hole in the jamb that the strike plate is. A half-round file is ideal since it conforms to the curvature of the strike plate hole. Reinstall the strike plate, close the door and see if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole properly. If the latch still cannot clear the hole, use the chisel on the jamb to shape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.