How to Fix Common door repair (visit this page) Problems

Many door issues are easy to fix, particularly when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes, a task cannot be accomplished without assistance.

A door that is stuck can be caused by the hinges not tight enough or too loose. If the problem persists you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the Door

Many homeowners clean their yards and check their doors as the weather gets cooler. This annual inspection should look for damage and also reveal any areas that aren't performing as they should.

Look for rust and corrosion on door hardware such as hinges, and on the frame. Similarly, check for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will keep drafts from entering the home and prevent air leaks that could reduce the efficiency of a home's energy usage.

Also, take note of whether any doors are sticking, especially following a wind storm. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear out more quickly and will cost more to fix. This issue can occur when the wood of the door becomes swelling due to humidity. A simple test using a hygrometer can help identify the source of this issue.

If your door is swollen, then you can use a screwdriver for tightening the hinge screws. If the problem persists then you may try to shimm the hinges or replace them altogether.

It's also important that you check the door for any damage that appears to be cosmetic. While minor scratches and dents are normal over time, any serious damage that was not there prior to repair doors should be done immediately.

Although it's sometimes possible to fix the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. Any wood rot should be repaired to ensure the integrity of the structure. If you discover significant structural issues with doors, it's recommended to contact a certified door system technician to evaluate and window glass repair near me any necessary damage.

Then tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws can loosen over time. If you leave them unattended they may cause damage to the hinge or strip the screw holes. These screws can be tightened manually or using the power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge and then remove the pins.

Find the sticking points first and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs near the top or drags on the floor, you can draw the jamb in by inserting a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that is attached to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will widen the gap and will usually resolve the issue.

A more drastic approach is to remove the hinge pins and hammer them out to make them more spread apart and will solve the issue. This is not recommended since it could damage the hinge. It should only be done if the door isn't closing properly.

A hole that is stripped of screws or a door frame that is sagging, can also cause the screw to loosen. If this is the case, insert a wood plug or match that has been soaked in carpenter's glue into the screw hole and allow it to set before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and reinforce the area to allow the screw to grip. Repeat this process for any remaining holes that will not tighten. Close the door and check to see if now it shuts correctly. If the issue continues it may be necessary to tackle the issue again. Begin with the simplest solutions and then make more complicated double glazed window 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 large (a condition known as toe-in). It is possible to do this by placing a small piece wood or cardboard on the jamb's side hinge and then adding two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the door frame. The shims push the hinge leaf from the door frame and close the gap, removing the bind.

It's not an easy process however with a little attention, you can complete it without causing harm to the door or hinge. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge before shifting (Knowledge How to remove the pin from a Door Hinge). It may be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges in order to avoid unscrewing.

Once the hinges have been shifted then you'll need to shut and open the door a few times to ensure that they're working correctly. If the door continues to bind you can increase the shims until the gaps between the hinge and door repair the door and the hinge and the door are shut.

Another way to fix a binding hinge is by making the mortise wider. This is done by scraping out the hole using an axe and then filling it in with wood putty. To match the rest of your frame, sand the putty and paint it prior to affixing it to the hinge. It's not as precise as shmming, but it's a quick solution for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's also less damaging than attempting to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door still binds after closing the hinges and shimming it, there could be a problem with the jamb not being of plumb. This can be fixed by tapping gently on wooden shims that are located on the latch's edge to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Take measurements of the shims with the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to make sure that it is level.

After you have shimmed the door frame, you are able to tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate to the latch side to stop it from rubbing against the latch. You can employ either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to do this, depending on the scope of the damage.

Sometimes, dents, gouges, and nicks in the frame will cause it to become stuck against the door. If it's just tiny dents then you can smooth the surface with wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door and then sand it down prior to staining or painting. If you have more serious dents or gouges, you may need to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding and filling and your door continues to bind, it's probably time to get rid of the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. If you can afford it, you should replace the components and do it correctly. However, you might be able to save the door if you work on small sections of frame without removing the whole thing. Be sure not to compromise the integrity of the rest of the frame, especially if you're dealing with older wood that has been subjected to humidity over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate catches the door bolt and holds the door in the closed position. The movement and setting of a door over time can cause the strike plate to be misaligned with the latch. If the latch isn't able to fit into the strike plate, it will not remain closed, which can cause burglaries or door door repair kick-ins. To remedy this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't work you, try shimming or adding wood filler to the hinges.

Before adjusting the strike plate apply a thin strip of lipstick or another marking substance to the latch. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is touching above or below the strike plate's hole, it may be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's location.

If the marks indicate that the latch is too high or low in the strike plate hole, then use small pieces of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This will often fix the issue, particularly if it's caused by the sunken or receding hinges. It will also make it easier to do a professional looking 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 where the strike plate is. A half-round filing is ideal, as it matches the curvature of the hole for the strike plate. Close the door, install the strikeplate and check if the latch is now clearing the strikeplate hole properly. If the latch is still not clearing the hole, use a chisel to shape the area of the jamb where it meets the strike plate.