How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

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

Often, the cause of sticking doors is that the hinges have to be re-tightened or moved. If the issue 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 upvc Doors Repairs as the weather cools. This once-a-year inspection should not just be a lookout for signs of damage but also uncover areas that aren't performing as they should.

Find corrosion and rust on door hardware like hinges, as well as on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering the home and prevent air leaks that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.

Also note whether any doors are sticking, particularly following a wind storm. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear faster and will cost more to fix. This issue can arise when the wood used to construct the door becomes swollen due to humidity. A simple test using the aid of a hygrometer will help determine the source of this issue.

If your door is swollen you can tighten the hinge screws with a screwdriver. If the problem persists you may try shimming your hinges or replacing them.

It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are expected over time, any serious damage that was not there prior to the repair should be addressed immediately.

Although it's sometimes possible to repair the door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to prevent further problems. To ensure the structural integrity of your home, any wood rot should be replaced. If you notice significant structural issues with the door, it's best to call in a trained door systems technician to examine and repair any damage that may be required.

Close the Hinges

It is common for hinge screws on doors to loosen up over time, but if you leave them too long it can cause damage to the hinge, and the screw holes to become stripped. These screws can be tightened by hand or with the power drill. Be careful not to bend the door hinge and then remove the pins.

First, locate the points of friction and decide the best way to proceed. If the door rubs near the top or is dragging on the floor it is possible to draw the jamb in by inserting a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that attaches to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will widen the gap and will usually resolve the issue.

This will also solve the issue. The most drastic solution is to take off the hinge pins, hammer them to make them more spread apart and then replace them. This is not recommended as it can damage the hinge. It should only be done when the door isn't closing properly.

A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe, can also cause the screw to not tighten. In this situation, insert the wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw can take hold. Repeat as needed for any remaining screw holes that aren't tight enough. Close the door and check to see if it shuts correctly. If not, you may need to continue troubleshooting the problem. It is recommended to start with the easiest fixes first, and then do more complicated repairs if necessary.

Shift the Hinges

Shimming hinges are a great option to assist in keeping the door straight when the gap between the jamb and the door frame is too wide (a condition called toe-in). This can be done by placing a small wedge of cardboard or wood beneath the hinge on the jamb side, then adding one or more thin, wooden shims between the hinge and the frame of the door. The shims will pull the leaf of the hinge away from the frame, closing the gap and eliminate the bind that caused the problem.

This technique can be a bit tricky, but if you're careful you can complete the task without damaging the hinge or the door. Shimming is most effective if the existing screws are removed from each hinge first. (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin From the Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges to keep them from slipping off.

After the hinges have been moved, you'll need to shut and open the door a few times to make sure they're functioning correctly. If the door doesn't stay in place it is possible to add shims to fill in the gap between the hinge and door.

Another way to fix a binding hinge is by making the mortise wider. This can be accomplished by removing the hole using the chisel, then filling it in with wood putty. To make it look like the frame's rest, sand the putty and paint it before applying it to the hinge. This isn't as accurate as shmming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's also less destructive than trying to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door is still bound after tightening the hinges and shimming it, there could be an issue with the jamb not being of line. This can be fixed by gently tapping wooden shims at the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Make sure you take measurements with the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until it's aligned on both sides of the frame.

After you have shimmied the door frame, you can tighten the screws that hold the strikeplate on the latch side to stop it from hitting the latch. You can use either a manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to accomplish this, based on the severity of the damage.

Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges in the frame can cause it to bind against the door. If it's only tiny scratches and nicks, you can smooth out the surface using wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door, and then sand it down prior to staining or painting. For deeper dents and gouges, you may need to replace the damaged part of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding and filling but your door is still to lock, it's time to remove the door and begin working on the frame from scratch. It's best if you can afford to purchase new parts and do it correctly, but sometimes you can save the door by working on small portions of the frame, without completely taking it off. Be cautious not to compromise the structural integrity of the frame particularly if you are dealing with older wood which has been exposed to moisture over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate catches the bolt that holds the door in an open position. The movement and setting of a door over time could cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate, it won't remain closed, which can lead to burglaries and door kick-ins. To fix this issue, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill can aid.

Apply a thin strip of lipstick or other marking substance on the latch prior to adjusting the strike plate. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks suggest that the latch is positioned above or below the the strike plate, the issue could be related to the hinges.

If the marks show that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, upvc doors repairs then use a small piece of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This will usually fix the issue caused by sunken hinges. This makes it easier to do a professional-looking repair.

To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from the jamb on your door. Then, you can use a file to make the hole in which the strikeplate is intended to be. A half-round filing is ideal since it matches the curvature of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Close the door, install the strikeplate and verify that the latch now clears the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is not clearing the hole using a chisel, reshape the area of the jamb that meets the strike plate.