Door Repair - Simple Fixes You Can Do in a Few Easy Steps

It's easy to think the door isn't in good repair but there are a number of simple fixes that can make all the difference. Let's start with the shimming.

To make an opening shim, open the door and press it into the frame. Utilize a jack plane or block to remove small pieces of wood from the binding points.

The Frame

The door frame is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects you from water damage, and gives your home an attractive appearance. It is prone to damage. Door frames can be damaged by harsh weather or burglaries, or simply normal use. If they do, this can result in massive holes, weak latching and a dull appearance. Fortunately fixing your door frame is a relatively simple process that can be completed in just a few steps.

First, you must remove the trim or molding from around the opening. You can use a hammer an axe, or a power saw to take off the trim. After the trim is removed, take note of the measurements and replace it following the repair.

The next step is to examine any damaged or rotten areas of the door frame. If there are any rotten areas, you'll have to buy and replace the wood pieces. They are typically available at your local hardware shop and should be made of materials that match the rest of your door frame. It is recommended to avoid using pressure-treated wood as it is more likely to twist and warp over time.

After you have replaced any rotten sections of the frame, you'll be required to ensure that it is securely in the right place. A good way to accomplish this is using an shim. It is essentially a piece of wood that sits between the frame and the wall. The shim will provide additional support for the frame and will keep it from moving.

After you've replaced the shims, it is a good idea to caulk the frame and sill of your door. This will prevent further water damage as well as protect your door frame from insects.

Finally, you will need to install the trim again on the door frame. If you're lucky, the old trim may still be in good condition and you can simply attach it to the frame. If your trim is not in good condition, you'll need to buy new trim and repeat the same procedure.

The Threshold

A door threshold is a strip of wood that covers and insulates the space between the door and the floor. It also helps prevent snow and water from accumulating in the entryway. Besides being an essential element of the door, a well-installed threshold can also be a stunning accent that adds to your home's curb appeal. If your threshold is scuffed, worn or damaged, it's time to replace it. Installing a new threshold not as simple as simply sliding it under the casing and nailing it to the frame; it has to be held in place by wood strips known as shims, which are placed between the frame's two jambs.

To remove the old threshold first, cut it away from the sides of the door frame using circular saw (use a carbide blade if you can). If you are able lift the sub sill, which is the part of the frame which runs underneath the threshold. Replace it if it's rotten in the same way as you replace the threshold.

Before cutting the threshold to size, use a carpenter's square to mark layout lines on it, making note of right angles to make notches that will fit around the jambs. You can also purchase thresholds pre-cut to the dimensions of your doorway in a home center.

Install the shims, making sure to place them equally. It's fine to vary the thickness of each shim when necessary, but make them no more than 1 1/2 inches in width. It could take a bit of trial and error to make the threshold in a snug place, but capable of moving freely.

Test the fit of your new threshold by closing the door Window Repairs and testing how well it closes and opens. There shouldn't be any light under the door and the sweep on the bottom of the door should rub against the top of the threshold.

If the threshold is a good fit but requires a bit more support, place some construction adhesive on the shims and put them in place under the threshold. Repeat the process until you achieve a tight fit and it can withstand weight.

The Hinges

Over time, many door hinges get rusty and begin to deteriorate. This makes it difficult to close the doors. It is important to fix the hinge in order to shut and secure the door securely. If you are replacing the hinge, make sure you choose a similar one that is a good match in terms of size and edge shape. It is also important to ensure that the hinge is correctly positioned in the mortise.

The first step is to check the hinge for looseness. If the hinge is not tight, it will rub against the strike plate and then bind to the frame. Check for paint scratches or dents in the frame that indicate the location where the hinge is in contact with. If the hinge isn't sufficient tight you can tighten it using the help of a screwdriver. If the hinge is loose, you can try a wedge between the frame of the door and the hinge, or you may have to replace it completely.

You can straighten the hinge knuckles using bending them using a pair of large pliers with a tongue and groove or an adjustable wrench. You can do this by carefully bending the knuckles by hand with a pair of large tongue-and-groove pliers or an adjustable wrench, however it's recommended to work on just one each knuckle in order that you don't bend the hinge leaf out of its mortise.

You might also notice that your door hinges are loosened because the screws that hold them in place have stripped. If this is the case, you can replace the screws to give them a better grip on the hinges.

If the hinge isn't damaged, and the screw holes are in good condition then you can use a syringe to inject carpenter's glue into the mortise of the hinge and join. Then screw the hinge into position, and then secure it with a screwdriver or drill. If you're installing new hinges it's a good idea mark the locations of the pilot holes on the door as well as the door frame so that you can be certain that the screws are exactly where they were as the previous ones.

The Hardware

Many people don't think much about door knobs, levers, and locksets until they stop working properly. Fortunately, most of these hardware parts are repairable. It's usually a issue of picking the best piece to match the style and finish of your house, and then installing it. It's a good idea, particularly for exterior doors, to add weather-stripping.

You could be able to solve the issue of a door that is difficult to open by lubricating your lock assembly. Many types of locks, door handles, and hinges are susceptible to sticking when their wearing surfaces are dirty or dry. Cleaning these parts and keeping them lubricated is a cheap windows; go to Qooh, method to ensure they are operating properly.

The most frequent problems with door hardware is loose or broken handle screw locks that don't turn by itself when you use the key and hinges which squeak or stick. In most cases, you can tighten the screws or replace them. In some cases, however, it is better to remove the lock and handle from the door, and then sand the spindle as well as the lock cylinder bore holes, and cheap windows also the escutcheon hole to make sure they are free of dirt prior to installing the new hardware.

If you have a door that is difficult to close, it may be necessary to grease its locking mechanism using penetrating oils. For hinges that are squeaky you can take off and clean the hinge pins, then install them using longer screws that will be more likely to secure.

If you're replacing a handle, lock or hinge, ensure that the lock you select is compatible with the size of the hole of your door and jamb. You can usually find this information on the packaging or on the website of the manufacturer. For instance, doorknobs and levers require a hole that is specific in its spread (the distance from the center of the hole in the lock to the knob). Check the backset to see if the replacement will fit.