How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

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

A door that is stuck can be due to the hinges being too tight or loose. If the problem persists, you may need to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.

Check the Door

As the weather gets cooler homeowners take this time to clean the yard and check their doors. This once-a-year inspection shouldn't just look for signs of damage, but also identify areas that aren't functioning as they should.

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

Note whether any doors are stuck, particularly after a strong wind. A door that is more difficult to open or close will wear faster and cost more to window repair near. This issue can occur by the fact that the wood of the door is swollen due to humidity. A simple test using the aid of a hygrometer will help determine the cause of this problem.

If your door is swelling or broken swollen, you can make use of a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists, then you can try to shimm the hinges or replace them altogether.

It's also important to examine the door for any cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are normal, any damage that was not there before should also be fixed.

While it's possible to fix the door that has a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to prevent further problems. To ensure the integrity of the structure any wood that is rotting has to be replaced. If you notice significant structural issues with the door, it's recommended to call a trained door systems technician to assess and window repair any damage that is required.

Tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you do not watch them they could damage the hinge or damage the screws' holes. The screws can be tightened by hand or with the power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge and take out the pins.

First, find the sticking points and decide how to proceed. If the door rubs at the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw onto the latch side of hinge (the side that is connected to the strike plate). This will make the gap a little larger and often solves the issue.

This will also fix the problem. Another option is to take off the hinge pins, hammer them until they are separated, and then replace them. However it's not recommended as it can cause damage to the hinge, and should only be done if the door isn't shut correctly.

Another possible issue is a screw that does not tighten, which can be caused by a damaged screw hole or a sliding doorframe. In this instance, place the wood plug (or match) that has been dipped in carpenter's adhesive into the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching your hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw can take hold. Repeat this process for any holes that do not tighten. Close the door and check to see if it is shut properly. If the issue continues it may be necessary to keep attempting to solve the issue. Begin with the simplest solutions and then make more complex windows repairs near me if necessary.

Change the Hinges

Shimming hinges are a great option to help the door hang straight when the gap between the jamb and door frame is too large (a condition called toe-in). This can be accomplished by placing a small piece 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 push the hinge leaf away from the frame to close the gap, getting rid of the bind that created the issue.

It's a difficult process, but with a little attention, you can complete it without damaging the door or hinge. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shimming (Knowledge How to remove the pin from a Door Hinge). This could require prying the door off its hinges to avoid unscrewing them.

You'll need to open and close the door a number of times after the hinges are moved to make sure they're functioning properly. If the door still binds it, you can put on more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door and the hinge and the door are closed.

Another way to fix the binding hinge is by making the mortise bigger. This can be accomplished by scraping out the hole with a chisel and filling it in with wood putty. Make sure you paint and sand the putty prior to placing it on the hinge so that it matches the frame's other components. It's not as accurate as shimming but it's a simple fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's also less damaging than trying to fix the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door remains stuck after the hinges have been pushed tight and shimming them, the jamb may be out of line. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall on the latch side of the frame to bring it back to level. Take measurements of the shims with the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to ensure that they are in line.

After you have shimmed the door frame you can tighten the screws that hold the strikeplate on the latch side, to keep it from hitting the latch. You can either make use of the manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, depending on the severity of the damage.

Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges within the frame could cause it to be bowed against the door. If there are just a few minor scratches on the frame, you can fill in the surface with a wood filler that matches the trim around the door. Sand it down, then paint or stain it. If the dents are larger it may be necessary to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.

If your door continues to bind after you've tried filling, sanding and refining the frame, it could be time to take down the entire door and start from scratch. It's best to do this in the event that you have the money to purchase new components and do it properly, but sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller parts of the frame without completely taking it off. Be careful not to compromise structural integrity of the frame especially if you're working with wood that has been exposed to moisture over the years.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate keeps the door in the closed position by engaging the door bolt. In time the strike plate may be disaligned. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate it won't be able to remain closed, which could result in burglaries and door kick-ins. An easy fix is to simply tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If this doesn't work then you can try shifting or adding wood filler to the hinges.

Before making adjustments to the strike plate, apply a thin strip of lipstick or a similar marking substance to the latch. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is contacting between the strike plate hole, it could be an issue with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's location.

If the marks indicate the latch is too low or high in the strike plate's hole, take a small piece of cardboard to fit the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This will usually fix the issue if it's caused by sunken hinges. This makes it easier to do an attractive repair upvc windows.

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 will go. A half-round file is ideal since it conforms to the shape of the strike plate hole. Reinstall the strike plate and close the door to examine if the latch now clearing the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch cannot clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate is positioned to meet the jamb.