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How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems are easy to fix, particularly when you can complete the work yourself. However, sometimes a project isn't doable without help.
A door that is stuck could be due to the hinges being too tight or loose. If the issue continues, you may need to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.
Inspect the Door
Many homeowners clean up their yards and check their doors as the weather gets cooler. This annual inspection should be a lookout for any damage and also reveal any areas that aren't functioning as they should.
Examine for corrosion or rust on door hardware, including hinges, and also on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will keep drafts from entering your home and prevent air leaks that could reduce the efficiency of a home's energy usage.
Note whether any doors are stuck, especially in the aftermath of a strong wind. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear faster and will cost more to fix. This type of problem can be caused by swollen wood, which occurs when humidity alters the amount of moisture in the wood of the door. A simple test using a hygrometer can help identify the root of the problem.
If your door is swollen, then you can use a screwdriver for tightening the hinge screws. If the issue persists, you might try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's also important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are normal over time, any significant damage that was not there prior to repair should be done immediately.
Although it's sometimes possible to repair the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as is possible to avoid any further issues. door repairs near me should be repaired to ensure the strength of the structure. It is best to contact an expert in door systems when you find significant structural issues. They will be able to evaluate the damage and make the necessary repairs.
Close the Hinges
It's common for screws on door hinges to loosen up over time however if you leave them in place for too long, it could damage the hinge and cause the holes for screws to be stripped. You can tighten these screws by hand or with a drill, but be cautious not to bend the hinge, and make sure you remove the pins too.
Locate the points of friction first, and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs near the top or is dragging on the floor then you can draw the jamb in by driving a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that is attached to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will increase the gap, and in most cases, solve the problem.
The most drastic option is to simply take out the hinge pins and hammer them out to make them more dispersed which will also resolve the problem. However it's not recommended as it could damage 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 could be caused by a stripped screw hole or a sliding doorframe. If this is the case, insert a wood block or match dipped in carpenter's glue into the screw hole, and allow it to set before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen the area so that the screw will be able to be held in place. Repeat this process for any holes that aren't tightening. Then close the door and test to see if it now shuts correctly. If not, you may have to keep trying to solve the issue. Start with the most basic fixes, and then proceed to more complex repairs if necessary.
Shim the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be used to aid in hanging the door straight when the gap between the jamb and the door is too wide (a condition known as toe-in). You can do this by placing a small amount of wood or cardboard on the jamb's side hinge and then placing two or three thin wooden shims between the hinges and the door frame. The shims pull the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the bind.
It's not an easy process however, with a bit of care you can do it without damaging the door or hinge. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges to prevent them from coming loose.
After the hinges have been moved and the door is closed, you'll have to shut and open the door several times to make sure they're working correctly. If the door continues to bind it, you can put on more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door as well as the hinge and the door are shut.
You can also fix the hinge that is binding by increasing the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by removing the hole with a chisel then filling it with wood putty. Make sure to paint and sand the putty prior to placing it on the hinge to match the frame's other components. This isn't as accurate as shifting but it's an easy fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's not as destructive as hanging the door again.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door remains stuck after tightening hinges and shimming it, the jamb may be out of alignment. This can be resolved by tapping gently on wooden shims at the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Measure the shims using a carpenter's square, then move them around the frame to make sure it is plumb.
After you've shimmied the door frame, you are able to tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate on the latch side, to keep it from rubbing against the latch. You can employ either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill for this, based on the scope of the damage.
Sometimes, dents, gouges and nicks within the frame cause it to stick against the door. If there are only a few minor scratches on the frame, you can fill in the holes with a wood filler that matches the trim around the door. Sand it down, then paint or stain it. For deeper dents and gouges, you may need to replace the damaged part of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding and filling and your door continues to lock, it's time to take the door off and start working on the frame from scratch. It's best in the event that you have the money to buy new parts and do it correctly but there are times when you can save the door by working on tiny portions of the frame, without completely taking it off. Be cautious not to compromise the structural integrity of the frame especially if you're working with older wood which has been exposed to moisture over the years.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate keeps the door in its closed position by catching the door bolt. In time, the strike plate can become misaligned. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. To remedy this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't work, changing the hinges' angle or adding wood fill may help.
Before adjusting the strike plate, apply a 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 either between the strike plate's hole, it could be an issue with sagging hinges, rather than the strike plate's position.
If the marks suggest that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, then use a small piece of cardboard to insert into the hinge mortise, and then replace the hinge. This will usually fix the issue if it's caused by sunken hinges. This makes it easier to make a professional-looking repair.
To adjust the strikeplate, remove it from the jamb of your door. Then, use a file on the hole where the strikeplate is meant to be. Half-round files are ideal because it is in line with the curve of the strike plate's hole. Close the door, then reinstall the strikeplate, and then check that the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch cannot clear the hole, use the chisel on the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate is positioned to meet the jamb.