How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door issues can be easily fixed, especially if the work is done by you. However, sometimes a project isn't doable without help.

The most common cause of a sticking door is simply that the hinges must be tightened or moved. If the problem persists you may need to sand or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the Door

As the temperature drops homeowners often take this time to clean up the yard and inspect their doors repairs. This annual inspection should look for damages and also identify any areas which aren't working as they should.

Check for corrosion or rust on door hardware, like hinges, and on the frame. Also, look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will keep drafts from entering your home and prevent air leaks that could reduce the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.

Be aware of any doors that are stuck, particularly after a strong wind. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which adds wear each time you use it and can lead to higher repair costs later on. This issue can occur when the wood used to construct the door is swollen due to humidity. A hygrometer test can be used to determine the cause of this issue.

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

It's crucial to inspect the door for cosmetic damages. While minor scratches and dents are normal in time, any major damage that wasn't there before should be windows repaired immediately.

It is possible to repair a major door crack. However cracks in wood should be filled in and painted as quickly as is possible to avoid recurring issues. To ensure the integrity of the structure any wood that is rotting should be replaced. It is recommended to contact a door systems technician if you find significant structural issues. They will evaluate the damage and make any needed double glazing window repairs.

Then tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you do not watch them, they may damage the hinge or damage the screw holes. The screws can be tightened manually or with the power drill. Be careful not to bend the door hinge and take out the pins.

Locate the sticking points first and then decide what to do. If the door rubs against the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw into the hinge's latch side (the side that is attached to the strike plate). This will widen the gap and usually solve the issue.

This can also resolve the problem. A more drastic solution is to take off the hinge pins, then hammer them so they are more dispersed, and then replace them. However it's not recommended as it could damage the hinge and should only be done if the door isn't shut correctly.

A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. In this case, insert a wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in 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 remaining holes that will not tighten. Close the door and test to determine if it is shut properly. If the issue persists then you might need to keep attempting to solve the issue. It is recommended to start with the most basic fixes first, and then do more involved double glazing Windows repairs when necessary.

Change the Hinges

When the gap between the door and jamb is too wide (a condition known as toe-in), shimming the hinges can help the door hang straight. This can be done by placing a small wedge of cardboard or wood under the hinge on the jamb side, and then adding one or more thin wooden shims between the hinge and the door frame. The shims pull the hinge leaf from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the bind.

It's a tricky method, but with a little care you can do it without causing damage to the hinge or door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge before shifting (Knowledge How to remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges to avoid unscrewing them.

Once the hinges are shifted and the door is closed, you'll have to shut and open the door several times to make sure they're operating correctly. If the door is still stuck then you can use shims to close the gap between the hinge and the door.

You can also fix the binding hinge of a door by increasing the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by removing the hole with a chisel, and then filling it with wood putty. Make sure you paint and sand the putty before you use it on the hinge to match the frame's rest. It's not as accurate as shimming but it's an easy fix for an out-of-alignment hinge. It's also less destructive than attempting to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door is still stuck after the hinges have been pushed tight and shimming them the jamb might be out of alignment. This can be fixed by gently tapping on wooden shims on the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Be sure to take measurements of the shims using the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until they are plumb on both sides of the frame.

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

Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges in the frame may cause it to become a binder against the door. If there are just small scratches on the frame, you can fill in the holes using wood filler that matches trim around the door. Sand it down and then paint or stain it. If the dents are larger they may require you to replace the damaged section of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding or filling and your door continues to get stuck, it's time to remove the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. It's best to do this if you can afford to buy new parts and do it correctly however, sometimes you can save the door by working on tiny parts of the frame without completely removing it. Be careful not to compromise integrity of the frame, particularly if you are dealing with old wood that has been exposed to moisture over the years.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate catches the bolt that holds the door in the closed position. The movement and setting of a door over time could cause the strike plate to become misaligned with the latch. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which could lead to burglaries and double glazing windows repairs door kick ins. The easiest solution is to tighten the screws that support the strike plate. If this doesn't work, changing the hinges' angle or adding wood fill could aid.

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 then open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is contacting above or below the strike plate hole, it may be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's position.

If the marks indicate that the latch is resting too low or high in the strike plate hole, use small pieces of cardboard to insert into the hinge mortise, and then replace the hinge. This will usually fix the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges. It also allows for a professional repair.

To adjust the strike plate, take it from the door jamb and then employ a file to widen the hole in the jamb where the strike plate will go. A half-round filing is ideal, as it matches the curve of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Install the strike plate close the door and check if the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch does not clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate meets the jamb.