A Provocative Rant About Door Repair

How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door issues are simple to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. But, sometimes a job can't be completed without assistance.

Most of the time, the reason for sticking doors is that the hinges must be tightened or shifted. If the problem continues, you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the door for damage.

Many homeowners clean out their yards and check their doors when the weather gets cooler. This annual inspection should not only be a lookout for signs of damage, but also reveal any areas that aren't working as they should.

Check for corrosion or rust on door hardware, like hinges, and also on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This keeps drafts from the home and prevents air leaks, which can make your home less efficient in energy use.

Check if any doors are stuck, particularly after a storm. A door that is stuck is more difficult to open and close, which causes wear every time it's used and could lead to higher repair costs down the road. This issue can occur when the wood of the door gets more swollen as a result of humidity. A simple test with a hygrometer can help identify the root of the problem.

If your door is swollen you can tighten the hinge screws with the help of a screwdriver. If the problem continues, you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.

It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damages. While minor scratches and dents are normal, any damage that was not present before must be fixed.

It is possible to repair a significant door crack. However, all wood cracks should be filled in and painted as soon as possible to avoid further issues. Wood rot must be replaced to ensure the integrity of the structure. If you find significant structural issues with a door, it is recommended to contact a trained door systems technician to evaluate and repair any damage that is required.

Close the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you do not watch them they may cause damage to the hinge or rip out the screws' holes. You can tighten the screws by hand or using a drill however, be cautious not to bend the hinge and ensure that you take out the pins as well.

Find the sticking points first, and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs on 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 increase the gap, and in most cases, solve the issue.

An alternative is to remove the hinge pins and then hammer them out to make them more spread apart and will solve the problem. However, this isn't recommended since it can damage the hinge, and should only be done when the door isn't shut properly.

Another possibility is a screw that doesn't close, which could result from a sagging screw hole or a sliding doorframe. In this instance, place a 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 in the hole and strengthen the area to allow the screw to grip. Repeat this process for any remaining holes that do not tighten. Close the door and check to see if it shuts correctly. If the problem persists it may be necessary to keep attempting to solve the issue. It's best to start with the easiest fixes first, and then do more complex repairs if needed.

Shim the Hinges

When the gap between the jamb and the door is too large (a condition known as toe-in) Shimming the hinges can help the door hang straight. You can do this by placing a small amount of cardboard or wood on the jamb's side hinge and then putting two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the door frame. The shims will pull the leaf of the hinge away from the frame, closing the gap and eliminating the bind that caused the issue.

It's a difficult process however, with a bit of care you can do it without damaging the hinge or door. Shimming is most effective if the screws already in place are removed from each hinge first. (Knowledge: How to Remove the Pin From a Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges in order to avoid unscrewing them.

You'll need to open and close the door a number of times after the hinges are moved to ensure that they are working properly. If the door still binds, you can add more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door and the hinge and the door are closed.

Another method to correct the binding hinge is to make the mortise larger, which is done by removing the hole with a chisel and filling it up with wood putty. Be sure to paint and sand the putty prior to placing it on the hinge to match the rest of the frame. It's not as precise as shmming but it's a simple fix for an out-of-alignment hinge.  double glazed window repairs 's not as destructive as hanging the door again.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door still sticks after closing hinges and shimming it, the jamb may be out of alignment. This can be resolved by gently tapping on wooden shims that are located on the latch 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 aligned on both sides of the frame.

After you have shimmied the door frame, you are able to tighten the screws that hold the strikeplate to the latch side to prevent it from scratching against the latch. You can use either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill for this, depending on the severity of the damage.

Sometimes, gouges, dents, and nicks in the frame cause it to stick to the door. If it's just tiny scratches and nicks, you can smooth out the surface with wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door, and then sand it before painting or staining. If you have more serious dents or gouges, you might need to replace the damaged section of the jamb.

If your door is still stuck after you've tried filling, sanding, or refining the frame, it may be time to get rid of the entire door and begin again. It's best if you can afford to purchase new components and do it right however, sometimes you can save the door by working on small portions of the frame, without completely eliminating it. Be cautious not to compromise the 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 is able to catch the door bolt and holds the door in a closed position. The shifting and setting of doors over time may cause the strike plate to become misaligned with the latch. If the latch cannot seat into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can lead burglaries and door kick ins. An easy fix is to simply tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill can aid.

Before adjusting the strike plate apply a thin strip of lipstick or other marking substance to the latch. Close the door and then open it. If the lipstick marks suggest that the latch is positioned above or below the hole of the strike plate, the problem may be with the hinges.

If the marks show that the latch is too high or low in the strike plate hole, then use a small piece of cardboard that fits into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This can often resolve the issue, especially when it's caused due to sunken or hinges that are recessed or sunken. It will also make it easier to make repairs that look professional.

To adjust the strikeplate, remove it from your door jamb. Then, use a file on the hole where the strikeplate is meant to be. A half-round file is the best choice because it matches the shape of the strike plate's hole. Reinstall the strike plate and close the door to check if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is not clearing the hole then use a chisel alter the shape of the jamb where it meets the strike plate.