Don't Stop! 15 Things About Door Repair We're Sick Of Hearing
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems are easy to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes, a task isn't feasible without help.
A stuck door can be caused by the hinges being too tight or too loose. If the issue persists then you might need to sand or plane the latch side of the door.
Check the Door
Many homeowners clean out their yards and inspect their doors as the weather cools. This once-a year inspection should be a lookout for any damage, and also highlight any areas which aren't working as they should.
Look for rust and corrosion on door hardware, such as hinges, as well as on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This helps keep drafts out of your home and also prevents air leaks that can cause a home to become less energy efficient.
Note whether any doors are stuck, especially after a strong wind. A stickier door is harder to open and close, which increases wear each time you use it and could result in more expensive repairs down the road. This issue can arise when the wood of the door becomes swollen due to humidity. A simple test using an hygrometer can help pinpoint the cause of this problem.
If your door is swelling and you are unable to close it, you can use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem continues, you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's important to check the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are normal in time, any major damage that was not there prior to the repair should be addressed as soon as possible.
While it is sometimes possible to repair a door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. Any wood rot needs to be repaired to ensure the integrity of the structure. If you notice significant structural issues with the door, it's recommended to contact an experienced door systems technician to assess and repair any damage that may be required.
Tighten the Hinges
Door hinge screws can become loose over time. If you don't watch them they may cause damage to the hinge or damage the screws' holes. You can tighten the screws by hand or with a drill, but be careful not to bend the hinge, and ensure that you remove the pins as well.
Locate the sticking points first and then decide what to do. If the door rubs at the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that is connected to the strike plate). This will widen the gap and usually solve the problem.
This can also resolve the problem. A more drastic solution is to remove the hinge pins, then hammer them to make them more spread apart and then replace them. However, this isn't recommended since it can damage the hinge, and should only be done when the door doesn't shut properly.
A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. If this is the case, simply insert a wood block or match coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole and let it to set before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and reinforce the area to allow the screw to hold the screw. Repeat this procedure for any remaining holes that do not tighten. Then close the door and check to see whether it is now shut correctly. If not, you might be required to continue tackling the issue. Begin with the simplest fixes and only perform more complex repairs when needed.
Shim the Hinges
When the gap between the jamb and the door is too wide (a condition referred to as a toe-in), shimming the hinges can help the door hang straight. This can be accomplished by placing a small bit of cardboard or wood beneath the hinge on the jamb side and adding one or more thin wooden shims between the hinge and the frame of the door. The shims pull the hinge leaf 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. Shimming is most effective if the existing screws are removed from each hinge first (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). It is possible to pry the door off of its hinges to stop the screws from slipping out.
You'll need to open and close the door several times after the hinges have been moved to ensure that they are working properly. If the door is still stuck then you can use shims to seal the gaps between the hinge and the door.
You can also fix a binding door hinge by expanding the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by scraping the hole with a chisel then filling it with wood putty. To be able to match the frame's other components take the putty, sand it and paint it prior to affixing it to the hinge. It's not as accurate as shimming but it's a simple fix for an out-of-alignment hinge. It's not as destructive as hanging the door again.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shifting, you may have an issue with the jamb not being of line. This can be resolved by tapping gently on wooden shims that are located on the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Measure the shims using the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to make sure that it is level.
After you have shimmied the door frame, you can tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate on the latch side to prevent it from rubbing against the latch. You can make use of an manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill, based on the extent of the damage.
Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges in the frame can cause it to bind against the door. If there are just small 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. If the dents are more extensive they may require you 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 may be time to get rid of the entire door and start over. It's best when you're able to buy new parts and do it right however, sometimes you'll be able to save the door by working on tiny parts of the frame without completely removing it. Be careful not to compromise integrity of the frame, especially if you're dealing with wood that has been exposed to moisture over the years.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate keeps the door in its closed position by locking the door bolt. As time passes the strike plate could be unbalanced. If the latch cannot fit into the strike plate, it won't be able to stay closed, which can lead to burglaries and door kick-ins. A quick fix for this is to simply tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If door repair doesn't help, you can try shifting or adding wood fill to the hinges.
Apply a thin strip of lipstick or another marking substance on the latch before adjusting the strike plate. Close the door, then open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is either above or below the strike plate's hole, it may be a problem with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's position.
If the marks suggest that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, you can use a small piece of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise. Replace the hinge. This can often correct the issue caused by sunken hinges and makes it easier to make a professional-looking repair.
To adjust the strikeplate, take it from the jamb on your door. Then, use a file on the hole where the strikeplate is supposed to go. A half-round file is the best since it matches the curve of the hole for the strike plate. Install the strike plate close the door and examine if the latch now clearing the strike plate hole properly. If the latch cannot clear the hole, use the chisel on the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate meets the jamb.