12 Door Repair Facts To Refresh Your Eyes At The Water Cooler

How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many issues with doors can be fixed easily in the event that the work is done by you. Sometimes a project just cannot be accomplished without assistance.

Often, the cause of stuck doors is that the hinges need to be tightened or shifted. If the problem persists, you may need to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.

Check the door for damage.

As the weather gets cooler homeowners often take this time to clean the yard and check their doors. The annual inspection should not just be a lookout for signs of damage but also reveal any areas that aren't working as they should.

Look for rust and corrosion on door hardware like hinges, and on the frame. Also, look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This keeps drafts out of your home and prevents air leaks, which can make a home less energy efficient.

Be aware of any doors that are sticking, particularly after a storm. A door that is more difficult to open or close will wear faster and cost more to repair. This issue can occur when the wood used to construct the door gets more swollen as a result of humidity. A hygrometer test is used to determine the cause of this issue.

If your door is becoming swollen or swollen, you can use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists, then you can try to shimm the hinges or even replace them completely.

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

Although it's sometimes possible to glass window repair the door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as possible to avoid any further issues. To ensure the integrity of the structure any wood that is rotting must be replaced. If you discover structural issues that are significant to the door, it's best to call in a trained door systems technician to evaluate and repair any damage that is required.

Then tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws can become loose over time. If you do not watch them, they may damage the hinge or strip the screw holes. These screws can be tightened by hand or with the power drill. Be cautious not to bend the door hinge and take out the pins.

The first step is to locate the points of friction and decide how to proceed. If the door rubs at the top or drags, you can countersink a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that is attached to the strike plate). This will make the gap little larger and often solves the problem.

An alternative is to simply remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out until they're more spread apart, which will also solve the problem. This is not recommended as it could cause damage to the hinge. It is only recommended to do this when the door isn't closing properly.

Another issue that could be a problem is a screw that doesn't close, Sash window repairs which could be caused by a stripped screw hole or a sliding doorframe. In this instance, place an apron (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 so that the screw can hold the screw. Repeat the procedure as needed for any screw holes that aren't tight enough. Then close the door and verify if it now shuts correctly. If the issue persists, you may have to keep attempting to solve the issue. Start with the easiest fixes, and then proceed to more complex Sash Window Repairs if necessary.

Shim the Hinges

Shimming hinges can be utilized to aid in hanging the door straight when the gap between the jamb and the door is too wide (a condition called toe-in). It is possible to do this by placing a small piece cardboard or wood on the jamb-side hinge, and then placing one or two thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims will push the hinge leaf away from the door frame, closing the gap and getting rid of the bind that created the problem.

It's not an easy process however with a little care you can do it without damaging the door or hinge. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). It is possible to pull the door off of its hinges in order to avoid unscrewing.

Once the hinges are shifted and the door is closed, you'll have to close and open the door a few times to ensure that they're functioning properly. If the door is still stuck then you can use shims to close the gaps between the door and hinge.

Another way to correct a binding hinge is by making the mortise bigger. This is done by scraping out the hole with the chisel, then filling it up with wood putty. To match the frame's other components, sand the putty and paint it prior to applying it to the hinge. This isn't as precise as shimming but it's a quick fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's also less damaging than attempting to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door is still bound after closing the hinges and shimming the hinges, you could have an issue with the jamb not being of line. This can be corrected by tapping gently on wooden shims that are located on the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Take measurements of the shims with repairing a door carpenter's square, then move them around the frame to ensure that it is level.

After you've shimmied the door frame, you are able to tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate on the latch side to stop it from rubbing against the latch. You can either make use of an manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, based on the severity of damage.

Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges within the frame could 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 part of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding, gluing, and filling your door and it continues to bind, it's probably 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 properly however, sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely removing it. Be careful not to compromise integrity of the frame, especially if you're dealing with old 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 could be misaligned. If the latch isn't able to fit into the strike plate it will not remain closed, which can lead to burglaries and door kick-ins. A quick fix for this is repairs to double glazed windows simply tighten the screws that support the strike plate. If this doesn't help, you can try shifting or adding wood filler to the hinges.

Apply a stripe of lipstick or any other marking substance on the latch prior to adjusting strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks reveal that the latch is touching above or below the strike plate hole, it could be a problem with sagging hinges, rather than the strike plate's location.

If the marks indicate the latch is sitting too high or low in the strike plate's hole, you can use a small piece of cardboard to fit into the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This is often a way to fix the issue if it's caused by sunken hinges. It also allows for a professional-looking repair.

To adjust the strikeplate, remove it from the jamb of your door. Then, you can use a file to make the hole where the strikeplate is supposed to go. A half-round file is ideal because it is in line with the shape of the strike plate's hole. Close the door, then reinstall the strikeplate, and then check that it is now able to clear 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 meets the jamb.