How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems can be fixed easily, especially if the work is done by you. But, sometimes a job isn't doable without help.
A door that is stuck could be due to the hinges being too tight or loose. If the problem persists, you may need to sand or plane the latch side of the door.
Check the Door
As the weather turns cooler, many homeowners use this time to clean up the yard and inspect their doors. The annual inspection should look for damage, and also highlight any areas that aren't performing as they should.
Find corrosion and rust on door hardware like hinges, and on the frame. Similarly, check for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering the house and also stop air leaks that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.
Be aware of any doors that 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 issue can arise when the wood used to construct the door gets more swollen as a result of humidity. A simple test using a hygrometer can help identify the cause of this problem.
If your door is swelling, then you can make use of a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the issue persists, you may try shimming your hinges or replacing them.
It's also important to check the door for any damage that appears to be cosmetic. While minor dents and scratches are normal, any damage that was not there before should be fixed.
While it is sometimes possible to repair doors that have a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. To ensure the structural integrity of your home wood rot, it has to be replaced. It is best to contact a door systems technician if you find significant structural issues. They will be able to examine the damage and make any necessary repairs.
Tighten the Hinges
It is common for screws on door hinges to loosen up over time, but if you leave them in place for too long, it could damage the hinge and cause the holes in the screws to become stripped. You can tighten the screws manually or using a drill however, be cautious not to bend the hinge and be sure to remove the pins too.
The first step is to locate the sticking points and determine the best way to proceed. If the door rubs near the top or drags onto the floor then you can draw in the jamb by using a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that is attached to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap little larger and often solves the issue.
This will also fix the issue. A more drastic solution is to take off the hinge pins, then hammer them to make them more spread apart and then replace them. This is not recommended as it could damage the hinge. It should only be done when the door isn't closing properly.
A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. In this case, insert a wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching your hinge. upvc window repairs near me will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat the procedure as needed for any screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door and test to see if it now shuts correctly. If not, you'll need to continue troubleshooting the problem. It is recommended to start with the easiest fixes first, and then do more complex repairs if needed.
Change the Hinges
When the gap between the jamb and door is too wide (a condition referred to as toe-in) Shimming the hinges can aid in ensuring that the door is straight. This can be done by placing a small piece wood or cardboard on the jamb's side hinge and then putting one or two thin wooden shims between the hinges and the door frame. The shims will push the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the binding.
It's a tricky method, but with a little care you can do it without causing damage to the door or hinge. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shifting (Knowledge - How to Remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). It might be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges in order to avoid unscrewing.
You'll need to open and close the door a number of times after the hinges are moved to ensure that they're working correctly. If the door still sticks then you can use shims to fill in the gap between the door and hinge.
Another way to correct the binding hinge is to make the mortise wider. This is done by scraping the hole with a chisel and filling it in with wood putty. Be sure to polish and sand the putty prior to placing it on the hinge to match the rest of the frame. It's not as accurate as shmming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's not as destructive as hanging the door from the ceiling.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after closing the hinges and shimming the hinges, you could have an issue with the jamb out of plumb. It is possible to fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall on the latch side of the frame in order to bring it back to level. Make sure you take measurements of the shims using a carpenter's square and move them around the frame until they are level on both sides of the frame.
After you've shimmed your door frame then you can tighten the screws that secure the strike plate to the frame's latch side to prevent it from scraping against the latch. You can use an manual Phillips screwdriver or drill, based on the extent of the damage.
Sometimes, dents, gouges, and nicks in the frame will cause it to stick against the door. If it's just a few minor dents and nicks, you can smooth out the surface using wood filler that matches the color of the trim around the door, and then sand it down prior to staining or painting. If you have more serious dents or gouges, you may need to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding, gluing, and 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 smaller parts of the frame without completely eliminating it. Be careful not to damage the integrity of the rest of the frame, especially when you're dealing with wood that's been exposed to humidity over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate is used to hold the door in its closed position by catching the bolt that holds the door. The movement and setting of a door over time could cause the strike plate to become misaligned with the latch. If the latch cannot fit into the strike plate, it will not remain closed, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. To remedy this, tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If this doesn't work you, try shimming or adding wood filler to the hinges.
Apply a strip of lipstick or other marking substance on the latch prior to adjusting strike plate. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks reveal that the latch is touching with the strike plate hole it may be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's position.
If the marks indicate the latch is positioned too high or low in the strike plate hole then you can use a small piece of cardboard to fit into the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This can often correct the issue if it's caused by sunken hinges. This makes it easier to make a professional-looking repair.
To adjust the strike plate, remove it from the door jamb and then employ a file to widen the hole in the jamb that the strike plate is. A half-round filing is ideal, as it matches the curve of the hole for the strike plate. Install the strike plate, close the door and see if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole properly. If the latch is still not clearing the hole using a chisel, reshape the area of the jamb that is in contact with the strike plate.