How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues are easy to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes a project just isn't feasible without help.
A door that is stuck can 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 gets cooler, many homeowners use this time to tidy up the yard and check their doors. This once-a-year inspection should not just be a lookout for signs of damage but also uncover areas that aren't functioning as they should.
Check for rust or corrosion on door hardware, such as hinges, and on the frame. Check for damaged or broken weather stripping. This helps keep drafts out of your home and prevents air leaks, which can make your home less energy efficient.
Be aware of any doors that are stuck, especially after a storm. A door that is stuck is more difficult to open and close, which adds wear each time it's used and could result in more expensive repairs down the road. This problem can be caused when the wood used to construct the door becomes more swollen as a result of humidity. A hygrometer test could be used to identify the cause of this problem.
If your door is becoming swollen, you can tighten the hinge screws with a screwdriver. If door repair persists, then you can try shimming the hinges or replace them all.
It's also important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are normal but any damage that wasn't there before should also be fixed.
It is possible to repair a large door crack. However cracks in wood should be filled in and painted as quickly as possible to avoid any further issues. Any wood rot needs to be replaced as well to ensure the strength of the structure. It is best to contact an expert in door systems when you spot structural issues that are significant. They will assess the damage and make any needed repairs.
Tighten the Hinges
It's normal for hinge screws on doors to loosen over time However, if you let them too long it can cause damage to the hinge, and the screw holes to become stripped. You can tighten the screws by hand or with a drill, however, be cautious not to bend the hinge and be sure to remove the pins too.
Locate the points of friction first, and then decide what to do. If the door rubs close to the top or is dragging on the floor, you can draw in the jamb by driving a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that connects to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap little larger and often solves the issue.
The most drastic option is to remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out so that they're more spread apart, which will also solve the issue. This is not recommended since it could damage the hinge. It should only be done if the door doesn't close properly.
A hole that is stripped of screws or a door frame that is sagging, can also cause the screw to loosen. In this case, insert the wood plug (or match) that has been dipped in 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 grab hold. Repeat as necessary for any remaining screw holes that don't tighten. Then close the door and verify if it now shuts properly. If the issue continues, you may have to keep attempting to solve the issue. It's best to start with the simplest solutions first and then move on to more complex repairs if needed.
Change the Hinges
If the gap between the jamb and door is too large (a condition referred to as toe-in) shifting the hinges can aid in ensuring that the door is straight. It is possible to do this by placing a small piece cardboard or wood on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then putting one or two thin wooden shims between the hinges and the door frame. The shims push the leaf of the hinge away from the frame, closing the gap and eliminate the bind that caused the problem.
It's not an easy process however with a little care you can do it without damaging the hinge or door. Shimming is most effective if the screws that are in place are removed from each hinge first (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). It is possible to pull the door off of its hinges in order to prevent the screws from coming loose.
After the hinges have been moved then you'll need to shut and open the door several times to make sure that they're working properly. If the door is still stuck it is possible to add shims to close the gaps between the hinge and the door.
You can also correct the binding hinge of a door by expanding the size of the mortise. This is done by scraping the hole out using a chisel and then filling it with wood putty. To be able to match the rest of your frame take the putty, sand it and paint it prior to affixing it to the hinge. This isn't as accurate as shifting but it's an easy fix for an out-of-alignment hinge. It's less damaging than rehanging the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after closing the hinges and shimming it, there could be an issue with the jamb not being of alignment. This can be resolved by gently tapping 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 the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to ensure that they are in line.
After you have shimmed the door frame, you are able to tighten the screws that hold the strikeplate to the latch side, to keep it from hitting the latch. You can either use a manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, depending 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 only small scratches on the frame you can fill in the surface with a wood filler that matches the trim around the door. Sand it down, then paint or stain it. If the dents are larger, you may have to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.
If your door is still stuck after you've tried filling, sanding, or re-sanding the frame, it might be time to get rid of the entire door and start from scratch. It's best to do this if you can afford to buy new components and do it right, but sometimes you'll be able to save the door by working on tiny portions of the frame, without completely taking it off. Be careful not to compromise strength of the frame, particularly if you are dealing with wood that has been exposed to moisture over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate is able to catch the door bolt and holds the door in an open position. The movement and setting of doors over time could cause the strike plate to be misaligned with the latch. If the latch cannot seat into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can lead burglaries or door kick-ins. To fix this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If that doesn't work, changing the hinges' angle or adding wood fill could aid.
Apply a strip of lipstick or other marking material on the latch prior to adjusting strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks reveal that the latch is touching between the strike plate hole, it could be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's location.
If the marks indicate the latch is sitting too high or low in the strike plate's hole, use a small piece cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise. Replace the hinge. This can often correct the issue caused by sunken hinges. This makes it easier to do an attractive repair.
To adjust the strike plate, remove it from the door jamb and then make use of a file to increase the hole in the jamb that the strike plate goes. Half-round files are ideal because it matches the curvature of the strike plate's hole. Reinstall the strike plate close the door and examine if the latch now able to clear the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch is not clearing the hole then use a chisel reshape the area of the jamb that meets the strike plate.