10 Tell-Tale Signals You Should Know To Know Before You Buy Door Repair

How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door issues can be easily fixed, especially if the work is performed by you. However, sometimes a project can't be completed without assistance.

A door that is stuck can be due to the hinges being too tight or too loose. If the problem persists you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Inspect the Door

Many homeowners clean out their yards and check their doors as the weather cools. This once-a year inspection should be a lookout for any damage and also reveal any areas that aren't functioning as they should.

Examine for corrosion or rust on door hardware, such as hinges, and also on the frame. Also, look for damaged or damaged weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering the home and stop air leaks which can reduce the efficiency of a home's energy usage.

Note whether any doors are stuck, particularly in the aftermath of a strong wind. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear out faster and will cost more to fix. This issue can occur by the fact that the wood of the door becomes swelling due to humidity. A hygrometer test could be used to determine the source of this issue.

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

It's also important that you check the door for any cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are normal over time, any serious 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 possible to avoid further issues. To ensure the structural integrity of your home, any wood rot has to be replaced. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems if you spot structural issues that are significant. They will be able to examine the damage and make any necessary repairs.

Tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you do not watch them, they may damage the hinge or strip the screw holes. You can tighten these screws by hand or with a drill, but be careful not to bend the hinge and be sure to remove the pins too.

Find the sticking points first and then decide what to do. If the door rubs near the top or is dragging on the floor, you can draw in the jamb by using a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that connects to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will widen the gap and usually solve the issue.

This will also fix the problem. A more drastic solution is to take off the hinge pins, hammer them until they are spread apart and then replace them. However it's not recommended as it can damage the hinge and should only be done if the door isn't shut correctly.

Another possible issue is a screw that won't tighten, which could be caused by a stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe. If this is the case, insert a wood plug or match coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole, and allow it to set before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen the area so that the screw will be able to hold the screw. Repeat this process for any holes that aren't tightening. Then close the door and verify if it now shuts properly. If not, you may need to continue troubleshooting the issue. Start with the most basic solutions and then make more complex repairs if necessary.

Change the Hinges

Shimming hinges can be used to aid in hanging the door straight when the gap between the jamb and door frame is too wide (a condition known as toe-in). This can be done by placing a small bit of cardboard or wood under the hinge on the jamb side and adding one or more thin wooden shims between the hinge and the door frame. The shims will pull the hinge leaf away from the door frame to close the gap, getting rid of the bind that created the problem.

This technique can be a bit tricky, but if you're careful you can complete the task without damaging the hinge or door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shifting (Knowledge - How to remove the pin from a Door Hinge). It might be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges to avoid unscrewing.

You'll need to open and close the door several times after the hinges are moved to ensure they're working correctly. If the door still sticks, you can add shims to fill in the gap between the hinge and door.

You can also correct a binding door hinge by expanding the size of the mortise. This is done by scraping the hole with a chisel, and then filling it with wood putty. Be sure to polish and sand the putty before putting it on the hinge to match the frame's other components. This isn't as precise as shimming but it's an easy fix for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's also less damaging than trying to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shifting the hinges, you could have an issue with the jamb being out of line. This can be corrected by gently tapping on wooden shims at the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. The shims are measured using a carpenter’s square, and then move them around the frame to make sure that they are in line.

After you've shimmed your door frame and tightened the screws that secure the strike plate to the latch side of the frame to stop it from scraping against the latch. You can use either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to do this, depending on the extent of the damage.

Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges in the frame may cause it to become a binder against the door. If it's just tiny scratches, you can smooth 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 part of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding and filling but your door is still to lock, it's time to get rid of the door and start working on the frame from scratch. It's best in the event that you have the money to purchase new parts and do it right, but sometimes you can save the door by working on tiny parts of the frame without completely eliminating it. Be cautious not to compromise the strength 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 is used to hold the door in the closed position by locking the bolt that holds the door. Over time the strike plate could become disaligned. If the latch cannot seat into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can result in burglaries or door kick-ins. An easy fix is to tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't work then you can try shredding or adding wood fill to the hinges.

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

If the marks suggest that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, use small pieces of cardboard that fits into the mortise of the hinge and then replace the hinge. This can often correct the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges.  glass window repair  makes it easier to do a professional repair.

To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from the jamb of your door. Then, you can use an appropriate file to mark the hole where the strikeplate is meant to be. A half-round file is the best since it matches the shape of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Reinstall the strike plate and close the door to check if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole properly. If the latch still does not clear the hole make use of the chisel in the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate meets the jamb.