10 Door Repair-Related Meetups You Should Attend
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems are easy to fix, particularly when you can complete the work yourself. But, sometimes a job isn't doable without help.
Often, double glazing window repairs of stuck doors is that the hinges must be tightened or moved. If the problem persists, you may need to sand or plane the latch side of the door.
Check the door for damage.
Many homeowners clean out their yards and check their doors when the weather gets cooler. The annual inspection shouldn't just be a lookout for signs of damage but also reveal any areas that aren't working as they should.
Check for rust or corrosion on door hardware, like hinges, and on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will prevent drafts from entering the home and stop air leaks which can affect the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.
Be aware of any doors that are sticking, especially after a wind event. A door that is more difficult to open or close will wear out more quickly and will cost more to fix. This type of problem can be caused by swollen wood, which happens when humidity alters the moisture content in the door's wood. A hygrometer test could be used to determine the cause of this problem.
If your door is swelling, you can tighten the hinge screws with a screwdriver. If the problem continues then you should try to shimm the hinges or even replace them completely.
It's also important that you check the door for any cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are expected over time, any significant damage that was not there before should be repaired immediately.
While it's possible to repair the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as possible to avoid further issues. To ensure the integrity of the structure wood rot, it must be replaced. It is recommended to contact a door systems technician if you notice significant structural issues. They will examine the damage and make the necessary repairs.
Then tighten the Hinges
It is common for screws on door hinges to work themselves loose as time passes, but if you leave them for too long, they could cause damage to the hinge and the holes in the screws to become stripped. The screws can be tightened manually or using the power drill. Be careful not to bend the door hinge and remove the pins.
The first step is to locate the sticking points and determine what to do next. If the door rubs close to the top or drags on the floor then you can draw in the jamb by inserting a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that attaches to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap slightly larger and can often resolve the issue.
The most drastic option is to simply remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out to make them more dispersed and will solve the issue. This is not recommended since it could cause damage to the hinge. It should only be done if the door does not close properly.
Another possible issue is a screw that doesn't tighten, which could be caused by a stripped screw hole or sagging doorframe. In this instance, place an apron (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive into the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill in the hole and strengthen the area so that the screw will be able to be held in place. Repeat as necessary for any screw holes that don't tighten. Then close the door and test to see if it now shuts properly. If the issue persists then you might need to keep attempting to solve the issue. Start with the most basic fixes, and then proceed to more complex repairs when needed.
Shim the Hinges
Shimming hinges are a great option to help the door hang straight when the gap between the jamb and the door is too wide (a condition called toe-in). This can be done by placing a small piece wood or cardboard on the jamb-side hinge, and then placing two or three thin wooden shims that are placed between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims will push the hinge leaf away from the frame closing the gap and eliminating the bind that caused the issue.
This procedure can be difficult however if you're careful you can complete the task without causing damage to the hinge or door. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). It might be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges in order to prevent the screws from coming loose.
Once the hinges are shifted, you'll need to shut and open the door several times to make sure they're functioning properly. If the door doesn't stay in place then you can use shims to fill in the gaps between the hinge and the door.
Another way to fix a binding hinge is by making the mortise bigger. This can be done by scraping the hole with a chisel and filling it with wood putty. To make it look like the frame's other components make sure to sand the putty, then paint it prior to applying it to the hinge. This isn't as accurate as shifting, but it's a quick fix for an out-of-alignment hinge. It's less damaging than hanging the door again.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door still binds after closing the hinges and shimming, you may have an issue with the jamb being out of alignment. This can be corrected by tapping gently on wooden shims at the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Take measurements of the shims with a carpenter’s square, and then move them around the frame to make sure it is plumb.
After you've shimmed your door frame then you can tighten the screws that hold 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 accomplish this, depending on the scope of the damage.
Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges within the frame could cause it to bind against the door. If it's only 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 before painting or staining. If you have more serious dents or gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.
If your door still binds after filling, sanding, and re-sanding the frame, it might be time to take down the entire door and start from scratch. It's best to do this in the event that you have the money to purchase new components and do it properly but there are times when you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely eliminating it. Be careful not to damage the strength of the rest of the frame, especially when you're dealing with wood that has been subjected to humidity over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate keeps the door in the closed position by locking the door bolt. As time passes the strike plate may become unbalanced. If the latch does not fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which could lead to burglaries and door kick ins. To fix this issue, tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If that doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill may aid.
Before adjusting the strike plate, apply a thin strip of lipstick or a similar marking substance to the latch. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is either with the strike plate hole, it could be an issue with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's location.
If the marks suggest that the latch is too high or low in the strike plate hole, take a small piece of cardboard to fit the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This is often a way to fix the issue caused by sunken hinges and makes it easier to do an attractive repair.
To adjust the strike plate, remove it from the jamb on the door and then use a file to enlarge the hole in the jamb where the strike plate will go. A half-round file is the best choice since it conforms to the curvature of the strike plate's hole. Install the strike plate, close the door and examine if the latch now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch still does not clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to shape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.