How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues are simple to fix, particularly if you can do the work yourself. Sometimes, a task cannot be accomplished without assistance.
A stuck door can be caused by the hinges not tight enough or too loose. If the problem persists, you may need to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.
Check the Door
As the weather turns cooler homeowners often take this time to tidy up the yard and check their doors. This once-a year inspection should be a lookout for any damage, and also highlight any areas that aren't performing as they should.
Examine for corrosion or rust on door hardware, such as hinges, as well as on the frame. Also, look for damaged or damaged weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering the house and prevent air leaks that can reduce the efficiency of a home's energy usage.
Also, take note of whether any doors are sticking, particularly after a storm. A door that is more 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 is swelling due to humidity. A hygrometer test could be used to determine the cause of this problem.
If your door is becoming swollen, you can tighten the hinge screws using a screwdriver. If the issue persists, you might try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's also important to check the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are expected in time, any major damage that was not there prior to the repair should be addressed immediately.
While it is sometimes possible to fix the door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to prevent further problems. To ensure structural integrity any wood that is rotting should be replaced. If you notice structural issues that are significant to doors, it's recommended to call an experienced door systems technician to assess and repair any necessary damage.
Tighten the Hinges
Door hinge screws can loosen over time. If you leave them unattended they may cause damage to the hinge or rip out the screw holes. The screws can be tightened by hand or with a power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge and remove the pins.
First, find the points of friction and decide what to do next. If the door rubs against the top or drags, you could 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 a little larger and often solves the issue.
This can also resolve the issue. The most drastic solution is to remove the hinge pins, hammer them so they are more spread apart and then replace them. However, this isn't recommended since it could damage the hinge, and should only be done if the door isn't shut properly.
A hole that is stripped of screws, or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. In this instance, place the wood plug (or match) that has been dipped in carpenter's adhesive into the screw hole. Allow it to dry before you can reattach your hinge. This will fill the hole and reinforce the area to allow the screw to be held in place. Repeat as needed for any screw holes that won't tighten. Close the door and check to see if it shuts correctly. If not, you may be required to continue tackling the issue. Begin with window glass repair near me and only perform more complex repairs when needed.
Shim the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be utilized 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 accomplished by placing a small wedge of cardboard or wood under the hinge on the jamb side, and then adding one or more thin wooden shims between the hinge and the frame of the door. The shims will push the hinge leaf away from the frame to close the gap, eliminating the bind that caused the issue.
It's a difficult process, but with a little caution, you can accomplish it without damaging the door or hinge. Shimming is most effective when the screws that are in place are removed from each hinge first (Knowledge: How to Remove the Pin From the Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges to avoid unscrewing them.
After the hinges have been moved and the door is closed, you'll have to shut and open the door several times to make sure that they're operating correctly. If the door still binds it, you can put on more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door and between the hinge and the door are closed.
You can also fix the binding hinge of a door by expanding the size of the mortise. This is done by removing the hole using a chisel and then filling it with wood putty. To be able to match the rest of your frame, sand the putty and paint it before applying it to the hinge. This isn't as precise as shimming, but it's a simple fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's also less damaging than trying to fix the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door still binds after tightening the hinges and shifting, you may have a problem with the jamb not being of line. This can be corrected by gently tapping wooden shims on the latch's edge to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Measure the shims using a carpenter's square, then move them around the frame to ensure that it is level.
Once you've shimmed the door frame and tightened 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 a manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to accomplish this, based on the extent of the damage.
Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges within the frame could cause it to become a binder against the door. If it's just a few minor scratches, you can smooth the surface using wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door and then sand it before painting or staining. If you have more serious dents or gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged section of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding and filling but your door is still to get stuck, it's time to remove the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. If you can afford it, it's best to replace the parts and do it right. However, you might be able save the door if you work on small pieces of the frame without having to remove the whole thing. Be cautious not to compromise the integrity of the frame, particularly if you are dealing with old wood that has been exposed to moisture over the years.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate grabs the bolt that holds the door in an open position. The shifting and setting of doors over time may cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch isn't able to fit into the strike plate, it won't be able to stay closed, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. A quick fix for this is to tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If this doesn't help then you can try shimming or adding wood fill to the hinges.
Before making adjustments to the strike plate, apply a thin strip of lipstick or another marking substance to the latch. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is touching above or below the the strike plate, the issue may be with the hinges.
If the marks show that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, use a small piece of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise, and then replace the hinge. This is often a solution to the problem, in the event that it's caused by the sunken or hinges that are recessed or sunken. It also makes it easier to make a professional looking repair.
To adjust the strike plate, remove it from the jamb of 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 since it matches the curvature of the hole for the strike plate. Install the strike plate and close the door to 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 make use of the chisel in the jamb to shape it where the strike plate is positioned to meet the jamb.