10 Tell-Tale Signs You Must See To Get A New Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues can be easily fixed in the event that the work is completed by you. Sometimes a project just cannot be accomplished without assistance.
Often, the cause of a sticking door is simply that the hinges need to be tightened or moved. If the problem persists then you might need to sand or plane the latch side of the door.
Inspect the Door
As the weather turns cooler, many homeowners use this time to tidy up the yard and inspect their doors. This annual inspection should not only check for signs of damage, but also identify areas that aren't performing as they should.
Find corrosion and rust on door hardware such as hinges, as well as on the frame. Look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering your home and also stop air leaks that could reduce the efficiency of a home's energy usage.
Note whether any doors are stuck, particularly after a storm. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which increases wear every time it's used and could lead to more expensive repairs later on. This kind of issue could be caused by swollen wood which happens when humidity alters the amount of moisture in the wood of the door. A simple test with the aid of a hygrometer will help determine the cause of this problem.
If your door is swollen and you are unable to close it, you can use a screwdriver for tightening the hinge screws. If the problem continues then you may try shimming the hinges or replace them altogether.
It's important to check the door for cosmetic damages. While minor dents and scratches are common over time, any significant damage that was not present before should be repaired as soon as possible.
While it is sometimes possible to fix a door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as possible to avoid any further issues. To ensure the structural integrity of your home, any wood rot should be replaced. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems if you notice significant structural issues. They can assess the damage and make the necessary repairs.
Close the Hinges
Door hinge screws can loosen over time. If you do not watch them, they may damage the hinge or damage the screws' holes. The screws can be tightened by hand or using a power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge and remove the pins.
The first step is to locate the sticking points and decide how to proceed. If the door rubs near the top or is dragging 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 connects to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will increase the gap and usually solve the issue.
This will also solve the problem. A more drastic solution is to remove the hinge pins, hammer them so they are more spread apart and then replace them. This is not recommended as it can damage the hinge. It should only be done if the door isn't closing properly.
Another issue that could be a problem is a screw that won't tighten, which could be caused by a stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe. In this instance, place an apron (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive into the screw hole. Let it dry before you can reattach your hinge. double glazing window repairs will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat this process for any holes that will not tighten. Close the door and test to determine if it is shut properly. If the issue continues, you may have to continue troubleshooting. Start with the easiest solutions and then make more complicated repairs if needed.
Shift the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be used to help the door hang straight when the gap between the jamb and door frame is too large (a condition known as toe-in). This can be accomplished by placing a small wedge of wood or cardboard under the hinge on the jamb side and adding one or more thin, wooden shims between the hinge and the door frame. The shims push the hinge leaf away from the frame to close the gap, eliminating the bind that caused the issue.
It's not an easy process, but with a little attention, you can complete it without causing damage to the hinge or door. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shimming (Knowledge How to remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). It is possible to pull the door off of its hinges in order to avoid unscrewing.
Once the hinges have been shifted and the door is closed, you'll have to shut and open the door several times to ensure 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 the hinge and the door are shut.
Another way to fix a binding hinge is to make the mortise larger, which can be accomplished by scraping the hole with the chisel, then filling it in with wood putty. To match the frame's rest make sure to sand the putty, then paint it prior to applying it to the hinge. This isn't as accurate as shmming but it's an easy solution for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's also less harmful than attempting to rehang the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door still binds after tightening the hinges and shimming the hinges, you could have a problem with the jamb being out of line. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and the wall on the latch side of the frame to bring it back to level. Be sure to take measurements with the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until it is plumb on both sides of the frame.
After you've shimmed your door frame, you can tighten the screws that hold the strike plate to the latch side of the frame to prevent it from scraping against the latch. You can use either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to do this, based on the severity of the damage.
Sometimes, dents, gouges and nicks in the frame will cause it to stick to the door. If it's just a few minor scratches and nicks, you can smooth out the surface with wood filler that matches the color of the trim around the door and then sand it down prior to staining or painting. If the dents are more extensive, you may have to replace the damaged part of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding or filling but your door is still to get stuck, it's time to get rid of the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. It's best to do this in the event that you have the money to purchase new parts and do it right but there are times when you can save the door by working on tiny sections of the frame without completely eliminating it. Be careful not to compromise integrity of the frame, particularly if you are dealing with old wood that has been exposed to moisture over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate holds the door in its closed position by engaging the door bolt. As time passes, the strike plate can be disaligned. If the latch does not fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can lead burglaries and door kick-ins. The easiest solution is to tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If it doesn't work, then shifting the hinges or adding wood fill can help.
Before adjusting the strike plate apply a strip of lipstick or other marking substance to the latch. Close the door, then open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is touching between the strike plate's hole, it could be a problem with sagging hinges, rather than the strike plate's position.
If the marks indicate that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, you can use small pieces of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This will usually fix the issue if it's caused by sunken hinges and makes it easier to make a professional repair.
To adjust the strike plate, take it from the door jamb and then make use of a file to increase the hole in the jamb where the strike plate will go. A half-round file is the best because it is in line with the curvature of the hole for the strike plate. Reinstall the strike plate, close the door and check if the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole properly. If the latch cannot clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to shape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.