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How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues can be fixed easily, especially if the work is done by you. But, sometimes a job isn't doable without help.
Most of the time, the reason for sticking doors is that the hinges have to be tightened or moved. If the problem persists you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.
Check the Door
Many homeowners clean their yards and check their doors when the weather gets cooler. The annual inspection should look for damage and also reveal any areas that aren't performing as they should.
Check for rust or corrosion on door hardware, including hinges, and also on the frame. Check for damaged or broken weather stripping. This will prevent drafts from entering your home and stop air leaks which can affect the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.
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 out more quickly and will cost more to fix. This kind of issue could be caused by swollen wood, that occurs when humidity changes the amount of moisture in the wood of the door. A hygrometer test is used to determine the cause of this issue.
If your door is swelling and you are unable to close it, you can use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's also important to check the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are normal in time, any major damage that wasn't there prior to the repair should be addressed as soon as is possible.
While it's possible to repair a door that has a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as is possible to prevent further problems. To ensure the integrity of the structure wood rot, it should be replaced. If you find structural issues that are significant to doors, it's recommended to call a trained door systems technician to assess and repair any necessary damage.
Close the Hinges
Door hinge screws can loosen over time. If you do not watch them they could damage the hinge or strip the screws' holes. These screws can be tightened manually or using a power drill. Be careful not to bend the door hinge and remove the pins.
Find the points of friction first, and then decide what to do. If the door rubs on the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw into the hinge's latch side (the side that is attached to the strike plate). This will increase the gap and will usually resolve the issue.
windows repair will also solve the issue. The most drastic solution is to remove the hinge pins, hammer them to make them more spread apart and then replace them. This is not recommended since it could cause damage to the hinge. It should only be done when the door isn't closing properly.
Another possibility is a screw that does not close, which could be caused by a damaged screw hole or a sagging doorframe. If this is the case, simply insert a wood block or match coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole, and allow it to set before attaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw will be able to grab hold. Repeat the procedure as needed to fill any remaining screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door and test to see whether it is now shut properly. If not, you might be required to continue tackling the problem. It is recommended to start with the easiest fixes first and only do more complicated repairs if necessary.
Shift the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be used to assist in keeping the door 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 bit 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 pull the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the binding.
This procedure can be difficult however if you're careful you can get the job done without damaging the hinge or door. Shimming is most effective if the screws already in place are removed from each hinge first (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin From a Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges in order to avoid unscrewing them.
You'll need to open and close the door a few times after the hinges have been moved to ensure they're functioning properly. If the door is still stuck, you can add shims to fill in the gap between the hinge and door.
You can also correct the binding hinge of a door by increasing the size of the mortise. This is done by scraping the hole out using a chisel and then filling it with wood putty. Be sure to sand and paint the putty before putting it on the hinge to match the rest of the frame. It's not as precise as shimming but it's a quick fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's also less damaging than trying to rehang the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door is still bound after tightening the hinges and shimming, you may have an issue with the jamb not being of alignment. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and the wall at the latch side of the frame to bring it back in line. Make sure you take measurements of the shims using the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until they are level on both sides of the frame.
Once you've shimmed the door frame then you can tighten the screws that hold the strike plate on the frame's latch side 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 extent of the damage.
Sometimes, gouges, dents and nicks within the frame cause it to become stuck against the door. If there are just small scratches on the frame, you can fill in the area using wood filler that matches trim around the door. Sand it down, then paint or stain it. For more severe dents and gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged part of the jamb.
If your door is still stuck after you've tried filling, sanding, and refining the frame, it might be time to get rid of the entire door and begin again. It's best when you're able to buy new components and do it right but there are times when you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely eliminating it. Be cautious not to compromise the integrity of the frame, especially if you're dealing with old wood that has been exposed to moisture over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate grabs the bolt that holds the door in an open position. As time passes the strike plate could become unbalanced. If the latch cannot seat into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can result in burglaries and door kick ins. To fix this, tighten the screws that are holding the strike plate. If this doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill could help.
Apply a thin strip of lipstick or any other marking material on the latch prior to adjusting strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is touching above or below the hole of the strike plate, the problem could be with the hinges.
If the marks indicate the latch is positioned too high or low in the strike plate hole, use a small piece cardboard to fit the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This can often resolve the issue, particularly when it's caused due to the sunken or hinges that are recessed or sunken. It can also make it easier to do an attractive repair.
To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from the jamb on your door. Then, use a file to make the hole where the strikeplate is meant to be. Half-round files are ideal since it conforms to the curvature of the strike plate's hole. Install the strike plate and close the door to see if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is not clearing the hole then use a chisel shape the area of the jamb where it meets the strike plate.