3 Common Causes For Why Your Door Repair Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many issues with doors can be fixed easily particularly if the work is completed by you. But, sometimes a job isn't feasible without help.
A door that is stuck could be due to the hinges being too tight or loose. If the problem persists it is possible to sand or plane the latch side of the door.
Check the Door
As the temperature drops, many homeowners use this time to clean up the yard and check their doors. This annual inspection should not just check for signs of damage, but also uncover areas that aren't performing as they should.
Check for corrosion and rust on door hardware such as hinges, and on the frame. Also, look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This keeps drafts out of the house and also prevents air leaks that could cause a home to become less energy efficient.
Check if any doors are stuck, especially after a storm. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear out faster and will cost more to fix. This problem can be caused by the fact that the wood of the door becomes swelling due to humidity. sash window repair is used to determine the source of this problem.
If your door is swelling or swollen, you can use a screwdriver for tightening the hinge screws. If the issue persists, you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damages. While minor dents and scratches are to be expected, any damage that was not present before must be repaired.
It is possible to repair a significant door crack. However all wood cracks must be filled in and painted as soon as is possible to avoid recurring problems. To ensure structural integrity wood rot, it should be replaced. If you find significant structural issues with a door, it is recommended to contact a trained door systems technician to evaluate and repair any damage that may be required.
Then tighten the Hinges
It's common for door hinge screws to loosen up over time, but if you leave them for too long, they could damage the hinge and cause the screw holes to become stripped. The screws can be tightened manually or using the power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge of your door and remove the pins.
The first step is to locate the points of friction and decide what to do next. If the door rubs on the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw onto the latch side of hinge (the side that is connected to the strike plate). This will widen the gap and usually solve the issue.
A more drastic approach is to simply remove the hinge pins and hammer them out so that they're more evenly spaced, which will also solve the problem. This is not recommended as it could cause damage to the hinge. It is only recommended to do this when the door does not close properly.
A damaged screw hole or a sagging doorframe could also cause a screw to not tighten. In this situation, insert the wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching 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 for any screw holes that aren't tight enough. Close the door and test to see if now it is shut properly. If not, you may need to continue troubleshooting the problem. It's best to start with the easiest fixes first and only do more involved repairs when necessary.
Shim the Hinges
If the gap between the jamb and door is too wide (a condition referred to as a toe-in), shimming the hinges can help the door hang straight. This can be done by placing a small amount of wood or cardboard on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then putting one or two thin wooden shims that are placed between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims push the leaf of the hinge away from the frame closing the gap and eliminate the bind that caused the problem.
It's not an easy process however, with a bit of care you can do it without causing damage to the door or hinge. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge - How to remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges in order to prevent them from coming loose.
You'll need to open and close the door several times after the hinges have been moved to make sure they are working properly. If the door continues to bind you can increase the shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door as well as the hinge and the door are sealed.
You can also fix the binding hinge of a door by expanding the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by removing the hole using a chisel and then filling it with wood putty. To be able to match the frame's rest make sure to sand the putty, then paint it before applying it to the hinge. This is not as accurate as shimming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's also less destructive than trying to rehang the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shimming the hinges, you could have an issue with the jamb out of line. This can be resolved by gently tapping on wooden shims that are located on the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Be sure to measure the shims with a carpenter's square before moving them around the frame until it's plumb on both sides of the frame.
After you have shimmed the door frame, you can tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate on the latch side to prevent it from scratching against the latch. You can either make use of the manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, depending on the severity of the damage.
Sometimes, gouges, dents and nicks in the frame will cause it to stick to the door. If it's only small scratches and nicks, you can smooth out the surface with wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door, and then sand it before painting or staining. For deeper dents and 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 working on the frame from scratch. If you can afford it, you should replace the components and do it correctly. However, you may be able save the door if you work on a small portion of the frame without having to remove the whole frame. Be sure not to damage the integrity 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 able to catch the door bolt and holds the door in the closed position. Over time, the strike plate can become unbalanced. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. To fix this issue, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't help then you can try shredding or adding wood filler to the hinges.
Before adjusting the strike plate, apply a strip of lipstick or another marking substance to the latch. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is contacting between the strike plate's hole, it could be an issue with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's position.
If the marks indicate that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, use small pieces of cardboard that fits into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This will often fix the issue, especially in the event that it's caused by sunken or recessed hinges. It can also make it easier to make repairs that look professional.
To adjust the strike plate, take it from the jamb of the door and then employ a file to widen the hole in the jamb where the strike plate is. A half-round file is the best, as it matches the shape of the hole for the strike plate. Install the strike plate close the door and see if the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch does not clear the hole, use the chisel on the jamb to reshape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.