A Good Rant About Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems are easy to fix, especially when you can complete the work yourself. Sometimes a project just cannot be accomplished without assistance.
A stuck door can be caused by hinges being too tight 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 temperature drops homeowners take this time to clean up the yard and inspect their doors. This once-a-year inspection shouldn't just look for signs of damage but also identify areas that aren't performing as they should.
Look for rust and corrosion on door hardware such as hinges, as well as on the frame. Check for damaged or broken weather stripping. This will prevent drafts from entering your home and also stop air leaks that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.
Note whether any doors are stuck, particularly after a strong wind. A door that is stuck is more difficult to open and close, which causes wear each time you use it and can lead to higher repair costs later on. This kind of issue could be caused by swollen wood, that occurs when humidity alters the amount of moisture in the wood of the door. A hygrometer test is used to determine the source of this problem.
If your door is swollen and you are unable to close it, you can use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists, then you can try to shimm the hinges or replace them altogether.
It's crucial to inspect the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are normal over time, any significant damage that was not present prior to repair should be done 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 is possible to avoid any further issues. To ensure the integrity of the structure any wood that is rotting has to be replaced. It is recommended to speak with a door systems technician if you spot structural issues that are significant. They can examine the damage and make any necessary repairs.
Tighten the Hinges
It's normal for door hinge screws to work themselves loose as time passes however if you leave them in place for too long, it could cause damage to the hinge, and the holes for screws to be stripped. The screws can be tightened manually or with the aid of a power drill. Be cautious not to bend the door hinge and then remove the pins.
The first step is to locate the sticking points and determine what to do next. If the door rubs on the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw onto the latch side of the hinge (the side that is connected to the strike plate). This will make the gap bit larger and usually solves the problem.
A more drastic approach is to remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out until they're more dispersed, which will also solve the problem. However it's not recommended as it can cause damage to the hinge, and should only be done when the door doesn't shut properly.
Another issue that could be a problem is a screw that doesn't tighten, which could result from a sagging screw hole or a sagging doorframe. If this is the case, simply insert a wood plug 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 reinforce the area to allow the screw to hold the screw. Repeat as necessary to fill any remaining screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door and test to see if now it closes properly. If the problem persists, you may have to tackle the issue again. door repair is best to begin with the simplest fixes first, and then do more involved repairs when necessary.
Shim the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be used to assist in keeping the door straight when the gap between the jamb and the door frame is too large (a condition called toe-in). You can do this by placing a small piece wood or cardboard on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then adding two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims will push the leaf of the hinge away from the door frame to close the gap, eliminate the bind that caused the problem.
It's a tricky method however, with a bit of care you can do it without causing damage to the door or hinge. 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). It may be necessary to remove the door of its hinges in order to stop the screws from slipping out.
You'll need to open and close the door a few times after the hinges have been moved to make sure they are working properly. If the door doesn't stay in place then you can use shims to close the gaps between the door and hinge.
You can also correct the hinge that is binding by increasing the size of the mortise. This is done by scraping the hole with a chisel then filling it with wood putty. Make sure to paint and sand the putty before you use it on the hinge so that it matches the rest of the frame. This is not as accurate as shimming, but it's a simple fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's also less destructive than attempting to rehang the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shimming it, there could be an issue with the jamb being out of line. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and the wall at the latch side of the frame to get it back in line. Take measurements of the shims with a carpenter’s square, and then move them around the frame to ensure that it is level.
After you've shimmed your door frame then you can tighten the screws that secure 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.
Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges within the frame could cause it to become a binder against the door. If it's just a few minor dents and nicks, you can smooth out the surface using wood filler that matches the color of the trim around the door and then sand it before painting or staining. For more severe dents and gouges, you might need to replace the damaged section of the jamb.
If your door continues to bind after filling, sanding and re-sanding the frame, it may be time to take down the entire door and start over. If you can afford it, it's recommended to replace the parts and do it correctly. However, you might be able save the door if you work on small pieces of the frame without taking away the entire frame. Be sure not to damage the integrity of the rest of the frame, especially when you're dealing with older 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 bolt that holds the door. As time passes, the strike plate can be misaligned. If the latch cannot seat into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can result in burglaries and door kick ins. To fix this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If it doesn't work, then changing the hinges' angle or adding wood fill can help.
Before adjusting the strike plate, apply a 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 located above or below the hole of the strike plate, the issue could be with the hinges.
If the marks indicate that the latch is resting too low or high in the strike plate hole, use small pieces of cardboard to fit into the mortise of the hinge and then replace the hinge. This can often correct the issue caused by sunken hinges and makes it easier to do a professional-looking repair.
To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from your door jamb. Then, you can use an appropriate file to mark the hole where the strikeplate is supposed to be. A half-round file is the best, as it matches the curve of the hole for the strike plate. Close the door, reinstall the strikeplate and check if it is now able to clear the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch is not clearing the hole using a chisel, alter the shape of the jamb that meets the strike plate.