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How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems can be fixed easily particularly if the work is done by you. Sometimes a project just cannot be accomplished without assistance.
The most common cause of stuck doors is that the hinges must be tightened or shifted. If the problem persists you may need to sand or sand the latch side of your door.
Check the Door
As the weather gets cooler homeowners often take this time to tidy up the yard and inspect their doors. The annual inspection should look for damage and also reveal any areas which aren't working as they should.
Look for rust and corrosion on door hardware like hinges, and on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will prevent drafts from entering the house and prevent air leaks that can reduce a home's energy efficiency.
Be aware of any doors that are stuck, especially after a strong wind. A door that is stuck is more difficult to open and close, which increases wear every time it's used and can lead to more expensive repairs in the future. This issue can occur when the wood of the door is swollen due to humidity. A simple test using a hygrometer can help identify the source of this issue.
If your door is swelling, you can tighten the hinge screws using the help of a screwdriver. If the problem continues, you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's crucial to inspect the door for cosmetic damages. While minor scratches and dents are expected over time, any significant damage that was not present before should be repaired as soon as is possible.
It is possible to repair a large door crack. However all wood cracks must be filled in and painted as fast as possible to avoid any further problems. Wood rot must be replaced to ensure the integrity of the structure. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems when you notice significant structural issues. They will be able to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs.
Tighten the Hinges
It's common for screws on door hinges to loosen up over time However, if you let them for too long, they could damage the hinge and cause the holes in the screws to become stripped. You can tighten these screws by hand or with a drill, but be cautious not to bend the hinge, and be sure to take out the pins as well.
Locate the points of friction first, and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs close to the top or drags on the floor it is possible to draw in the jamb by driving a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that attaches to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap slightly larger and can often resolve the issue.
This will also fix the problem. Another option is to take off the hinge pins, then hammer them to make them more separated, and then replace them. This is not recommended since it could cause damage to the hinge. It should only be done when the door does not close properly.
A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. If this is the case, simply insert a wood plug or match dipped in carpenter's glue into the screw hole, and allow it to set before attaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen the area to allow the screw to be held in place. Repeat as necessary for any screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door and check to see if now it closes properly. If the issue persists then you might need to continue troubleshooting. Begin with the simplest fixes and only perform more complex repairs when needed.
Change the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be used 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 done by placing a small piece of wood or cardboard on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then placing two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the door frame. door repair push the hinge leaf away from the frame, closing the gap and eliminating the bind that caused the problem.
It's a difficult process however with a little care you can do it without damaging the door or hinge. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shifting (Knowledge - How to remove the pin from the Door Hinge). It might be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges in order to prevent the screws from coming loose.
You'll need to open and close the door a few times after the hinges have been moved to ensure that they're functioning properly. If the door is still binding 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 accomplished by scraping the hole with a chisel, and then filling it with wood putty. To make it look like the rest of your frame make sure to sand the putty, then paint it prior to applying it to the hinge. This is not as accurate as shimming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's less damaging than hanging the door from the ceiling.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shifting it, there could be an issue with the jamb being out of line. It is possible to fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall on the latch side of the frame to get it back to level. The shims are measured using the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to make sure that they are in line.
Once you've shimmed the door frame then 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 either make use of the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill, based on the severity of damage.
Sometimes, gouges, dents and nicks within the frame can cause it to become stuck against the door. If there are only small scratches on the frame, you can fill in the area with a wood filler that matches the trim around the door. Sand it down and then paint or stain it. If the dents are deeper they may require you to replace the damaged section of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding, gluing, and filling your door and it continues to bind, it's probably time to remove the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. It's best to do this if you can afford to buy new components and do it properly however, sometimes you can save the door by working on tiny portions of the frame, without completely removing it. Be careful not to damage the strength of the entire frame, especially when you're dealing with older wood that has been subjected to humidity over the course of time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate grabs the bolt that holds the door in a closed position. As time passes, the strike plate can become disaligned. If the latch cannot fit into the strike plate it will not remain closed, which can lead to burglaries and door kick-ins. To fix this, tighten the screws that are holding the strike plate. If this doesn't work, shifting the hinges or adding wood fill may help.
Apply a strip of lipstick or any other marking substance to the latch before adjusting the strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is touching between the strike plate 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 high or low in the strike plate hole, use small pieces of cardboard that fits into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This is often a way to fix the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges. It also allows for 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 meant to be. A half-round file is the best because it is in line with the curvature of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Close the door, install the strikeplate and verify that it is now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is still not clearing the hole then use a chisel shape the area of the jamb that faces the strike plate.