The 10 Worst Door Repair Mistakes Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many issues with doors are easily fixed particularly if the work is performed by you. But, sometimes a job isn't doable without help.
A stuck door can be caused by the hinges not tight enough or too loose. If the problem continues, you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.
Check the door for damage.
Many homeowners clean up their yards and inspect their doors when the weather gets cooler. This annual inspection should check for damages and also identify any 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 keep drafts from entering the house and stop air leaks which can reduce a home's energy efficiency.
Be aware of any doors that are sticking, especially following a wind storm. A stickier door is harder to open and close, which increases wear each time you use it and can lead to more expensive repairs down the road. This problem can be caused by the fact that the wood of the door gets more swollen as a result of humidity. A simple test using the aid of a hygrometer will help determine the root of the problem.
If your door is becoming swollen, you can tighten the hinge screws using the help of a screwdriver. If the problem persists you might try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's also important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are normal in time, any major damage that was not present prior to repair should be done as soon as possible.
While it's possible to repair the door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as is possible to prevent further problems. 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 when you spot structural issues that are significant. They will be able to assess the damage and make the necessary repairs.
Close the Hinges
It's common for screws on door hinges to loosen over time, but if you leave them for too long, they could cause damage to the hinge and the holes in the screws to become stripped. local window repair can be tightened by hand or with the aid of a power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge of your door and remove the pins.
Find the sticking points first and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs against 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 is attached to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap bit larger and usually solves the issue.
This will also fix the problem. Another option is to take off 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 is only recommended to do this when the door doesn't close properly.
A hole that is stripped of screws, or a sagging doorframe could also cause the screw to not tighten. In this instance, place a wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue in the screw hole. Let it dry before you can reattach your hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw can take hold. Repeat as necessary for any remaining screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door and check to see whether it is now shut correctly. If the issue persists, you may have to tackle the issue again. Start with the most basic solutions and then make more complex repairs when needed.
Change 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). You can do this by placing a small amount of cardboard or wood on the jamb's side hinge and then adding one or two thin wooden shims that are placed between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims push the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, removing the bind.
It's a difficult process however, with a bit of attention, you can complete it without causing damage to the door or hinge. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shifting (Knowledge How to remove the pin from the Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges to prevent them from coming loose.
You'll need to open and close the door a number of times after the hinges have been moved to make sure they're functioning properly. 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 sealed.
Another method to correct a binding hinge is to make the mortise bigger. This can be done by removing the hole using an axe and then filling it with wood putty. Make sure to paint and sand the putty prior to placing it on the hinge to match the frame's rest. This isn't as accurate as shmming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's also less destructive than trying to fix the door.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door still binds after tightening the hinges and shimming, you may have an issue with the jamb being out of line. This can be fixed by gently tapping on wooden shims on the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Make sure you take measurements with a carpenter's square and move them around the frame until it is plumb on both sides of the frame.
After you've shimmied the door frame, you can tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate on the latch side, to keep it from rubbing against the latch. You can either employ the manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, depending on the severity of damage.
Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges in the frame can cause it to bind against the door. If it's only tiny dents, you can smooth 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. For deeper dents and gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged section of the jamb.
If your door is still stuck after you've tried filling, sanding and re-sanding the frame, it might be time to take down the entire door and start from scratch. It's best to do this in the event that you have the money to purchase new parts and do it correctly, but sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely taking it off. Be sure not to damage the strength of the remainder of the frame, particularly if you're working with wood that has been subjected to humidity over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate is used to hold the door in its closed position by engaging the door bolt. The shifting and setting of a door over time could cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can result in burglaries and door kick ins. The easiest solution is to simply tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If it doesn't work, then shimming the hinges or adding wood fill may aid.
Before adjusting the strike plate apply a strip of lipstick or a similar marking substance to the latch. 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 issue may be with the hinges.
If the marks indicate that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, then 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 allows for a professional-looking repair.
To adjust the strikeplate, take it from the jamb of your door. Then, you can use an appropriate file to mark the hole where the strikeplate is meant to go. A half-round file is the best since it matches the curvature of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Close the door, install the strikeplate and verify that the latch now clears the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is still not clearing the hole then use a chisel alter the shape of the jamb where it faces the strike plate.