13 Things You Should Know About Door Repair That You Might Not Have Known
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems are easy to fix, particularly when you can complete the work yourself. Sometimes, a project cannot be accomplished without assistance.
A door that is stuck could be caused by the hinges being too tight or too loose. If the issue persists then you might need to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.
Check the Door
Many homeowners clean up their yards and check their doors as the weather cools. This once-a year inspection should look for damage and also reveal any areas that aren't functioning as they should.
Find corrosion and rust on door hardware, such as hinges, and on the frame. Similarly, sash windows repair for broken or damaged weather stripping. This keeps drafts out of the house and also prevents air leaks that can make your home less efficient in energy use.
Be aware of any doors that are stuck, especially after a storm. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which adds wear every time it's used and could lead to more expensive repairs later on. This kind of issue can be caused by swollen wood, which occurs when humidity alters the amount of moisture in the door's wood. A simple test with the aid of a hygrometer will help determine the source of this issue.
If your door is swollen you can tighten the hinge screws with a screwdriver. If the issue persists, you can try shimming the hinges or replacing them.
It's also important that you check the door for any damage that appears to be cosmetic. While minor scratches and dents are common in time, any major damage that was not present prior to repair should be done immediately.
It is possible to repair a large door crack. However cracks in wood should be filled in and painted as quickly as possible to avoid any further problems. Wood rot must be repaired to ensure the strength of the structure. If you find structural issues that are significant to a door, it is best to call in a trained door systems technician to examine and repair any necessary damage.
Tighten the Hinges
It's common for screws on door hinges to loosen over time However, if you let them for too long, they could cause damage to the hinge, and the holes for screws to be stripped. You can tighten the screws manually or using a drill but be cautious not to bend the hinge and make sure you remove the pins too.
First, find the sticking points and determine what to do next. If the door rubs at the top or drags, you can countersink a long screw onto 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.
An alternative is to remove the hinge pins and then hammer them out until they're more dispersed and will solve the problem. This is not recommended as it can damage the hinge. It is only recommended to do this when the door isn't closing properly.
A stripped screw hole, or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to not tighten. In this case, insert an apron (or match) that has been dipped in carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching your hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen the area so that the screw will be able to be held in place. Repeat this procedure for any holes that aren't tightening. Then close the door and check to see if it now shuts properly. If not, you may need to continue troubleshooting the issue. Start with the most basic solutions and then make more complex repairs when needed.
Shim the Hinges
Shimming hinges are a great option to assist in keeping the door straight when the gap between the jamb and the door is too large (a condition known as toe-in). This can be accomplished by placing a small wedge of cardboard or wood beneath the hinge on the jamb side, then adding one or more thin, wooden shims between the hinge and the frame of the door. The shims pull the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the bind.
This technique can be a bit tricky however if you're careful you can complete the task without damaging the hinge or the 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 keep them from slipping off.
Once the hinges have been shifted and the door is closed, you'll have to close and open the door several times to ensure that they're working properly. If the door continues to bind it, you can put on more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door and the hinge and the door are sealed.
You can also correct the hinge that is binding by expanding the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by scraping the hole using a chisel and then filling it with wood putty. Be sure to sand and paint the putty before you use it on the hinge so that it matches the frame's rest. 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 is still bound after closing the hinges and shimming it, there could be an issue with the jamb being out of alignment. It is possible to fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall at the latch side of the frame to get it back in line. Measure the shims using a carpenter's square, then move them around the frame to make sure it is plumb.
After you have shimmed the door frame you can tighten screws that hold the strikeplate on the latch side to stop it from scratching against the latch. You can use either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to accomplish this, depending on the severity of the damage.
Sometimes, gouges, dents and nicks in the frame will cause it to stick against the door. If it's only small dents, you can smooth the surface with wood filler that matches the color of the trim around the door and then sand it down before painting or staining. For more severe dents and gouges, you may need to replace the damaged part of the jamb.
If your door continues to bind after filling, sanding and re-sanding the frame, it could be time to get rid of the entire door and begin again. It's best to do this when you're able to purchase new parts and do it properly however, sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely removing it. Be careful not to undermine the integrity of the entire frame, especially when you're dealing with wood that's been exposed to moisture over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate keeps the door in its closed position by catching the bolt of the door. Over time, the strike plate can become unbalanced. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate, it won't be able to stay closed, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. A quick fix for this is to tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If that doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill may help.
Apply a stripe of lipstick or another marking material on the latch prior to adjusting the strike plate. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is positioned above or below the hole of the strike plate, the issue could be related to the hinges.
If the marks suggest that the latch is sitting too high or low in the strike plate hole then use a small piece cardboard to fit into the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This will usually fix the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges. It also allows for a professional-looking repair.
To adjust the strikeplate, remove it from the jamb on your door. Then use a file to make the hole where the strikeplate is meant to be. A half-round file is the best, as it matches the curvature of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Install the strike plate, close the door and examine if the latch now able to clear the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch still isn't able to clear the hole, use the chisel on the jamb to shape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.