How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues are easy to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes, a task isn't feasible without help.
A door that is stuck could be due to the hinges being too tight or 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 their yards and inspect their doors when the weather gets cooler. This once-a-year inspection should not only look for signs of damage but also uncover areas that aren't functioning as they should.
Check for corrosion or rust on door hardware, such as hinges, and on the frame. Similarly, check for broken or damaged weather stripping. This keeps drafts out of your home and also prevents air leaks, which can make your home less efficient in energy use.
Be aware of any doors that are sticking, especially after a wind event. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear out faster and will cost more to fix. This issue can occur when the wood used to construct the door is more swollen as a result of humidity. A hygrometer test is used to determine the cause of this issue.
If your door is swelling and you are unable to close it, you can use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists you may try shimming your hinges or replacing them.
It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are expected over time, any significant damage that wasn't there prior to the repair should be addressed as soon as possible.
While it is sometimes possible to repair the door that has a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as possible to avoid further issues. To ensure structural integrity any wood that is rotting has to be replaced. If you notice structural issues that are significant to a door, it is best to call in a certified door system technician to evaluate and repair any damage that may be required.
Then tighten the Hinges
It's normal for hinge screws on doors to work themselves loose as time passes, but if you leave them too long it can cause damage to the hinge and the holes for screws to be stripped. These screws can be tightened by hand or with a power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge of your door and remove the pins.
First, find the sticking points and determine the best way to proceed. If the door rubs at the top or drags, you could countersink a long screw onto the hinge's latch side (the side that is connected to the strike plate). This will increase the gap and will usually resolve the problem.
This will also fix the issue. A more drastic solution is to remove the hinge pins, then hammer them until they are separated, and then replace them. This isn't recommended as it could cause damage to the hinge. It should only be done when the door does not close properly.
A damaged screw hole or a sagging doorframe could cause the screw to loosen. In this situation, insert an apron (or match) that has been dipped in carpenter's adhesive into the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching your hinge. This will fill in the hole and strengthen the area to allow the screw to be held in place. Repeat as needed for any remaining screw holes that won't tighten. Then close the door and verify if it now shuts correctly. If not, you'll need to continue troubleshooting the problem. It is best to begin with the most basic solutions first and then move on to more involved repairs when necessary.
Change the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be utilized to assist in keeping the door straight when the gap between the jamb and door frame is too large (a condition called toe-in). You can do this by placing a small amount of cardboard or wood on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then adding two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the door frame. The shims will push the hinge leaf from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the bind.
It's not an easy process, but with a little care you can do it without causing damage to the hinge or door. Shimming is most effective if the existing screws are removed from each hinge first. (Knowledge: How to Remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges to keep them from slipping off.
You'll need to open and close the door a number of times after the hinges have been shifted to ensure that they're functioning properly. If the door is still stuck, you can add shims to seal the gaps between the hinge and the door.
You can also correct the hinge that is binding by increasing the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by scraping the hole out using a chisel and then filling it with wood putty. Make sure you paint and sand the putty prior to placing it on the hinge to match the rest of the frame. This is not as accurate as shimming but it's an easy fix for hinges that are out of alignment. It's less damaging than hanging the door again.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door is still stuck after tightening hinges and shimming it the jamb might be out of line. This can be resolved by gently tapping on wooden shims on the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. The shims are measured using the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to ensure it is plumb.
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 the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to accomplish this, depending on the scope 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 then you can smooth the surface using wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door and then sand it down prior to staining or painting. For deeper dents and window repairs gouges, you might need to replace the damaged part of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding or filling and your door continues to bind, it's probably time to remove the door and begin working on the frame from scratch. If you're able to afford it, it's recommended to replace the components and do it properly. However, you may be able to save the door if you work on small pieces of the frame without removing the whole frame. Be sure not to damage the strength of the frame, especially if you're working with older wood which has been exposed to moisture over the years.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate is used to hold the door in its closed position by locking the bolt of the door. The movement and setting of a door over time can cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate, it will not stay closed, which can lead to burglaries and door kick-ins. To fix this issue, tighten the screws that are holding the strike plate. If this doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill could help.
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 suggest that the latch is touching above or below the hole of the strike plate, the problem could be related to the hinges.
If the marks indicate the latch is too high or low in the strike plate hole, you can use a small piece of cardboard to fit into the mortise of the hinge. Replace the hinge. This is often a way to fix the issue caused by sunken hinges. It also allows for a professional-looking repair.
To adjust the strike plate, take it from the door jamb and then employ a file to widen the hole in the jamb where the strike plate goes. A half-round file is ideal because it is in line with the curvature of the strike plate's hole. Close the door, install the strikeplate and verify that the latch is now clearing the strikeplate hole properly. If the latch does not clear the hole, use the chisel on the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate meets the jamb.