How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues are simple to fix, particularly when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes, a task cannot be accomplished without assistance.
A stuck door can be caused by the hinges being too tight or loose. If the issue persists, you may have to plane or sand the latch side of your door.
Check the Door
As the weather turns cooler, many homeowners use this time to tidy up the yard and check their doors. This once-a year inspection should be a lookout for any damages and also identify any areas that aren't functioning as they should.
Check for rust or corrosion on door hardware, including hinges, and also on the frame. Check for damaged or broken weather stripping. This will prevent drafts from entering the home and also stop air leaks that can reduce a home's energy efficiency.
Also note whether any doors are sticking, particularly following a wind storm. A door that is more difficult to open or close will wear out more quickly and will cost more to fix. This kind of issue could be caused by swollen wood which happens when humidity changes the amount of moisture in the door's wood. A simple test with a hygrometer can help identify the source of this issue.
If your door is swollen you can tighten the hinge screws with a screwdriver. If the problem continues, you may try shimming your hinges or replacing them.
It's important to check the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are expected over time, any serious damage that was not present prior to repair should be done immediately.
While it is sometimes possible to fix a door that has large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. To ensure structural integrity wood rot, it must be replaced. If you discover structural issues that are significant to doors, it's best to call in a trained door systems technician to assess and repair any necessary damage.
Close the Hinges
Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you leave them unattended they may cause damage to the hinge or strip the screw holes. You can tighten the screws by hand or using a drill but be careful not to bend the hinge, and ensure that you remove the pins as well.
Locate window repairs sticking points first and then decide what to do. 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 connected to the strike plate). This will make the gap a bit larger and usually solves the issue.
A more drastic approach is to remove the hinge pins and hammer them out to make them more evenly spaced, which will also solve the issue. This is not recommended as it could damage the hinge. It should only be done when the door does not close properly.
Another issue that could be a problem is a screw that won't tighten, which could be caused by a damaged screw hole or a sliding doorframe. If this is the case, simply insert a wood block or match dipped in carpenter's glue into the screw hole, and allow it to set before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw will be able to grab hold. Repeat this process for any holes that do not tighten. Close the door and check to see if now it is shut properly. If the problem persists, you may have to tackle the issue again. Begin with the simplest fixes and only perform more complex repairs when needed.
Shift the Hinges
Shimming hinges are a great option to aid in hanging 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 bit of cardboard or wood under the hinge on the jamb side and adding one or more thin, wooden shims between the hinge and the door frame. The shims push the hinge leaf away from the door frame closing the gap and getting rid of the bind that created the problem.
This technique can be a bit tricky, but if you're careful you will be able to complete the task without damaging the hinge or the door. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). This may require prying the door off its hinges to avoid unscrewing them.
Once the hinges have been shifted, you'll need to shut and open the door several times to make sure that they're working properly. If the door is still stuck, you can add shims to fill in the gap between the door and hinge.
Another way to fix the hinge's binding is by making the mortise bigger. This is done by removing the hole using an axe and then filling it in with wood putty. Make sure to paint and sand the putty before you use it on the hinge so that it matches the frame's rest. It's not as precise as shimming, but it's a quick fix for hinges that are out of alignment. It's less damaging than hanging the door again.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door still sticks after the hinges have been pushed tight and shimming them the jamb might be out of alignment. It is possible to fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall on the latch side of the frame in order to bring it back to level. 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, you can tighten the screws that hold the strike plate on the latch side of the frame to stop it from scraping against the latch. You can employ either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to do this, depending on the scope of the damage.
Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges in the frame may cause it to be bowed against the door. If there are just small scratches on the frame you can fill in the surface by using a wood filler that is compatible with the trim around the door. Sand it down and then paint or stain it. For deeper dents and gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding or filling but your door is still to get stuck, it's time to remove the door and start working on the frame from scratch. It's best if you can afford to buy new parts and do it right, but sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely taking it off. Be careful not to compromise the strength of the remainder of the frame, especially if you're dealing with wood that's been exposed to humidity over the course of time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate is used to hold the door in the closed position by catching the bolt that holds the door. Over time the strike plate may be disaligned. If the latch isn't able to fit into the strike plate, it won't remain closed, which could lead to burglaries and door kick-ins. An easy fix is to simply tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If this doesn't work, shifting the hinges or adding wood fill can aid.
Before adjusting the strike plate, apply a strip of lipstick or a similar marking substance to the latch. Close the door and then open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is touching between the strike plate hole it could be a problem with sagging hinges, rather than the strike plate's position.
If the marks indicate that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, you can 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. This allows for an attractive repair.
To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from the jamb on your door. Then use a file on the hole in which the strikeplate is intended to go. A half-round file is the best choice because it is in line with the curve of the strike plate hole. Install the strike plate close the door and examine if the latch now clearing the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is not clearing the hole, use a chisel to reshape the area of the jamb where it faces the strike plate.