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11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door issues are simple to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes a project just isn't possible without help.

A door that is stuck can be due to the hinges being too tight or too loose. If windows repair continues, you may need to sand or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the Door

As the temperature drops, many homeowners use this time to clean up the yard and check their doors. This once-a year inspection should look for damage, and also highlight any areas that aren't performing as they should.

Check for corrosion and rust on door hardware such as hinges, and on the frame. Check for damaged or broken weather stripping. This helps keep drafts out of the house and also prevents air leaks that could make a home less efficient in energy use.

Be aware of any doors that are sticking, especially following a wind storm. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear faster and will cost more to fix. This issue can arise by the fact that the wood of the door is swelling due to humidity. A hygrometer test is used to determine the cause of this problem.

If your door is becoming swollen or swollen, you can make use of a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem continues, you might try shimming the hinges or replacing them.

It's crucial to inspect the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are to be expected but any damage that wasn't there before should be repaired.

While it is sometimes possible to repair the door that has a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. Any wood rot needs to be replaced as well to ensure the strength of the structure. It is recommended to speak with a door systems technician if you find significant structural issues. They will be able to evaluate the damage and make any needed repairs.

Tighten the Hinges

It's common for door hinge screws to loosen as time passes, but if you leave them in place for too long, it could cause damage to the hinge, and the screw holes to become stripped. You can tighten the screws by hand or with a drill, but be cautious not to bend the hinge, and be sure to remove the pins as well.


Locate the points of friction first, and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs on the top or drags, you can countersink a long screw into the hinge's latch side (the side that is attached to the strike plate). This will increase the gap, and in most cases, solve the problem.

An alternative is to simply remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out until they're more evenly spaced and will solve the issue. However it's not recommended as it can cause damage to the hinge and should only be done when the door doesn't shut properly.

A hole that is stripped of screws or a sagging doorframe could also cause a screw to not tighten. In this instance, place the wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat as needed to fill any remaining screw holes that won't tighten. Close the door and test to see if it closes properly. If the problem persists it may be necessary to tackle the issue again. Start with the most basic fixes and only perform more complicated repairs if needed.

Shim the Hinges

If the gap between the jamb and the door is too large (a condition known as toe-in) Shimming the hinges can aid in ensuring that the door is straight. This can be accomplished by placing a small piece of cardboard or wood under 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 push the leaf of the hinge away from the door frame, closing the gap and getting rid of the bind that created the problem.

This procedure can be difficult however if you're careful you will be able to complete the task without causing damage to the hinge or the door. Shimming is most effective if the screws that are in place are removed from each hinge first (Knowledge: How to Remove the Pin From a Door Hinge). This could require prying the door off its hinges in order to prevent them from coming loose.

After the hinges have been moved then you'll need to close and open the door a few 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 between the hinge and the door are sealed.

Another way to correct a binding hinge is to make the mortise wider. This can be accomplished by scraping the hole using a chisel and filling it in with wood putty. Make sure to polish and sand the putty before you use it on the hinge so that it matches the rest of the frame. It's not as precise as shmming but it's a simple fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's not as destructive as hanging the door from the ceiling.

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 corrected by gently tapping on wooden shims at the latch's side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Make sure you take measurements with the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until it's aligned on both sides of the frame.

Once you've shimmed the door frame and tightened the screws that hold the strike plate on the latch side of the frame to stop it from scraping against the latch. You can either employ an manual Phillips screwdriver or drill, based on the severity of the damage.

Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges within the frame could cause it to bind against the door. If it's just small scratches and nicks, you can smooth out the surface using wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door, and then sand it before painting or staining. If the dents are more extensive, you may have to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.

If your door is still stuck after filling, sanding and re-sanding the frame, it could be time to get rid of the entire door and start over. It's best in the event that you have the money to purchase new components and do it properly however, sometimes you'll be able to save the door by working on tiny sections of the frame without completely taking it off. Be careful not to damage the strength of the remainder of the frame, particularly if you're dealing with wood that has been subjected 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. As time passes the strike plate may be unbalanced. If the latch isn't able to fit into the strike plate, it will not stay closed, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. To fix this, tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If that doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill may help.

Apply a strip of lipstick or 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 either between the strike plate hole it may be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's location.

If the marks show that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, you can use small pieces of cardboard to insert into the hinge mortise, and then replace the hinge. This can often correct the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges and makes it easier to do a professional repair.

To adjust the strike plate, take it from the door jamb and then make use of a file to increase the hole in the jamb where the strike plate is. Half-round files are ideal because it matches the curve of the strike plate's hole. Close the door, install the strikeplate and check if the latch is now clearing the strikeplate hole properly. If the latch is not clearing the hole then use a chisel alter the shape of the jamb that meets the strike plate.

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