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How To Explain Door Repair To Your Grandparents
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door problems are easy to fix, particularly if you can do the work yourself. But, sometimes a job isn't feasible without help.

The most common cause of a sticking door is simply that the hinges need to be re-tightened or moved. If the problem persists you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the Door


Many homeowners clean out their yards and check their doors when the weather gets cooler. This once-a-year inspection should not just be a lookout for signs of damage, but also uncover areas that aren't performing as they should.

Check for corrosion or rust on door hardware, including hinges, and on the frame. Look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will keep drafts from entering the house and prevent air leaks that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.

Be aware of any doors that are stuck, particularly after a storm. A door that is more difficult to open or close will wear out faster and will cost more to fix. This type of problem can be caused by swollen wood, which happens when humidity changes the moisture content of the wood of the door. A hygrometer test can be used to determine the cause of this issue.

If your door is becoming swollen or swollen, you can use a screwdriver for tightening the hinge screws. If the problem continues, you may try shimming your hinges or replacing them.

It's also important to examine the door for any cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are normal however any damage that wasn't present before must be repaired.

While it's possible to fix doors that have large cracks, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as possible to prevent further problems. Wood rot must be repaired to ensure the strength of the structure. It is best to contact a door systems technician if you notice significant structural issues. They will be able to examine the damage and make any necessary repairs.

Tighten the Hinges

It is common for door hinge screws to work themselves loose over time however if you leave them too long it can cause damage to the hinge, and the holes in the screws to become stripped. The screws can be tightened manually or with the power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge 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 can countersink a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that is attached to the strike plate). This will increase the gap and usually solve the issue.

This can also resolve the problem. The most drastic solution is to take off the hinge pins, hammer them so they are more dispersed, and then replace them. However it's not recommended as it could damage the hinge, and should only be done if the door doesn't shut properly.

Another possible issue is a screw that does not tighten, which could be caused by a damaged screw hole or a sliding doorframe. In this case, insert a wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching your hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw can take hold. Repeat as needed for any remaining screw holes that aren't tight enough. Close the door and check to see whether it has shut properly. If the issue continues then you might need to continue troubleshooting. Start with the easiest solutions and then make more complex repairs if necessary.

Shim the Hinges

When the gap between the jamb and door is too wide (a condition referred to as toe-in) shifting the hinges can help the door hang straight. This can be done by placing a small piece cardboard or wood on the hinge that is jamb-side, and then placing one or two thin wooden shims between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims push the hinge leaf from the door frame and close the gap, eliminating the binding.

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 door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shimming (Knowledge - How to remove the pin from the Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges in order to keep them from slipping off.

You'll have to open and close the door several times after the hinges have been moved to ensure that they're working correctly. If the door doesn't stay in place, you can add shims to fill in the gap between the hinge and the door.

Another way to fix the binding hinge is to make the mortise larger, which can be done by scraping the hole using a chisel and filling it up with wood putty. To match the frame's other components, sand the putty and paint it prior to affixing it to the hinge. It's not as precise as shmming but it's a simple fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's also less damaging than trying to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door still sticks after the hinges have been pushed tight and shimming them, the jamb may be out of line. This can be fixed by gently tapping on wooden shims on the latch's edge to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Be sure to measure the shims with the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until it is aligned on both sides of the frame.

After you have shimmied the door frame you can tighten the screws that secure the strikeplate on the latch side to stop it from hitting the latch. You can use either a manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to do this, depending on the extent of the damage.

Sometimes, dents, gouges, and nicks in the frame can cause it to become stuck against the door. If it's only tiny dents, you can smooth the surface using wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door, and then sand it before painting or staining. For more severe dents and gouges, you may need to replace the damaged part of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding or filling but your door is still to get stuck, it's time to get rid of the door and start working on the frame from scratch. It's best in the event that you have the money to purchase new parts and do it properly however, sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller parts of the frame without completely eliminating it. Just be careful not to undermine the integrity of the entire frame, particularly if you're working with wood that's been exposed to humidity over the course of time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate catches the bolt that holds the door in a closed position. The movement and setting of doors 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 cause burglaries or door kick-ins. To fix this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't help then you can try shimming or adding wood fill to the hinges.

Before adjusting the strike plate apply a thin strip of lipstick or another marking substance to the latch. Close the door and then open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is touching above or below the hole of the strike plate, the issue could be with the hinges.

If the marks show that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate's hole, take a small piece of cardboard to fit the mortise of the hinge. Replace the hinge. double glazing window repair can often resolve the issue, particularly if it's caused by sunken or hinges that are recessed or sunken. It also makes it easier to create repairs that look professional.

To adjust the strike plate, remove it from the jamb of the door and then employ a file to widen the hole in the jamb where the strike plate goes. A half-round file is the best because it is in line with the curve of the hole for the strike plate. Close the door, then reinstall the strikeplate and check if the latch now clears the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch is not clearing the hole using a chisel, reshape the area of the jamb that meets the strike plate.

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