Notes

5 Killer Qora's Answers To Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door issues are easy to fix, particularly if you can do the work yourself. But, sometimes a job can't be completed without assistance.

A door that is stuck could be caused by the hinges being too tight or too loose. If the problem continues, you might need to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the Door

Many homeowners clean up their yards and check their doors as the weather gets cooler. This annual inspection should look for damages and also identify any areas that aren't functioning as they should.

Check for corrosion or rust on door hardware, such as hinges, and also on the frame. Also, look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering your home and also stop air leaks that could reduce the efficiency of a home's energy usage.

Check if any doors are stuck, particularly after a storm. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which adds wear each time it's used and could result in more expensive repairs down the road. This kind of issue can be caused by swollen or swollen wood which happens when humidity alters the moisture content of the wood of the door. A simple test using an hygrometer can help pinpoint the source of this issue.

If your door is swelling, you can tighten the hinge screws using a screwdriver. If the issue persists then you may try to shimm the hinges or replace them all.

It's also important that you check the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are to be expected but any damage that was not there before should also be fixed.

While it's possible to fix the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as possible to avoid any further issues. Wood rot must be replaced as well to ensure the integrity of the structure. If you notice serious structural issues with the door, it's recommended to contact an experienced door systems technician to examine and repair any damage that may be required.

Tighten the Hinges

It's common for hinge screws on doors to loosen 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. You can tighten these screws by hand or using a drill but be cautious not to bend the hinge and ensure that you take out the pins as well.

First, locate the points of friction and decide the best way to proceed. If the door rubs close to the top or drags onto the floor it is possible to draw in the jamb by driving a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that connects to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will widen the gap, and in most cases, solve the issue.


A more drastic approach is to simply remove the hinge pins and hammer them out until they're more spread apart, which will also solve the problem. This isn't recommended as it could cause damage to the hinge. It should only be done when the door doesn't close properly.

Another issue that could be a problem is a screw that doesn't tighten, which could be caused by a damaged screw hole or sagging doorframe. In this case, insert a wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and reinforce the area to allow the screw to grip. Repeat this procedure for any remaining holes that do not tighten. Close the door and test to see if it now shuts properly. If not, you might have to keep trying to solve the issue. Start with the easiest 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 help the door hang straight. 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 door frame. The shims will pull the hinge leaf away from the door frame, closing the gap and eliminating the bind that caused the issue.

This method can be tricky however if you're careful you can get the job done without causing damage to the hinge or 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). It may be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges in order to prevent the screws from coming loose.

Once the hinges are shifted and the door is closed, you'll have to shut and open the door a few times to make sure they're functioning correctly. If the door doesn't stay in place it is possible to add shims to seal the gaps between the hinge and door.

Another way to fix the binding hinge is by making the mortise larger, which can be done by scraping out the hole using the chisel, then filling it in with wood putty. Be sure to paint and sand the putty before putting it on the hinge so that it matches the frame's rest. This is not as accurate as shimming but it's a simple fix for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's also less destructive than attempting to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shifting, you may have an issue with the jamb not being of alignment. This can be resolved by gently tapping on wooden shims at the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Measure the shims using the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to ensure that they are in line.

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

Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges in the frame can cause it to bind against the door. If it's only a few minor scratches, you can smooth the surface with wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door and then sand it down before painting or staining. If you have more serious dents or gouges, you may need to replace the damaged section of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding, gluing, and filling your door and it 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 best to replace the components and do it properly. However, you might be able to save the door if you work on a small portion of the frame without removing the whole frame. Just be careful not to compromise the integrity of the entire frame, especially when you're working with wood that's been exposed to humidity over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate is able to catch the bolt that holds the door in the closed position. The shifting and setting of a door over time can cause the strike plate to be misaligned with the latch. If the latch does not fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can lead burglaries and door kick ins. An easy fix is to tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If it doesn't work, then changing the hinges' angle or adding wood fill may aid.

Before making adjustments to the strike plate, apply a thin strip of lipstick or a similar marking substance to the latch. Close repairing double glazed windows and then open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is positioned above or below the hole of the strike plate, the problem could be related to the hinges.

If the marks suggest 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 will usually fix the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges and allows for a professional repair.

To adjust the strike plate, take it from the jamb of the door and then use a file to enlarge the hole in the jamb where the strike plate will go. A half-round file is the best, as it matches the curve of the hole for the strike plate. Close the door, reinstall the strikeplate and verify that it is now able to clear the strikeplate hole properly. If the latch still isn't able to clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to reshape it where the strike plate is positioned to meet the jamb.

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