Notes

The Sage Advice On Door Repair From A Five-Year-Old
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

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

Often, the cause of sticking doors is that the hinges have to be tightened or shifted. If the problem continues, you may need to sand or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the door for damage.

As the weather gets cooler homeowners take this time to clean up the yard and check their doors. This annual inspection shouldn't just look for signs of damage, but also identify areas that aren't working as they should.

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

Check if any doors are stuck, particularly in the aftermath of a strong wind. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which causes wear each time you use it and could lead to higher repair costs in the future. This problem can be caused when the wood of the door gets swollen due to humidity. A simple test with a hygrometer can help identify the cause of this problem.

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

It's also important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are to be expected but any damage that wasn't there before should also be fixed.

Although it's sometimes possible to fix doors that have a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to prevent further problems. To ensure the structural integrity of your home, any wood rot must be replaced. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems when you find significant structural issues. They can assess the damage and make any necessary repairs.

Close the Hinges

It's common for door hinge screws to work themselves loose as time passes however if you leave them in place for too long, it could cause damage to the hinge and the holes in the screws to become stripped. These screws can be tightened by hand or with the aid of a power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge and remove the pins.

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

A more drastic approach is to remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out to make them more evenly spaced which will also resolve the problem. This is not recommended since it could damage the hinge. It is only recommended to do this when the door isn't closing properly.

Another possible issue is a screw that does not tighten, which can result from a sagging screw hole or a sliding doorframe. In this case, insert the wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching your hinge. This will fill in the hole and strengthen the area so that the screw will be able to hold the screw. Repeat this process for any holes that will not tighten. Close the door and test to determine if it closes properly. If not, you'll need to continue troubleshooting the problem. Begin with the simplest solutions and then make more complex repairs if necessary.

Change the Hinges

If the gap between the jamb and the door is too large (a condition referred to as a toe-in) Shimming the hinges can help the door hang straight. You can do this by placing a small piece of cardboard or wood on the jamb-side hinge, and then putting two or three thin wooden shims that are placed between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims will pull the leaf of the hinge away from the door frame, closing the gap and eliminate the bind that caused the issue.

This technique can be a bit tricky however, if you're cautious you can get the job done without damaging the hinge or door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge prior to shifting (Knowledge - How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges to prevent them from coming loose.

Once the hinges are shifted, you'll need to close and open the door a few times to make sure they're working properly. If the door continues to bind, you can add more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door and between the hinge and the door are shut.

Another method to correct the binding hinge is to make the mortise bigger. This can be done by scraping out the hole using the chisel, then filling it with wood putty. To be able to match the rest of your frame make sure to sand the putty, then paint it prior to affixing it to the hinge. It's not as accurate as shifting but it's an easy fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's also less harmful than trying to fix the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door still binds after tightening the hinges and shifting, you may have a problem with the jamb out of line. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and the wall at the latch side the frame in order to bring it back in line. Be sure to take measurements with a carpenter's square before moving them around the frame until they are aligned on both sides of the frame.

After you've shimmied the door frame, you are able to tighten screws that hold the strikeplate to the latch side to stop it from scratching against the latch. You can use either a manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill for this, depending on the severity of the damage.

Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges in the frame can cause it to be bowed against the door. If there are just small dents on the frame, you can fill in the area by using a wood filler that is compatible with the trim around the door. Sand it down, then paint or stain it. If you have more serious dents or gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.

If window repairs tried sanding and filling but your door is still to bind, it's probably time to remove the door and begin working on the frame from scratch. If you can afford it, you should replace the components and do it properly. However, you may be able to save the door by working on small pieces of the frame without having to remove the whole thing. Be cautious not to compromise the integrity of the frame, particularly if you are dealing with wood that has been exposed to moisture over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate holds the door in the closed position by locking the door bolt. As time passes the strike plate may be disaligned. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate it won't remain closed, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. An easy fix is to simply tighten the screws that support the strike plate. If this doesn't help, you can try shredding or adding wood filler to the hinges.


Apply a stripe of lipstick or other marking substance to the latch before adjusting the strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is contacting between the strike plate's hole, it could be an issue with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's location.

If the marks show that the latch is positioned too high or low in the strike plate hole, take a small piece of cardboard to fit the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This will often fix the issue, particularly if it's caused by sunken or recessed hinges. It also makes it easier to make a professional looking repair.

To adjust the strikeplate, remove it from the jamb on your door. Then use a file to make the hole in which the strikeplate is intended to go. A half-round file is ideal since it conforms to the curvature of the strike plate's hole. Close the door, install the strikeplate, and then check that it is now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch still cannot 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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