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

Many door problems can be fixed easily in the event that the work is done by you. Sometimes a project just isn't possible without help.

Often, the cause of stuck doors is that the hinges have to be tightened or shifted. If the problem persists you may have to plane 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 inspect their doors. The annual inspection should not just check for signs of damage, but also uncover areas that aren't functioning as they should.

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

Be aware of any doors that are stuck, particularly after a strong wind. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear out faster and cost more to repair. This kind of issue can be caused by swollen wood which occurs when humidity changes the moisture content of the door's wood. A hygrometer test can be used to determine the source of this problem.

If your door is swollen you can tighten the hinge screws using the help of a screwdriver. If the problem continues then you may try shimming the hinges or replace them altogether.


It's crucial to inspect the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are to be expected, any damage that was not present before must be fixed.

It is possible to repair a large door crack. However, all wood cracks should be filled in and painted as soon as possible to avoid further issues. To ensure the structural integrity of your home, any wood rot should be replaced. It is recommended to contact an expert in door systems when you spot structural issues that are significant. They can assess the damage and make any necessary repairs.

Tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If you do not watch them they could damage the hinge or strip the screws' holes. You can tighten these screws by hand or with a drill, however, be cautious not to bend the hinge, and ensure that you remove the pins too.

First, locate the sticking points and determine the best way to proceed. If the door rubs close to the top or drags onto the floor then you can draw the jamb in 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 make the gap a slightly larger and can often resolve the problem.

The most drastic option is to simply take out the hinge pins and hammer them out so that they're more dispersed and will solve the issue. However window repair near me 's not recommended as it can cause damage to the hinge and should only be done when the door doesn't shut properly.

A damaged screw hole or a door frame that is sagging could cause the screw to loosen. In this case, insert a wood plug (or match) coated with carpenter's glue in the screw hole. Let it dry before you can reattach your hinge. This will fill the hole and reinforce the area to allow the screw to be held in place. Repeat as needed to fill any remaining screw holes that aren't tight enough. Close the door and test to see if it closes properly. If not, you'll be required to continue tackling the issue. Start with the most basic solutions and then make more complex repairs if necessary.

Shim the Hinges

If the gap between the jamb and door is too large (a condition referred to as toe-in) Shimming the hinges can help the door hang straight. This can be accomplished by placing a small bit of cardboard or wood under the hinge on the jamb side, and then adding one or more thin, wooden shims between the hinge and the frame of the door. The shims will push the leaf of the hinge away from the frame, closing the gap and eliminating the bind that caused the problem.

It's not an easy process however, with a bit of care you can do it without causing harm to the door or hinge. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shifting (Knowledge - How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). This could require prying the door off its hinges to keep them from slipping off.

You'll need to open and close the door a few times after the hinges have been moved to make sure they're working correctly. If the door doesn't stay in place it is possible to add shims to close the gap between the door and hinge.

Another way to correct the hinge's binding is to make the mortise wider. This is done by removing the hole with an axe and then filling it in with wood putty. Make sure to polish and sand the putty before you use it on the hinge to match the rest of the frame. It's not as precise as shifting but it's a simple fix for an out-of-alignment hinge. It's not as destructive as hanging the door from the ceiling.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door is still bound after tightening the hinges and shimming it, there could be an issue with the jamb out of line. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall on the latch side of the frame to bring it back in line. Make sure you measure the shims with a carpenter's square before moving them around the frame until it is aligned on both sides of the frame.

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

Sometimes, gouges, dents, and nicks in the frame cause it to stick against the door. If there are only small scratches on the frame, you can fill in the holes with a wood filler that matches the trim around the door. Sand it down and then paint or stain it. If the dents are more extensive they may require you to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding, gluing, and filling but your door is still to get stuck, it's time to take the door off and begin to work on the frame from scratch. If you can afford it, it's best to replace the parts and do it properly. However, you may be able to save the door if you work on small sections of frame without removing the whole thing. Be sure not to damage the structural integrity of the frame especially if you're dealing with wood that has been exposed to moisture over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate is able to catch the door bolt and holds the door in a closed position. The shifting and setting of doors over time can cause the strike plate to become misaligned with the latch. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate it won't remain closed, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. To remedy this, tighten the screws that are holding the strike plate. If this doesn't help then you can try shimming or adding wood fill to the hinges.

Apply a stripe of lipstick or another marking material on the latch prior to adjusting the strike plate. Close the door and then open it. If the lipstick marks suggest that the latch is positioned above or below the the strike plate, the problem could be related to the hinges.

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

To adjust the strikeplate, take it from the jamb on your door. Then use an appropriate file to mark the hole where the strikeplate is meant to go. Half-round files are ideal because it matches the shape of the strike plate's hole. Close the door, then reinstall the strikeplate and verify that the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch is not clearing the hole using a chisel, shape the area of the jamb that meets the strike plate.

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