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11 Ways To Completely Redesign 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. However, sometimes a project can't be completed without assistance.

Often, the cause of a sticking door is simply that the hinges must be tightened or moved. If the problem persists it is possible to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.

Check the door for damage.

As the temperature drops homeowners take this time to clean up the yard and inspect their doors. This annual inspection shouldn't just be a lookout for signs of damage but also identify areas that aren't functioning as they should.

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

Be aware of any doors that are sticking, especially following a wind storm. A door that is more difficult to open or close will wear out more quickly and will cost more to fix. This kind of issue can be caused by swollen or swollen wood which happens when humidity changes the moisture content of the wood of the door. A simple test with an hygrometer can help pinpoint the source of this issue.

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

It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are to be expected however any damage that was not there before should also be repaired.

While it is sometimes possible to repair the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. To ensure the structural integrity of your home any wood that is rotting should be replaced. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems when you spot structural issues that are significant. They will assess the damage and make any necessary repairs.

Close the Hinges

It's normal for screws on door hinges to work themselves loose as time passes However, if you let them for too long, they could cause damage to the hinge, and the holes in the screws to become stripped. These screws can be tightened manually or using a power drill. Be cautious not to bend the door hinge and then remove the pins.

The first step is to locate the sticking points and determine the best way to proceed. If the door rubs against 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 is attached to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap slightly larger and can often resolve the issue.

The most drastic option is to simply take out the hinge pins and hammer them out until they're more evenly spaced which will also resolve the issue. This is not recommended as it could damage the hinge. It should only be done if the door doesn't close properly.

A hole that is stripped of screws, or a sagging doorframe, can also cause the screw to not tighten. In this situation, insert a wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before you can reattach your hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat as needed for any screw holes that don't tighten. Close upvc window repairs near me and test to see if it shuts correctly. If the issue continues it may be necessary to keep attempting to solve the issue. It is recommended to start with the simplest solutions first and then move on to more complicated repairs if necessary.

Shim the Hinges

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

It's a difficult process, but with a little attention, you can complete it without damaging the hinge or door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge before shifting (Knowledge - How to remove the Pin from the Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges to prevent them from coming loose.

Once the hinges are shifted then you'll need to close and open the door a few times to make sure that they're operating correctly. If the door still sticks then you can use shims to close the gap between the hinge and the door.

Another method to correct the hinge's binding is to make the mortise larger, which is done by scraping the hole using the chisel, then filling it with wood putty. To match the rest of your frame, sand the putty and paint it prior to applying it to the hinge. It's not as precise as shmming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that isn't aligned. It's less damaging than hanging the door again.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door still sticks after closing hinges and shimming it the jamb might be out of alignment. It is possible to fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and the wall at the latch side of the frame in order to bring it back to level. The shims are measured using the carpenter's square and then move them around the frame to ensure that it is level.

Once you've shimmed the door frame then you can tighten the screws that hold the strike plate on the latch side of the frame to stop it from scraping against the latch. You can use either the manual Phillips screwdriver or a drill to accomplish this, based on the scope of the damage.

Sometimes, nicks, dents and gouges within the frame could cause it to bind against the door. If it's only small scratches, you can smooth the surface using wood filler that is the same color as the trim around the door and then sand it down before painting or staining. For more severe dents and gouges, it may be necessary to replace the damaged part of the jamb.

If you've tried sanding or filling but your door is still to bind, it's probably time to get rid of the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. It's best to do this when you're able to purchase new parts and do it correctly however, sometimes you can save the door by working on smaller sections of the frame without completely removing it. Be cautious not to compromise the structural integrity of the frame particularly if you are dealing with old wood that has been exposed to moisture over the years.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate keeps the door in the closed position by engaging the bolt that holds the door. In time the strike plate could be disaligned. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate, it won't stay 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 you, try shredding or adding wood filler to the hinges.

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

If the marks show that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, you can use a small piece of cardboard that fits into the mortise of the hinge and then replace the hinge. This is often a way to fix the issue caused by sunken hinges and makes it easier to do a professional repair.


To adjust the strikeplate, take it from the jamb of your door. Then, use a file to make the hole where the strikeplate is meant to be. A half-round file is the best choice because it is in line with the curve of the strike plate hole. Reinstall the strike plate close the door and check if the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch is still not clearing the hole using a chisel, reshape the area of the jamb that meets the strike plate.

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