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20 Questions You Need To ASK ABOUT Door Repair Before Buying It
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many issues with doors can be easily fixed particularly if the work is performed by you. However, sometimes a project can't be completed without assistance.

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

Check the Door

Many homeowners clean up their yards and inspect their doors when the weather cools. This once-a year inspection should check for damages and also identify any areas that aren't performing 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. sash window repair will prevent drafts from entering the home and prevent air leaks that can affect the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.

Be aware of any doors that are sticking, particularly following a wind storm. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which increases wear every time it's used and could result in more expensive repairs down the road. This issue can arise by the fact that the wood of the door becomes swelling due to humidity. A hygrometer test can be used to determine the cause of this issue.


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

It's important to check the door for cosmetic damages. While minor scratches and dents are normal however any damage that wasn't 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 quickly as possible to avoid further problems. To ensure structural integrity wood rot, it has to be replaced. It is recommended to speak with a door systems technician if you notice significant structural issues. They will evaluate the damage and make any needed repairs.

Close the Hinges

It's common for hinge screws on doors 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 for screws to be stripped. You can tighten the screws manually or with a drill, but be cautious not to bend the hinge and be sure to remove the pins as well.

Find the sticking points first, and then decide what to do. If the door rubs close to the top or drags on the floor then you can draw the jamb in by inserting a long screw into the latch side of the hinge (the side that connects 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 remove the hinge pins and hammer them out so that they're more evenly spaced which will also resolve the problem. However it's not recommended as it could damage the hinge and should only be done when the door isn't shut correctly.

A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe, can also cause a screw to not tighten. In this situation, insert the wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Allow it to dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat the procedure as needed for any screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door and test to see whether it has shut correctly. If not, you'll have to keep trying to solve the problem. It is recommended to start with the easiest fixes first and only do more complex repairs if needed.

Shim the Hinges

Shimming hinges can be used to aid in hanging the door straight when the gap between the jamb and door frame is too large (a condition known as toe-in). This can be accomplished by placing a small piece of wood or cardboard under the hinge on the jamb side, then adding one or more thin, wooden shims between the hinge and the frame of the door. The shims push the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, removing the bind.

It's not an easy process however, with a bit of attention, you can complete it without damaging the hinge or door. It is best to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge - How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). It may be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges to avoid unscrewing.

Once the hinges have been shifted, you'll need to close and open the door several times to ensure that they're operating correctly. If the door doesn't stay in place, you can add shims to close the gaps between the hinge and door.

You can also correct a binding door hinge by increasing the size of the mortise. This is done by removing the hole with a chisel, and then filling it with wood putty. To be able to match the frame's rest make sure to sand the putty, then paint it prior to affixing it to the hinge. It's not as precise as shimming, but it's an easy fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's also less damaging than trying to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door remains stuck after tightening hinges and shimming it the jamb could be out of alignment. This can be corrected by gently tapping wooden shims that are located on the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Make sure you measure the shims with the help of a carpenter's ruler and move them around the frame until it is level 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 keep it from scratching against the latch. You can either use a manual Phillips screwdriver or drill, based on the extent of the damage.

Sometimes, dents, gouges and nicks in the frame cause it to stick against the door. If there are just a few minor dents on the frame, you can fill in the surface using wood filler that matches 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 you've tried sanding and filling and your door continues to lock, it's time to take the door off and begin to work on the frame from scratch. If you're able to afford it, it's recommended to replace the components and do it right. However, you may be able to save the door if you work on small pieces of the frame without having to remove the whole thing. Be sure not to damage the integrity of the entire frame, particularly if you're dealing with older wood that has been subjected to humidity over the course of time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate is able to catch the door bolt and holds the door in the closed position. The shifting and setting of doors over time may cause the strike plate to be misaligned with the latch. If the latch cannot seat into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can lead 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 shifting or adding wood fill to the hinges.

Apply a thin strip of lipstick or another marking substance on the latch prior to adjusting the strike plate. Close the door and open it. If the lipstick marks indicate that the latch is located above or below the hole of the strike plate, the issue may be with the hinges.

If the marks indicate the latch is positioned too low or high in the strike plate hole, use a small piece cardboard to fit the mortise on the hinge. Replace the hinge. This is often a solution to the problem, if it's caused by sunken or hinges that are recessed or sunken. It can also make it easier to create a professional looking repair.

To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from the jamb of your door. Then, you can use an appropriate file to mark the hole in which the strikeplate is intended to go. A half-round filing is ideal since it matches the curvature of the hole for the strike plate. Install the strike plate, close the door and see if the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole properly. If the latch does not clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to alter its shape where the strike plate is positioned to meet the jamb.

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