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10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Buy A Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door problems are easy to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. However, there are times when a task can't be completed without assistance.

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

Check the door for damage.

Many homeowners clean their yards and inspect their doors as the weather cools. The annual inspection should be a lookout for any damages and also identify any areas which aren't working as they should.

Check for corrosion and rust on door hardware, such as hinges, as well as on the frame. Examine for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will keep drafts out of the house and stops air leaks, which can make a home less efficient in energy use.

Be aware of any doors that are stuck, especially after a storm. A door that is difficult to open or close will wear faster and cost more to repair. This issue can arise when the wood used to construct the door is swollen due to humidity. A hygrometer test can be used to determine the cause of this issue.

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

It's important to check the door for cosmetic damage. While minor scratches and dents are common over time, any significant damage that was not present before should be repaired immediately.

While it is sometimes possible to fix the door that has a large crack, any cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as is possible to avoid further issues. Wood rot must be repaired to ensure the integrity of the structure. If you discover serious structural issues with doors, it's best to call in a trained door systems technician to assess and repair any necessary damage.

Close the Hinges

Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If sash window repair leave them unattended, they may damage the hinge or rip out the screws' holes. These screws can be tightened by hand or with the aid of a power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge and then remove the pins.

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

The most drastic option is to remove the hinge pins and hammer them out to make them more spread apart which will also resolve the problem. However, this isn't recommended since it can cause damage to the hinge, and should only be done if the door isn't shut correctly.

Another issue that could be a problem is a screw that doesn't tighten, which could be caused by a damaged screw hole or a sagging doorframe. In this situation, insert the wood plug (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive into the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw can take hold. Repeat the procedure as needed to fill any remaining screw holes that don't tighten. Close the door, and test to see whether it has shut properly. If not, you might need to continue troubleshooting the problem. Begin with the simplest solutions and then make more complicated repairs if needed.

Change the Hinges

Shimming hinges can be used to help the door hang straight when the gap between the jamb and door frame is too large (a condition called toe-in). This can be done by placing a small amount of cardboard or wood on the jamb-side hinge, and then putting two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the door frame. The shims pull the hinge leaf from the door frame and close the gap, removing the bind.

This technique can be a bit tricky however if you're careful you will be able to complete the task without damaging the hinge or door. It is recommended to remove the screws from each hinge before shimming (Knowledge How to remove the pin from a Door Hinge). It may be necessary to pry the door off of its hinges in order to stop the screws from slipping out.

Once the hinges are shifted then you'll need to shut and open the door several times to ensure that they're operating correctly. If the door doesn't stay in place then you can use shims to seal the gaps between the hinge and door.

Another way to correct a binding hinge is to make the mortise wider. This can be accomplished by scraping out the hole using a chisel and filling it in with wood putty. Make sure you sand and paint the putty prior to placing it on the hinge so that it matches the rest of the frame. This isn't as precise as shimming but it's an easy fix for hinges that are out of alignment. It's also less harmful than attempting to rehang the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door remains stuck after tightening hinges and shimming it the jamb might be out of alignment. You can fix this by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall at the latch side of the frame in order to bring it back to level. Measure the shims using a carpenter’s square, and then move them around the frame to make sure it is plumb.


Once you've shimmed the door frame, you can tighten the screws that secure the strike plate to the latch side of the frame to stop it from scraping against the latch. You can either make use of the manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, depending on the severity of the damage.

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

If you've tried sanding, gluing, and filling but your door is still to get stuck, it's time to get rid of the door and begin to work on the frame from scratch. If you can afford it, it's best to replace the parts and do it correctly. However, you might be able save the door by working on small sections of frame without having to remove the whole frame. Be sure not to damage the strength of the entire frame, especially when you're working with wood that's been exposed to moisture over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate holds the door in its closed position by catching the bolt of the door. The movement and setting of doors over time could cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch does not fit into the strikeplate, it will not close, which can lead burglaries or door kick-ins. To fix this issue, tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If it doesn't work, then shimming the hinges or adding wood fill could aid.

Apply a stripe of lipstick or another marking substance on the latch prior to adjusting strike plate. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks reveal that the latch is either with the strike plate's hole, it may be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's position.

If the marks indicate the latch is positioned too low or high in the strike plate hole then take a small piece of cardboard to fit the hinge mortise. Replace the hinge. This can often correct the issue caused by sunken hinges and allows for an attractive repair.

To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from your door jamb. Then, use a file to make the hole in which the strikeplate is intended to be. A half-round filing is ideal since it matches the shape of the hole for the strike plate. Install the strike plate and close the door to see if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch still does not clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to reshape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.

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