Notes

Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" About Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems

Many door problems are easy to fix, particularly when you can complete the work yourself. However, sometimes a project isn't doable without help.

A door that is stuck can be due to the hinges not tight enough or too loose. If the problem persists you may have to plane or sand the latch side of your door.

Check the door for damage.

Many homeowners clean out their yards and inspect their doors as the weather gets cooler. This once-a-year inspection should not just look for signs of damage but also uncover areas that aren't working as they should.

Check for sash window repair and rust on door hardware such as hinges, and on the frame. Look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This will prevent drafts from entering the home and also stop air leaks that can affect the efficiency of a home's energy usage.

Note whether any doors are stuck, especially after a strong wind. 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 later on. This problem can be caused when the wood used to construct the door gets swelling due to humidity. A hygrometer test could be used to identify the cause of this problem.

If your door is becoming swollen and you are unable to close it, 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 also important that you check the door for any cosmetic damage. While minor dents and scratches are expected over time, any significant damage that was not present prior to repair should be done immediately.

While it's possible to fix a door that has a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as is possible to avoid any further issues. Wood rot must be repaired to ensure the strength of the structure. It is recommended to speak with an expert in door systems if you find significant structural issues. They will be able to assess the damage and make any needed repairs.

Then tighten the Hinges

Door hinge screws can loosen over time. If you don't watch them, they may damage the hinge or strip the screws' holes. The screws can be tightened manually or using the power drill. Be careful not to bend the hinge and remove the pins.

Locate the sticking points first, and then decide what you'll do. If the door rubs against the top or is dragging on the floor then you can draw in the jamb by using a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that attaches to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will widen the gap and will usually resolve the problem.

An alternative is to simply remove the hinge pins, then hammer them out to make them more dispersed, which will also solve the problem. This isn't recommended as it could cause damage to the hinge. It is only recommended to do this when the door does not close properly.

A stripped screw hole or a sagging doorframe, can also cause a screw to not tighten. In this situation, insert an apron (or match) dipped into carpenter's adhesive in the screw hole. Let it dry before reattaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and make it stronger so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat this procedure for any remaining holes that aren't tightening. Close the door, and verify whether it has shut properly. If the issue continues it may be necessary to continue troubleshooting. Begin with the simplest solutions and then make more complicated repairs if needed.

Shim the Hinges


Shimming hinges can be utilized to help the door hang straight when the gap between the jamb and the door frame is too wide (a condition known as toe-in). You can do this by placing a small piece wood or cardboard on the jamb's side hinge and then putting two or three thin wooden shims 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 method can be tricky however if you're careful you will be able to complete the task without causing damage to the hinge or door. Shimming is most effective if the screws that are in place are removed from each hinge first. (Knowledge: How to Remove the Pin from a Door Hinge). It might be necessary to remove the door of its hinges in order to prevent the screws from coming loose.

You'll have to open and close the door a number of times after the hinges have been shifted to make sure they're functioning properly. If the door doesn't stay in place, you can add shims to close the gaps between the door and hinge.

You can also fix the hinge that is binding by increasing the size of the mortise. This is accomplished by scraping the hole with a chisel, and then filling it 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. This isn't as precise as shimming, but it's a quick fix for a hinge that is out of alignment. It's also less harmful than trying to fix the door.

Draw in the Jamb

If your door is still bound after tightening the hinges and shimming the hinges, you could have a problem with the jamb not being of line. This can be corrected by gently tapping on wooden shims at the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Take measurements of the shims with a carpenter’s square, and then move them around the frame to make sure that it is level.

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

Sometimes, dents, gouges and nicks within the frame cause it to stick to the door. If it's only tiny scratches, you can smooth the surface using wood filler that matches the color of the trim around the door and then sand it down prior to staining or painting. If the dents are larger they may require you to replace the damaged section of the jamb.

If your door continues to bind after filling, sanding, or refining the frame, it may be time to get rid of the entire door and begin again. If you can afford it, you should 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 removing the whole frame. Be sure not to compromise the strength of the rest of the frame, especially if you're dealing with older wood that has been subjected to humidity over time.

Adjust the Strike Plate

The strike plate grabs the bolt of the door and keeps the door in a closed position. The movement and setting of a door over time may cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can result in burglaries or door kick-ins. To fix this issue, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If this doesn't work then you can try shredding or adding wood filler to the hinges.

Before making adjustments to the strike plate, apply a thin strip of lipstick or other marking substance to the latch. Close the door and then open it. If the lipstick marks reveal that the latch is touching above or below the strike plate's hole, it may be a problem with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's location.

If the marks show that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, use small pieces of cardboard that fits into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This will often fix the problem, when it's caused due to sunken or receding hinges. It will also make it easier to create an attractive repair.

To adjust the strikeplate, remove 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 since it conforms to the shape of the strike plate hole. Reinstall the strike plate close the door and check if the latch is now able to clear the strike plate hole in a proper manner. If the latch still isn't able to 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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