A Delightful Rant About Door Repair
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door problems are easy to fix, especially if you can do the work yourself. But, sometimes a job isn't feasible without help.
A door that is stuck can be caused by hinges not tight enough or too loose. If the issue continues, you may need to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.
Check the Door
Many homeowners clean up their yards and check their doors as the weather cools. This annual inspection should not only look for signs of damage, but also uncover areas that aren't performing as they should.
Look for rust and corrosion on door hardware like hinges, and on the frame. Check for damaged or broken weather stripping. This will stop drafts from entering the home and also stop air leaks that can reduce the efficiency of your home's energy consumption.
Note whether any doors are stuck, especially in the aftermath of a strong wind. A door that is stuck is more difficult to open and close, which increases wear each time you use it and could result in higher repair costs down the road. This kind of issue can be caused by swollen wood which occurs when humidity alters the amount of moisture in the door's wood. A simple test with an hygrometer can help pinpoint the cause of this problem.
If your door is swelling, then you can make use of a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws. If the problem persists you may try shimming your hinges or replacing them.
It's also important to examine the door for any damage that appears to be cosmetic. While minor scratches and dents are normal over time, any serious damage that was not there before should be repaired as soon as possible.
While it is sometimes possible to fix doors that have a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled in and painted as soon as it is possible to avoid further issues. Wood rot must be replaced as well to ensure the integrity of the structure. It is best to contact an expert in door systems if you spot structural issues that are significant. They will be able to examine the damage and make the necessary repairs.
Close the Hinges
It's common for door hinge screws to work themselves loose as time passes However, if you let them in place for too long, it could cause damage to the hinge and the screw holes to become stripped. These screws can be tightened by hand or with the power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge and take out the pins.
First, find the points of friction and decide what to do next. If the door rubs close to the top or drags on the floor, 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 a little larger and often solves the problem.
The most drastic option is to remove the hinge pins and then hammer them out until they're more dispersed, which will also solve the problem. However it's not recommended as it can cause damage to the hinge and should only be done if the door isn't shut properly.
A damaged screw hole or a door frame that is sagging, can also cause a screw to not tighten. If this is the case, simply insert a wood plug or match coated with carpenter's glue into the screw hole and allow it to set before attaching the hinge. This will fill the hole and strengthen it so that the screw can take hold. Repeat as needed for any remaining screw holes that aren't tight enough. Then close the door and check to see whether it is now shut properly. If the issue continues then you might need to continue troubleshooting. It's best to start with the most basic fixes first, and then do more complicated repairs if necessary.
Shim the Hinges
Shimming hinges can be used 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). This can be done by placing a small piece wood or cardboard on the jamb's side hinge and then putting two or three wooden shims in between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims push the hinge leaf from the door frame and close the gap, removing the binding.
This procedure can be difficult however, if you're cautious you will be able to complete the task without damaging the hinge or door. Shimming is most effective if the screws already in place are removed from each hinge first. (Knowledge: How to Remove the Pin From a Door Hinge). This could mean removing the door off its hinges to keep them from slipping off.
After the hinges have been moved and the door is closed, you'll have to shut and open the door a few times to make sure that they're working properly. If the door still binds it, you can put on more shims until the gaps between the hinge and the door as well as the hinge and the door are closed.
Another way to correct a binding hinge is by making the mortise wider. This is done by scraping out the hole with an axe and then filling it up with wood putty. Make sure you sand and paint the putty before putting it on the hinge to match the rest of the frame. This isn't as accurate as shifting, but it's a quick solution for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's not as destructive as hanging the door from the ceiling.
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If your door is still stuck after the hinges have been pushed tight and shimming them the jamb might be out of alignment. This can be fixed by gently tapping on wooden shims on the latch side to the frame between the jambs and the wall. Measure the shims using a carpenter's square, then move them around the frame to make sure that they are in line.
Once you've shimmed the door frame then you can tighten the screws that hold the strike plate on the frame's latch side to prevent it from scraping against the latch. You can either employ an manual Phillips screwdriver or drill, depending on the severity of damage.
Occasionally, dents, nicks and gouges in the frame can cause it to become a binder against the door. If it's just small dents and nicks, you can smooth out 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 you have more serious dents or gouges, you may need to replace the damaged section of the jamb.
If your door continues to bind after you've tried filling, sanding, and re-sanding the frame, it could be time to remove the entire door and start over. If you're able to afford it, you should replace the components and do it properly. However, you might be able save the door by working on small sections of frame without taking away the entire frame. Just be careful not to damage the strength of the entire frame, particularly if you're dealing with older wood that's been exposed to humidity over the course of time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate catches the bolt that holds the door in an open position. The shifting and setting of a door over time can cause the strike plate to misalign with the latch. If the latch can't seat into the strike plate, it will not remain closed, which could result in burglaries and door kick-ins. To remedy this, tighten the screws that hold the strike plate. If that doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill can help.
Apply a stripe of lipstick or other marking material on the latch prior to adjusting strike plate. Close the door and then open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is contacting above or below the strike plate's hole, it may be a problem with sagging hinges rather than the strike plate's position.
If the marks show that the latch is resting too high or low in the strike plate hole, you can use small pieces of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise, and then replace the hinge. This will usually fix the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges. This makes it easier to do a professional repair.
To alter the strikeplate's position, remove it from the jamb of your door. Then, use a file to make the hole where the strikeplate is meant to go. A half-round file is the best because it is in line with the curve of the hole to accommodate the strike plate. Reinstall the strike plate and close the door to check if the latch is now clearing the strike plate hole correctly. If the latch still isn't able to clear the hole then use the chisel on the jamb to shape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.