You Are Responsible For An Door Repair Budget? 12 Top Notch Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Fix Common Door Repair Problems
Many door issues are easy to fix, especially when you are able to do the work yourself. Sometimes, a project isn't possible without help.
A stuck door can be caused by the hinges not tight enough or too loose. If the issue continues it is possible to plane or sand down the latch side of the door.
Inspect the Door
As the weather gets cooler homeowners take this time to tidy up the yard and inspect their doors. This once-a-year inspection should not just be a lookout for signs of damage, but also identify areas that aren't functioning as they should.
Check for corrosion and rust on door hardware, such as hinges, and on the frame. Look for broken or damaged weather stripping. This helps keep drafts out of the house and stops air leaks that could cause a home to become less efficient in energy use.
Also, take note of whether any doors are sticking, particularly following a wind storm. A door that is sticking is more difficult to open and close, which increases wear each time it's used and could result in more expensive repairs in the future. This kind of issue can be caused by swollen wood, which occurs when humidity alters the moisture content in the wood of the door. A hygrometer test can be used to determine the source 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 persists then you may try to shimm the hinges or replace them all.
It is important to examine the door for cosmetic damages. While minor dents and scratches are normal however any damage that wasn't there before should also be fixed.
While it's possible to fix the door that has a significant crack, all cracks in the wood should be filled and painted as soon as it is possible to prevent further problems. Wood rot must be replaced as well to ensure the integrity of the structure. If you notice serious structural issues with a door, it is recommended to contact an experienced door systems technician to assess and repair any damage that may be required.
Tighten the Hinges
Door hinge screws may loosen over time. If door repair leave them unattended they may cause damage to the hinge or strip the screws' holes. These screws can be tightened by hand or with the aid of a power drill. Be cautious not to bend the hinge and take out the pins.
First, locate the sticking points and decide how to proceed. If the door rubs near the top or drags onto the floor it is possible to draw the jamb in by driving a long screw through the latch side of the hinge (the side that connects to the strike plate) and countersinking it. This will make the gap a bit larger and usually solves the issue.
A more drastic approach is to remove the hinge pins and then hammer them out to make them more spread apart and will solve the problem. However, this isn't recommended since it could damage the hinge, and should only be done if the door isn't shut properly.
A hole that is stripped of screws, or a sagging doorframe could also cause the screw to not tighten. If this is the case, 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 make it stronger so that the screw can grab hold. Repeat this process for any remaining holes that aren't tightening. Then close the door and check to see whether it has shut correctly. If the problem persists, you may have to tackle the issue again. It is best to begin with the most basic fixes first and only do more involved repairs when necessary.
Change 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 aid in ensuring that the door is straight. This can be done by placing a small piece of wood or cardboard on the jamb-side hinge, and then adding two or three thin wooden shims in between the hinges and the frame of the door. The shims push the hinge leaf away from the door frame and close the gap, removing the binding.
This method can be tricky however, if you're cautious you can get the job done without damaging the hinge or the door. Shimming is most effective if the screws already in place are removed from each hinge first (Knowledge How to Remove the Pin From the Door Hinge). It might be necessary to pull the door off of its hinges to stop the screws from slipping out.
You'll need to open and close the door a few times after the hinges have been shifted to make sure they are working properly. If the door doesn't stay in place it is possible to add shims to fill in the gap between the door and hinge.
Another method to correct the hinge's binding is to make the mortise wider. This can be accomplished by scraping out the hole with the chisel, then filling it in with wood putty. Make sure to sand and paint the putty prior to placing it on the hinge so that it matches the frame's other components. It's not as precise as shimming, but it's a quick solution for a hinge that's out of alignment. It's less damaging than hanging the door again.
Draw in the Jamb
If your door continues to bind after tightening the hinges and shimming the hinges, you could have an issue with the jamb out of plumb. This can be fixed by gently tapping wooden shims between the jamb and wall on the latch side of the frame to bring it back in line. Take measurements of the shims with 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 hold the strike plate to the latch side of the frame to prevent it from scraping against the latch. You can use the manual Phillips screwdriver, or a drill, depending on the severity of damage.
Sometimes, gouges, dents and nicks in the frame can cause it to become stuck against the door. If it's only small dents then 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 you have more serious dents or gouges, you might need to replace the damaged portion of the jamb.
If you've tried sanding or filling and your door continues to lock, it's time to take the door off and begin working on the frame from scratch. It's best to do this in the event that you have the money to buy new components and do it correctly, but sometimes you'll be able to save the door by working on small sections of the frame without completely eliminating it. Just be careful not to compromise the integrity of the rest of the frame, especially if you're dealing with wood that has been subjected to humidity over time.
Adjust the Strike Plate
The strike plate is able to catch the bolt that holds the door in a closed position. As time passes the strike plate may be unbalanced. If the latch is not able to fit into the strikeplate, it won't close, which can result in burglaries and door kick-ins. A quick fix for this is to tighten the screws holding the strike plate. If that doesn't work, shimming the hinges or adding wood fill could aid.
Before adjusting the strike plate, apply a strip of lipstick or other marking substance to the latch. Close the door, and then open it. If the lipstick marks show that the latch is either between the strike plate hole it could be an issue with hinges that are sagging, not the strike plate's location.
If the marks suggest that the latch is too low or high in the strike plate hole, you can use small pieces of cardboard to fit into the hinge mortise and then replace the hinge. This can often correct the problem if it is caused by sunken hinges. It also makes it easier to do an attractive repair.
To adjust the strike plate, take it from the jamb of the door and then make use of a file to increase the hole in the jamb that the strike plate is. A half-round file is the best because it is in line with the curvature of the hole for the strike plate. Close the door, install the strikeplate, and then check that the latch is now clearing the strikeplate hole properly. If the latch isn't able to clear the hole make use of the chisel in the jamb to reshape it where the strike plate meets the jamb.