Common Home Door Repairs

There will be a time, at least one, where you will find yourself in need of some type of home door repair. Most often this is because of an old door, or hardware which has been around for years. The door needing repair has seen its share of dents, bumps, bangs, and probably has been taken off of the hinges once or twice. There are three common home door repairs which you will come across.

Opening

The next home door repair is when the door won't open. Again, this will most often involve the hinges. Most doors will have a flat line to follow when they are level. If the top hinge is not properly set, the door will tend to swing closed and follow a downward arc. If its the bottom hinge setting, the door will swing open with an upturned arc.

This home door repair is also simple. Open the door, step into the doorway and face the hinges. If the top hinge is to the left, or right, of the bottom hinge the door will swing in the direction of the top hinge. The hinges are out of plumb in this case. Simply move the top hinge to solve this. Make sure you have a straight line from the bottom hinge when you do this. If your house has settled over time, you will need to take the door out and reinstall the door and door frame.

Closing

The first is when the door won't shut. Most often, a door not shutting is due to either the hinges have worked themselves loose, or the door (or door frame) has swelled. This type of home door repair can be done in quick order. The first thing you check is if the hinges and screws are tight. If the door is sagging, prop it up with a small block or book before you tighten the screws. You may need to drill out the hole first. If so, insert a dowel or toothpicks for a quick fix. While you're at it, check the door knob and door latch. These can also cause a door not to shut. If none of these are the problem, find the sticking point on the frame and nail 2" nails through the frame into the stud. The frame will close up against the stud by doing this. And while it may seem a small measurement, I have seen these steps solve many home door repair problems.

Further home door repairs can be done by adjustment. If its a wood door, sand down a small amount where the door sticks. The door most likely swelled and will shrink again when the humidity drops so don't sand too much. If its a metal door, adjust the door jamb instead of the door.

Drafts

Doors which have air coming in around them are an easy home door repair as well. I've done this one many times with old houses. Usually the draft is caused by one of two things; the weather-stripping is old, worn, and needs to be replaced, or the door frame has begun to pull away from the studs. Here's a way to eliminate which way to go with this home door repair. Replace the weather-stripping first. Pull the strips from the door and frame. Then hammer down the old tacks to make them flush with the door. Measure off and cut the new pieces; then tack the new stripping into place. Close the door to see how tight it is.

If you still have a draft, you know its the door. This home door repair is a simple three step process. Remove the door from the hinges. Strategically place new nails along the frame and nail the frame down. Check the hinges to see if they are tight while you are here. Then hang the door back up and close it. You're done.