You've just finished moving into your new house, and you're eager to settle in and make the space your own. But there's a pesky problem—a few doors in your home just won’t close properly! You try pushing and pulling, but nothing seems to work. What’s up with these doors?
If you’re wondering how to fix a door that won’t close, you're in luck. In this article, we'll provide an easy-to-follow guide on how to diagnose and solve the mystery of the uncooperative door.
You don't have to call in a repairman (or even invest too much elbow grease!) to get those doors shut tight—we'll show you how two simple steps can help you shut out any outside disturbances from the elements or nosy neighbors. Let's get started on solving this mystery!
Causes of a Door That Won't Close
When your door won't close, it can be forever holding you back. But what's the cause of your door's refusal to cooperate? Here are some things to consider:
Hinge screws: If your hinge screws aren't tight enough, they can be causing your door to sag and not close properly. Check them and make sure they are tight.
Flooring: An uneven floor can cause a door not to close properly; check below the door to see if there is a gap or large difference in height.
Door strike plate: The strike plate is the metal piece that fastens onto the door trim, with a corresponding latch on the opposite side of the frame that usually holds the door closed. If it is misaligned, it can stop the latch from engaging.
Door jamb: If your frame is out of plumb (meaning not straight), it may cause the hinge side of your door to rub against the frame when closing, preventing it from shutting completely.
Considering these common causes will help you figure out how best to fix—and keep—your door closed!
Assessing the Problem and Gather Materials
When faced with a door that won't close all the way, the first step you should take is to assess the problem. Check to see if any part of the door is sticking, or if the hinges are loose. Sometimes, the problem may be as simple as needing to adjust how level the door is.
Once you have a better understanding of why your door isn't closing, it's time to gather materials for a repair job. Depending on what you think needs fixing, this could include hinges, screws, shims, a drill, lubricants, and more. Luckily for DIYers today, many such tools and materials are widely available in hardware stores and online stores alike!
Adjusting the Hinges and Door Strike Plate
If your door is still refusing to close after replacing the weather stripping, it's time to move on to adjusting the hinges and door strike plate. You'll need a few tools like a screwdriver and a hammer, as well as some patience.
Adjusting the hinges
You'll need to take off the hinge pins by using your screwdriver—careful not to pull out the pins completely or you'll have trouble putting them back.
Once you've taken out each pin one at a time, you'll need to slightly bend both sides of each hinge in the same direction. This will cause the door to move closer towards the jamb. Put each pin back in its original position and shut the door again — if there's still a gap, repeat with more bending until it shuts properly!
Aligning the strike plate
If it's still not shutting properly, check that your strike plate is aligned with its latch on your frame. If it's misaligned, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on both sides of it and then make any necessary adjustments until everything lines up properly. Tighten up all of its screws and try closing your door again—it should be shut now!
Replacing the Door Jamb or Jambs
You may also need to replace the door jamb or jambs. These are the horizontal components, typically made of wood, that make up the frame of your door. Sometimes the problem can be solved by replacing just a part of a jamb, such as the strike plate or bottom piece.
For a more complete repair job, you'll want to replace both jambs and the hinges. Depending on your level of handyman experience, you might want to call in an experienced carpenter for this one. This could also be a time-consuming project as it involves:
- Measuring and cutting new jambs
- Cutting away and removing what's left of the old jambs
- Installing new jambs into place
- Attaching hinges to your newly installed jambs
- Drilling holes to install screws into new hinge plates
- Reinstalling your door
- Repositioning existing strike plates and frames
- Making any necessary adjustments for alignment
It's not a quick fix, but when done correctly, replacing jambs is a great way to make sure that your door closes properly for years to come!
Installing a New Door Frame
If your door still won't close, it could be because of a faulty door frame. In this case, you'll need to replace the entire frame. If you want to do it yourself, it will take some time and a little patience.
First, you'll need to measure the size of the opening, as well as the thickness of the wall. You'll also want to make sure that you get the door hinges in the right spot (depending on right-handed or left-handed doors) so that your new frame fits properly.
Once everything is measured and noted down, here are some key steps you should take to install a new door frame:
- Cut off any existing trim using your saw.
- Remove any nails or screws from the jambs and studs using your power drill and pliers.
- Install any replacement boards that may be needed for rotted wood in the doorway if required.
- Attach new jambs to existing studs with screws or nails via predrilled holes (once again, depending on right-handed or left-handed doors).
- Install header at top of the jamb for support (and make sure to use shims here if necessary).
Attach door hinges onto jamb studs by driving in screws via a power drill until they are flush into the wood surface; make sure they’re properly aligned with the top hinge centered over the bottom hinge so that it closes evenly over time).
Caulk around the edges of the frame for sealing before installing trim pieces and painting/staining as desired for final touchups.
Finishing Touches to Fix a Door That Won't Close
If you've done all the steps above, you should have a door that's now closing properly. But don't forget to take care of the finishing touches before you call it a job well done.
These steps include:
Check to see if your screws are properly tightened so your door won't come loose over time. Also, remember to check to make sure that the screws are not too tight, which can prevent the door from closing properly.
Look at additional elements on the door, like seals and weather stripping, hinges, and locks to make sure they are still functioning as intended after all your adjustments
Make sure that your door latch is tight enough so that when it’s closed it doesn’t keep popping open
Making these small tweaks and double-checking for any potential issues will help ensure that you don’t have to go through this fixing process again any time soon!
Conclusion
Fixing a door that won't close can be a bit of a mystery, but with the right tools and techniques, you can be on your way to a resolution. You may need to adjust the hinges, adjust the strike plate, or even replace parts of the door altogether if they become too damaged.
No matter what's causing your door to stick, you can find a solution with a little patience and some trial and error. You'll soon be glad you took the time to repair your door, since it will provide you with peace of mind and ensure the security and privacy of your home.
More Articles for You:
DIY Your Way to Perfect Shelves - Easy Projects