See five reasons why the doors in your home have stopped closing properly.
- Swollen Wood Factors like the changing of the weather and humidity can prevent a door from closing properly or cause it to stick in its frame. ...
- Stiff Gaskets Gaskets are the material filling between two or more surfaces. ...
- Expansive Soil The soil your house has been built on can shift and expand after torrential rain or in the winter. ...
- Door Frame ...
- Loose Hinges ...
What does it mean when a door jams?
The jambs are what meets the door frame when the door is closed. You’ll know it’s your problem if the upper or lower corners of the door are getting stuck or scratched when you try to shut it. Usually, it’s a sign that your door is out of alignment.
What is misaligned door?
A misaligned door is prone to getting stuck and being difficult to close. But it's a problem that’s temporarily fixable without having to remove or replace anything. Keep things easy by using sandpaper or an electric planer to trim down the sides that are consistently getting jammed or preventing your door from fully shutting.
How to tell if door hinges need a refresh?
Wonky hinges are responsible for most door closing issues, so make sure to examine them before anything else. Loose screws or a door that appears to be sagging are the main signs that the hinges need a refresh.
How to tell if a latch is the culprit?
To find out if this is the case, mark the latch with a bit of lipstick or slow-drying marker and place a piece of tape on the center of the strike plate. You’ll know that the latch is the culprit if there isn’t any lipstick on the tape when you open the door.
How to fix a latch that won't lock?
Instead, try using a metal file or an electric planer to scrape the hole’s edge until it becomes large enough to fit the latch.
How to fix a bent hinge?
A hinge that looks bent or curved or isn’t properly aligned with the latch isn’t a lost cause, so there’s no need to rush out to the nearest hardware store to replace it. Fix a curved strike plate by flattening it with a hammer. Be sure to unscrew and remove it beforehand to ensure your door doesn’t sustain any additional damages.
How much does it cost to repair a door?
In general, you can expect to pay between $119 and $328, depending on the types of repairs necessary. Occasional repairs from a pro may cost more than taking the DIY route, but they’re far less pricey than investing in a new door altogether. In fact, the cost to install a new interior door can be anywhere from $350 to $1,100.
FAQs
When a door won’t close, it is due to an issue with the door or the lock. But it will always result in the latch or bolt not securing into the strike plate correctly. When the lock’s latch bolt is not holding in that catch, the door can open with a gust of wind or just on its own.
1. Debris
All manner of flotsam and jetsam can accumulate in the catch of the strike plate. Wood or material from the door jam can come loose, partially blocking the catch hole. With the door open, take a look at the hole in the door jam that the latch should be falling into.
2. Doorway Tolerances
When a door won’t close properly, check the openings along the top, bottom, and sides of the door. The wood in both solid core doors and hollow core doors can expand to the point where their gaps close and drag on the doorway.
3. Strike Plate Alignment
When any door won’t close, there is often an issue with how the strike plate is aligned. Your doorway tolerances changing can create this issue, as can your hinge alignment. But you can diagnose and fix the issue by focusing on the strike plate exclusively.
4. Stuck Door Latch
When a door keeps opening, make sure the latch is extending correctly. A stuck door latch might not fully extend into the catch of the strike plate. You may have to fuss with the handle or push at the latch a few times, but see if you can get the latch to come out.
5. Hinge Alignment
The first thing you can do to check on your hinge alignment is open the door and push and pull it in different directions. If the door wobbles, one of the hinges is probably loose. Use a screwdriver and tighten the hinge screws and see if this solves the issue.
