Tips

4 common door problems in your home

You probably don’t think about your doors too much – until they stop doing what they were made for! Unfortunately, doors can develop problems over time that can cause headaches, such as not closing properly. But don't worry, many of these issues are easy to fix.

March 16, 2023

Squeaking hinges

If you're tired of hearing that annoying sound every time you open or close a door, try lubricating the hinges with a silicone-based lubricant or WD-40. If the hinges are old and worn out, you may need to replace them altogether.

Misaligned strike plate

If your door won't latch properly, it may be due to a misaligned strike plate. The strike plate is the metal piece on the door frame that the latch goes into when the door is closed. Try loosening the screws holding the plate in place and adjust it until the latch fits snugly.

Sticking door

This is when a door is difficult to open or close because it rubs against the door frame. If this is happening, you can try sanding down the edges of the door with sandpaper, or using a hand plane to remove small amounts of wood from the edges until the door opens and closes smoothly.

Droopy/sagging doors

Over time, door hinge screws can loosen causing misalignment with the door jamb. If the screws are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver to bring the door back into alignment.

Gaps

If your front door has gaps around the edges, it may be letting in drafts and making your home less energy efficiency. You can fix this by installing weatherstripping around the edges of the door to seal the gaps. If this doesn’t work, it may be time for a new door!

If you don’t feel like tackling any of these problems yourself, give your local carpenter a call. They deal with door problems day-in, day-out and will have them fixed in no time.

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