Doors get damaged. They get worn and ugly, stop working properly, and fail to prevent unwanted access to your home. Sometimes you’re better off replacing rather than repairing a damaged door. But for minor damage, especially to interior doors, you can tackle the problem yourself. Psalm 23 Handyman in Greenville, SC, is here to do door repair in Greenville, SC, and show you how you can fix a door and keep it looking and working well.
Fixing Doors
Chipped paint, cracks, dents, and scratches are common on doors. These problems are not expensive to fix. You will need the right tools, though.
Some tips on fixing a sagging door
Hinge adjustment
There are two ways to adjust the hinges on your sagging door. You can purchase a special tool or use the crescent wrench trick. Fix This House shows you the crescent wrench trick in this video.
Loose or stripped hinge screws
Check all the screws holding the hinge to the door and frame. You can use toothpicks or a longer screw to fix any stripped screws.
Hinge Mortise adjustments
When surface-mounted, door hinges will be exposed to wear and tear, and may begin to sag or come loose, thus jeopardizing the function of the door itself. Mortise hinges provide greater strength and stability.
To solve door sag issues, as a last resort method, you can adjust the hinge mortise so as to lower the door. Fix This House shows you the crescent wrench trick in this video.
Adjusting the door or frame size
Lastly, and as a last resort you can either sand the door frame and door itself, or you can plane the door.
Door Cracks
If your wood door has developed a crack, you can repair it with wood filler. Wood putty is for small, barely noticeable cracks. Wood filler for larger cracks.
- Apply the putty or filler to the crack using a putty knife, filling the entire gap. Use a paintable or sustainable filler. Be aware that fillers, mixed with stains can be tricky to match.
- Let the filler dry.
- Sand the filler.
- Prime and paint or stain the repair. Larger cracks may require you to repaint the entire door for an even finish.
How to Fix a Kicked-In Door
Kicked-in doors typically involve damage to the door frame, so you may be better off to replace the door and frame if the damage is extensive enough to compromise your home’s security. If the frame just has a small crack or a small area of splintered or loose wood, though, you may be able to repair it yourself. Here is a photo of a door that Psalm 23 Handyman repaired that was kicked in by emergency personnel responding to a Lifeline medical alert in the case of an elderly man falling in his home. The blurred photo is unintentional. Technical difficulties. My appologies.
- Remove the metal catch or strike hardware from the frame if the damage is in that area.
- Remove any chipped wood or smaller splinters from the cracked area.
- Apply wood glue with a putty knife to the wood that’s been split.
- Clamp the split wood together and allow the glue to fully dry.
- Remove the clamps and sand the glued area.
- Repaint or restain, if needed.
- Remount the door catch or strike hardware.
How to Fix a Dented Door
Doors get dented with everyday use, but small dents in wood doors can be easily fixed. Larger dents are more difficult to repair. For large dents, door replacement may be necessary.
How to repair small dents:
- Clean loose wood from the area.
- Fill the dent with paintable wood epoxy and let the epoxy fully set.
- Let dry.
- Prime and paint or stain the patch, or repaint or restain the entire door for a more consistent finish.
When to Replace a Broken Door
Over time and with frequent use, a door’s parts will break down. When repairs become frequent or too costly or if cracks, dents, and rot are extensive, it may be time to replace the door altogether.
A warped door also needs to be replaced, as does one that expands and contracts too much in climate extremes. Drafts and gaps around a door will not only make you feel chilly, but they’ll also drive up your energy bills. A new door will keep your utility bills low and you comfortable.
Tips on door maintenance
- For a stained wood door, apply furniture polish or wax to keep the wood hydrated.
- Periodically tighten hinge screws to prevent problems that can come from loose hardware, such as sticking, hanging crooked, or damaged hinges.
- Lubricate hinges and door hardware to keep them working smoothly.