Most of the time, people think a door is just a door. But a door is an essential element of the house. It is what provides security and privacy. Thus, correctly installing an entry in the wall opening is vital. A faulty installation may pose a threat to the safety of your house. Also, as doors are constantly used, they will show signs of wear and tear sooner than any other part of the house. So, if you face difficulty opening or closing the door and windows, it is time to navigate the issue and hire home maintenance services.
There is a variety of doors available in the market. However, different doors face unique problems according to their style and buildup. For example, pocket doors may jump their track, whereas bifold doors may develop gaps or pop out of their pivot mounts. Similarly, sliding glass doors may get stuck in their tracks, or the panels may come off from the frame, whereas hinged doors may get balky, sticking in their structure or too loose to seal correctly.
But all these problems have one thing in common: a loose connection.
No matter what type of door you have, this article will provide you with a complete guide on how to fix the doors when they start to malfunction.
Different issues that require door repair services:
- A Squeaky Door:
The sound of a squeaky door is annoying and distracting. The creaking noise is usually caused by loose screws, hinges, knobs, or rusted hinges. You need to tighten all the screws and knobs to fix this issue. Also, lubricating the hinges with WD-40 or any other lubricant can alleviate this problem. Remove one hinge pin at a time to about one to two-inch. Rub the dirt with soap and water and lubricate it with an old paintbrush or cloth. Replace the hinge pin with its original position and wipe off the extra oil with a tissue.
- A Stuck Door:
If your door is stuck, it means that the door has shifted from its original position. It may be due to improper installation or unalignment of the hinges. You can fix this problem by readjusting the screws. Another reason for a stuck door could be repeated painting and the buildup of dirt and debris. In this case, you need to clean the door track. Doors also start sticking when the edges rub against the frame or floor every time they are opened or closed. With the help of local handyman services, shave away a small amount of wood for efficiently opening and closing the door. Wet weather may also cause wooden doors to stick. Consider rubbing beeswax around the edges that stick or remove the door and sand down the sticking edges.
Note: Do not attempt to adjust the doors too much as they are likely to swell during warm weather and shrink as the temperature decreases. Also, do not leave bare wood exposed; the grains will start swelling as the water enters.
- A Sagging Door:
A sagging door tilts towards the doorknob side when it is open. Also, the door scrapes the door jamb every time you open it. The main reason for a sagging door is an uneven installation of the hinges. When you install the door, make sure that all the three hinges are at the same level. A warped door or loose screws cause a sagging door. The top hinge screws come out or loosen or are broken. In this case, you need to tighten the hinges properly with new pins or replace the hinge with a new one. Extra layers of paint under the door hinges may also push the door out of alignment. Thus, it needs to clean off the color properly.
- A Door With Gaps:
If you can see gaps around your door, the door is not sealed correctly. The most common reason for this issue is incorrect installation. You can fix this problem by readjusting the door. Another reason for gaps around the door is seasonal change. As the temperature changes, so do the size of the door. During summer, when it is hot, the door expands and creates gaps; in winter, when it is cold, the door contracts and creates gaps. The best way to fix this problem is to install weatherstripping around the door.
- A Rattling Door:
If your door rattles every time there is a gust of wind, the door is fitted too loosely and not properly secured. The reason behind this problem is the wrong placement of the strike plate or the doorstops. To fix this issue, you must remove the strike plate and doorstops and reposition them correctly. Also, if the strike plate has a flange in the center, you can bend the flange with pliers to tighten the strike plate. Another reason for a rattling door could be improper weatherstripping installation. In this case, you must remove the old weatherstripping and install a new one.
- A Door That Swings Open or Closed On Its Own:
This type of problem is usually seen in French doors and screen doors. The reason for this issue is an improper installation and a loose connection between the door and the frame. You can fix this problem by readjusting the door. The door frame should be sturdy and perfectly level so the door will close and open properly.
- A Door With A Hole In The Hollow Core:
Hollow core doors are usually made of plywood or fiberboard and tend to crack or break easily. If you notice a hole, consider replacing the entire door or hire painting services to paint the door to hide the patch. Before painting the door, spray insulation foam to fill the hole and allow it to dry overnight. The foam expands as it dries. Shave the excess foam above the hole with a blade and smoothen the patch with a vinyl coat. Next, sand the area with fine sandpaper and prime the entire surface. Now the door is ready to be painted.
Conclusion:
So, now you know all types of door issues after reading this article. You may be able to handle some minor issues like tightening loose connections. But for significant problems, call a Handyman in Corpus Christi, Texas, today! After all, a door is an integral element from a security, aesthetic and functional point of view and thus should not be ignored.Handyman in Corpus Christi, Texas, can also help select the right light fixtures for your home.
