How to Fix 3 Common Door Problems
Much like everything else in our homes, doors can suffer wear and tear over time. Although regular maintenance will help to preserve your doors, there’s still a high chance that you’ll have to step in from time to time to fix up some minor issues here and there.
The good news is that most common door problems can be fixed pretty easily with just a little know-how and expertise. Here are 3 of the most common door problems that our clients encounter on a regular basis, and our tips for how you can fix them in no time at all.
Problem #1: Loose Screws on Hinge
Although loose screws on a hinge may just seem like a minor inconvenience, they can actually become dangerous if left unchecked for too long. Loose screws on a hinge can mean that the door is at risk of falling off, so it’s best to address this issue as soon as possible. Luckily, it’s usually an easy fix. Here’s one way to address this common problem.
What you’ll need:
⦁ A power drill
⦁ Matchsticks
⦁ Glue
Step 1: Take the screw out
Using your power drill, take the screw or screws out of the door hinge.
Step 2: Plug the hole using glue
Now that the screw is out, you will want to plug the hole. An easy way to do this is by using matchsticks and glue. Dip the matchsticks in some glue and plug the matchsticks in the hole. You will want the glue to become tacky and to form a plug inside the hole.
Step 3: Pull the matchsticks out and let glue dry off
Gently pull away the matchsticks from the recess, leaving the glue in the hole. Once the matchsticks have been removed, let the glue dry off. This can take anywhere between a few minutes to over an hour, so read the manufacturing instructions of your glue to be sure.
Step 4: Redrill the screw back into the hole
Once the glue has dried off, redrill the screw back into the hole. You should find that with the support of the glue, the screw now is able to stay tight and secure.
Problem #2: Screw Stuck in Door Hinge
Whether it’s because they’ve been painted over one too many times or because they’ve rusted over time, screws can become stuck in a door hinge for many reasons. Here’s one trick you can try to unscrew a stuck screw from a door hinge.
What you’ll need:
⦁ Power drill
⦁ Wide rubber band
Step 1: Place rubber band over screw head
Place a wide rubber band over the screw head so that the surface of the rubber band is covering the surface of the screw head. You’ll want to use a wider rubber band for this job so that it is able to cover the entire surface. Sewing elastics can also work in a pinch, too.
Step 2: Push drill hard into the rubberband and unscrew
Push the drill hard into the rubberband and begin to unscrew the screw using your power tool. If you push down hard enough with the drill, the screw should slowly start to loosen out. The rubber band will provide the grip and tension required to remove, or at least loosen, the screw.
Problem #3: Door Won’t Shut Properly
There’s nothing more annoying than a door that won’t shut properly. In the winter months, this can mean letting in a cold draft; and in the summer months, it can mean letting in unwanted bugs and insects. Oftentimes, a door not shutting properly comes down to a faulty striker plate. The door is likely stopping short of the striker plate, meaning that the latch can’t catch on to anything. Here’s one way you can attempt to fix this very common problem.
What you’ll need:
⦁ Power drill
⦁ Metal file
Step 1: Unscrew striker plate from door frame
Remove the striker plate off of the door frame using a power drill.
Step 2: File down front section of striker plate
File down the front section of the striker plate using a metal file. These tools can easily be found at your local Bunnings or hardware store. Essentially, you’ll want to create more space in the plate’s hole so that the door will be able to latch on.
Step 3: Rescrew striker plate to door frame
Now that the striker plate has been filed down, you can rescrew the striker plate back to the door frame. Do this in the same way that you removed the plate. Using your power drill, carefully screw the plate back onto the frame until it’s tightly fixed in place.
The next time you run into any one of these common door problems, why not give our tips and tricks a go! But if you’re ever in need of some more specialised help, our team of experts would love to be of assistance.
Every single one of our Australian and New Zealand franchisees are fully insured and police checked, so you can be confident that your property is in safe and secure hands. If you need some help around the house, call Jim’s Handyman today on 13 15 46 for an obligation-free quote.
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