How to fix doors that don't close properly?
by
Pamela
+2
My sister has a few doors that do not close properly. I was able to.sand down the top of one door to assist in its closure. The heavy front door sticks at the upper right corner. You have to slam it shut and tug it open. The kitchen pantry door drags on the floor. That is a big problem.
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Have you tightened the hinge screws, especially the upper ones? if they are still loose you can take them out one at a time and replace with a longer screw and maybe a fatter screw.
If the hinge hole is completely stripped, you will have to take the door off, and I use a wooden dowel the diameter size of the hole, cut off a piece a bit longer than the screw, glue in place with carpenter's glue, let dry and then rehang door.
Sometimes this time of the year, just rubbing a bar of soap along the sticking area helps, or a piece of wax.
Check if the screws need tightening on the doors and jambs. Usually the screws are only about 1 1/2" long. The weight of the door and continued use can loosen them. What I have done is remove two screws from each hinge on the jamb side and replace them with 2" to 3" screws.
Sounds as if there may have been movement to the foundations ??
It wouldn't hurt to oil all the hinges (or use graphite). Use dust busters to keep out drafts. Trim (plane) as little little as possible. A house often shifts with the seasons. š
Yes. Decades ago the house did have some structure problems. The basement has been braced with Jacks. That was done a long time ago. The door in the kitchen almost sits on the floor causing a scuff mark. Barely any clearance under the door. Should the door be saw or sandpapered?