How to fix a closet door that won't stay closed?
My bedroom closet door stays open about 6 inches no matter what I've tried. My bathroom door keeps closing shut on it's own too. What can I do to fix the door frame so it won't do this?
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How to fix a door that won't stay open?
My bathroom door will not stay open. Can someone tell me either how to fix the door frame or its hinges to keep it open?
The door is no longer plumb in both cases. Here's a link with some 'fixes':
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/stop-door-closing-25099.html
You need to shim a hinge. Try adding a piece of cardboard behind either the top or bottom hinge. It's trial and error as to which one works. You'll have to remove one side of the hinge to put the cardboard behind and run the screws thru it. I usually do the door frame side.
Remove one of the hinge pins. If door has three the center one. If two the top one. Lay it down on a hard surface and tap it with a hammer. Replace the pin in the hinge. The slight bend will prevent "ghost" opening or closing.
I have a similar closet door. In my case, the latch was not correctly lined up with the strike plate on the door frame, preventing the latch from catching. If this is the problem, it's easy to remove the strike plate and move it slightly to catch the latch, or to carve out the wood a little more for the latch to seat.
It's likely that the door is not quite level. Sometimes a very small adjustment of the screws in the hinge plates can make a difference. Just unscrew or screw tighter and test. It make take a few tries to get it just right but well worth the effort.
Hello Darlene,
Check if the floor is level by using a spirit level on a plank of wood!
More than likely it is the striker plate that is out of alignment with the door latch. Take a hammer and screwdriver and tap the small metal tab inside the plate toward the door, this opens up the hole so the bolt can latch into the plate.
If this does not work, then you'll need to adjust the hinges.
Darlene: if you're pretty sure it's not ghosts, try merely taking off door and putting it back on... minor adjust like this may help -- and it's free.
Here's a video that might help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTN1bwcas-M
If the door isn't too heavy, and you aren't comfortable with adjusting the placement of the hinges you can get magnetic cabinet latches, similar to the link I left. That probably won't work for the bathroom door, a temporary fix might be a decorative door stop
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Home-Cabinet-Cupboard-Door-2-x-0-8-x-0-5-Magnetic-Catch-Latch-Set-3-Pcs/47780136?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=571&adid=22222222227035008804&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=75432837634&wl4=pla-175389000034&wl5=9024531&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111838760&wl11=online&wl12=47780136&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5aSyuffJ6AIVJIVaBR1U-gVMEAQYASABEgLrvvD_BwE
They sound like they are not level. You can adjust the hinges but it isn't an easy thing to do.
Sounds like you could have some house settling and walls/door frames have gone out of plumb. Some minor adjustments like those above, or through an online search, could help.
This video should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vAZGh948PQ
Your closet door can probably be resolved with a magnetic latch easier than anything else.
Your bathroom door is probably a swelling issue. The door & jamb have both most likely absorbed moisture from all those steamy showers or lazy bathes. The fix for that is an old fashioned wood plane taken to the edges of the door. A few passes can take you down a 1/4", then a fresh coat of paint (or water sealant).
Now, that fixes where you are at, but doesn't stop your bathroom door from swelling again.
Consider upgrading your exhaust fan. Our old builder's basic left us with mold after we upgraded the shower. So we recently doubled our (air) output, halved our (noise) volume, & reduced electrical need for $150, & that was a lighted combo unit.
Fan only models are obviously cheaper. Fancier ones with speakers, heaters, or lighting effects are just as obviously more costly. Measure what you have & try to get something of similar size, but you can usually widen the hole pretty easily. We had to brace with some scrap wood because the new one was almost 2 inches narrower.
Lol I would put a rubber band to hold the handles closed together.
Might be redundant, but did you check the hinges???
I would adjust the door hinges. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81MhVrRalW0