Liberty Doors Internal Oak Unfinished 1930’s DX 4P Door (IODX)
Struggling to get your internal doors to close properly? Don't worry—you're not alone! Many homeowners face similar issues, especially if the doors haven’t been touched in years or if you've moved into an older property. Whether your doors are springing open, sticking, dragging, or refusing to latch, we’ve got you covered with practical solutions to help you fix them.
Over time, doors can develop issues due to wear and tear, improper installation, or environmental factors like humidity and temperature changes. In this guide, we'll walk you through the most common reasons why doors behave erratically and provide step-by-step instructions to help you resolve these problems. By the end, you'll be able to enjoy smooth, functional doors without the hassle.
Table of Contents:
- How to Fix a Door That Springs Open
- How to Stop a Door From Hitting a Wall
- How to Fix a Door That Won’t Close Properly
- How to Fix a Door That Sticks
- How to Fix a Door That Doesn’t Latch Properly
- How to Fix a Door That Used to Close But Doesn’t Anymore
How to Fix a Door That Springs Open
Doors that keep swinging open can be frustrating, but the solution is often simpler than you might think. Start by inspecting the door and its surroundings to identify the root cause. Here are some common culprits:
Doorstop Moulding
Take a close look at the doorstop moulding around the frame. Sometimes, the door just needs a little adjustment to avoid catching on the moulding. Use a wood chisel to gently tap between the doorstop and the frame, or lightly sand down the moulding to create more clearance. This quick fix can save you the hassle of removing hinges.
Hinges
If the doorstop isn’t the issue, focus on the hinges. Deeply set hinges can push the door open immediately after closing, while worn-out hinges may cause slow or uneven opening. To fix this, carefully remove the door from its hinges. Have someone hold the door steady while you unscrew the hinges one by one. Next, cut pieces of cardboard to fit into the recesses where the hinges were, ensuring they don’t protrude too far. Reattach the hinges and tighten them securely. The extra clearance should help the door stay closed.
Bottom Clearance
If the bottom of your door rubs against the carpet or threshold, it might not have enough clearance. To fix this, measure the gap using a ruler or a sturdy piece of cardboard. Mark the measurement on the door and trim the excess material with a block plane. Once adjusted, reinstall the door for a seamless fit.
How to Stop a Door From Hitting a Wall
Does your door always bang into the wall when opened? This can lead to damage on both the wall and the door. Installing a doorstop is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent this from happening.
Choose a doorstop that matches your decor and attach it to the floor or skirting board. Most doorstops come with adhesive strips or screws for easy installation. With the doorstop in place, your door will only open as far as the rubber tip allows, protecting both the wall and the door's finish.
How to Fix a Door That Won’t Close Properly
When an internal door won’t close, it’s easy to assume the door itself is faulty, especially in older homes. However, most issues stem from improper alignment rather than the door itself. Here's what you need to know:
Door Jamb Out of Plumb
If your door swings shut, refuses to stay open, or moves unevenly when opened, your door jamb might be out of plumb. A door jamb is the vertical section of the door frame where the hinges and strike plate are mounted. If it’s misaligned, it can cause the door to hang crookedly and fail to close properly.
Over time, settling floors or walls can cause the jamb to shift slightly, leading to alignment issues. To check if your jamb is out of plumb, use a plumb line—a simple tool that consists of a weighted string. Hold the string against the upper hinge and observe whether it aligns with the hinges. If not, your jamb needs adjustment.
How to Test for Misalignment:
- Purchase a plumb line from any hardware store. It’s an affordable and essential tool for diagnosing door problems.
- Close the door and hold the plumb line against the upper hinge. Ensure the string is taut but not touching the hinges.
- Compare the plumb line with the hinges. If they don’t align, your jamb is out of plumb.
Adjusting Misaligned Hinges
If your hinges aren’t aligned, you can fix this by moving them slightly. The direction of the door’s movement will indicate which hinge needs adjustment:
- If the door swings closed when left open, move the top hinge closer to the doorstop or the bottom hinge further away.
- If the door swings open by itself, bring the hinges closer together.
Steps to Move Hinges:
- Gather tools such as a drill, screwdriver, and wood glue or toothpicks.
- Unscrew the hinges from their current positions and mark the new locations.
- Drill pilot holes for the new positions and fill the old holes with wood glue or toothpicks.
- Reattach the hinges in their adjusted positions.
Your door should now close smoothly!
How to Fix a Door That Sticks
Sticking doors can be caused by various factors, including warping, swelling, or improper installation. To address the issue, follow these steps:
- Check the Top Edge: If the top edge of the door rubs against the frame, it might be due to settling. Trim the door with a block plane to reduce the thickness.
- Latch-Side Gap: If the door sticks on the latch side, tighten the screws in the hinge plate. Warped holes may require replacement screws.
- Bottom Edge: For sticking at the bottom, remove the jamb and retighten it against the wall. The door will hang higher, preventing rubbing.
For more detailed guidance, check out our full guide on How To Fix A Door That Sticks.
How to Fix a Door That Doesn’t Latch Properly
Does your door fail to latch or stay closed? Replacing the latch set is a straightforward solution. Tubular latch sets are ideal for internal doors—they’re budget-friendly and easy to install.
Atlantic UK Tubular Latch Set
To replace the latch, unscrew the old one and install the new set. Alternatively, if the door has settled, use a small mill file to widen the strike plate hole to accommodate the latch. This saves time and effort compared to replacing the entire jamb.
How to Fix a Door That Used to Close But Doesn’t Anymore
Internal Oak Unfinished Trent 3P 1L Clear Glass Door (IOT3PG)
If your door used to close but now won’t, even after trying other fixes, it might be swollen due to moisture absorption. Solid wood doors are particularly prone to this issue. To prevent swelling, ensure your doors are sealed and maintained regularly.
Before trimming the door, inspect the frame to rule out any structural problems. If the frame checks out, trim the door’s lipping—usually a strip of solid wood around the edges—with a block plane. Removing a few millimeters can restore proper clearance.
Shop Stylish Internal Doors at Leader Doors
Transform your home’s interior with our stylish collection of internal doors at Leader. From classic oak designs to fully finished wood options, we offer a wide range of choices to suit your style. Unsure about what to pick? Contact our expert team for personalized advice.
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With these tips, you can tackle common door problems head-on and enjoy a smoother, more functional living space. Happy DIY-ing!
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