You may encounter problems with new and old doors. Trouble often arises when interior or exterior doors become warped. This can make it difficult to open and close them. Most common door problems are caused by worn hinges or improper installation.
Problems can stem from a lack of lubrication to worn hinges. They can cause inconvenience and irritation. If you face difficulties with one or more doors, we are glad to help you with our guide. Here we’ll take a look at the most common door problems and provide effective solutions to cope with them. Contact experts or try simple repairs to save money.
Sticking Doors
When doors don't open or close properly, it's a big problem for everyone. There are several reasons why doors can get stuck in the door frame. Here are the most common ones:
- Loose hardware. If hardware parts, such as locks or handles, have become unreliable, it can cause the door to get stuck.
- Sagging frame. If the frame of the door is shifted or sagging, it can also make it difficult to open and close.
- Hinge issues. If the hinges are dirty or outdated, they can start to seize up, making it difficult to move the door.
- Humidity. High humidity can penetrate the wood, causing it to swell. This leads to the fact that the door cannot open or close properly.
But how to stop door from sticking? To save time, inspect the door before you start fixing the issues by trial and error. Check the inside part of the frame and the outside part of the door for scratched paint or worn edges. This may indicate where the door is jamming or rubbing. If you can't visually identify problem areas, run your hand over the wood to find dents.
By identifying where the door is stuck, you can narrow down the list of possible causes of the problem. If the door is stuck at the top of the frame, it is most likely due to loose hinges or sagging frame. If the door is stuck in the middle of the frame, it may be due to a loose latch bar. The door sticking in another part of the frame may be caused by swelling due to high humidity.
Also, check the hinges, strike plate, screws, and door frame. Look for defects like a bent strike plate or a warped frame.
Misaligned Doors
Misalignment is one of the common door problems. For example, if the plates at the bottom of the door are misaligned, you will face trouble fitting the door to the door stop. Adjust the door jambs to solve this. The hinge or latch side should be a single plane. To fix door alignment, you should use the instructions for adjusting the hinges.
Another way to solve this problem is to use a block and hammer. Tap lightly on the top of the jamb to move the top of the door after you have secured the latch with side brackets to the wall. That's often enough to fix door alignment.
Squeaky Hinges
Squeaky hinges on interior or exterior doors can be uncomfortable. Sometimes, to repair squeaky hinges, it is enough to use lubricant, but there are cases when it does not help. To determine the cause of the squeak, you should first check the condition and amount of the grease. Over time, the grease can thicken, spread, or dry out. If this problem is not fixed, the fittings will wear out. This can cause breakage and loss of functionality.
To repair squeaky hinges, it's often not enough to use grease, especially if the squeak is caused by corrosion. Rust can invisibly damage door hardware. In this case, you need to replace the hinges completely.
Another reason for the unpleasant sound is dust and dirt getting into the hinges. Before applying the lubricant, clean the hinges from these contaminants.
To lubricate the hinges, it is best to use specialized lubricants such as WD-40 or silicone spray. WD-40 removes rust and reduces friction. Silicone spray lubricates, lasts long, and leaves no residue.
Drafty Doors
A room becomes uncomfortable to live in when it’s too cold. This can also raise your heating bills. If the door doesn't close tightly, you must use the heat or AC more to keep the room at the right temperature.
To eliminate drafts, try drafty door solutions, such as installing seals. But first, you need to find out where the drafts are coming from. Most often, the problem lies in worn seals or in the fact that the door does not fit tightly to the frame.
Here are some steps to fix the issues:
- Replace or add seals: Usually, new or more seals will help prevent heat or cold loss.
- Check the door fit: Ensure that the door fits tightly inside the frame.
If these solutions do not help, consider replacing the door with a new one. Artan provides the best drafty door solutions.
Door Lock Problems
A high-quality door lock will usually open and close without problems. But even the best systems are not perfect. Sometimes issues can occur. If your lock breaks or the key gets stuck, avoid rushing to take extreme measures like breaking in. If you have issues with the lock, check out the various door lock repair tips to quickly fix the problem. You can usually solve the problem yourself or with the help of a professional.
A door lock can break for several reasons. These include: clogging the keyhole, lack of maintenance, and deformed doors. Also, mechanical impact on the lock, its misuse, and factory defects are not the only reasons. In any case, a lock breakdown is always a cause for concern. But often, you can solve it yourself, for example, by cleaning the mechanism.
If your attempts fail, contact a specialist. If a serious breakdown occurs, you may need to replace the lock. We do not recommend performing this on your own. Contact a specialist to reduce costs and damage.
Door lock repair tips will help you prevent problems.Regular lock maintenance, such as cleaning and lubrication, can prevent many issues. Magnetic strips also help protect the lock from outside debris. It is best to contact a specialist to keep your door and lock in good condition.
Broken Door Handles
There can be various reasons why a door handle can fail. This can happen due to wear and tear on the mechanism, which becomes more likely over time. Incorrect installation can also lead to breakdown. Low-quality materials in the handle can cause it to break even under minimal loads.
In any case, it is important to know the correct methods for repairing or replacing it. Timely repairs will help you avoid a complete replacement. Choosing the right new handle is important. High-quality fittings will last a long time and be reliable.
If the door handle is broken, pay attention to these simple ways to fix a broken door handle. It is worth noting that one of the common door problems with handles is the jamming of the lock. This is one of those situations where immediate repairs are required. Artan specialists will replace the handle as soon as possible. Trust us with a broken door handle fix and you will be happy with the result.
Sliding Door Problems
Noise in the sliding door mechanism is a very annoying issue. The noise may occur due to door friction. It means that the mechanism needs more lubrication. If cleaning and lubricating do not fix the squeak, the rollers may be the issue. Sliding door track repair is a rather complex type of work. Therefore, it is worth seeking the help of specialists.
It is also possible that the door does not open at all. In this case, the reason may be uneven construction, causing the door to be skewed. This may be due to a broken wheel pin or bearing. If the door gets stuck, you should pay attention to the tips, how to stop door from sticking. If the wheels are damaged, the door will not move smoothly, and you will need to replace them. In any case, you shouldn't do the sliding door track repair on your own — contact a specialist.
Conclusion.
Ignoring the rules of operation is often the main cause of door breakage. Do not hang heavy objects on the handle. Do not leave the door open for a long time. Do not allow a draft to close the door against the frame. This can lead to difficulties opening and closing the door over time. Regular maintenance of the structure is vital for the entrance door's long life. This includes checking the mechanisms and cleaning and lubricating the hinges. Learn how to solve the most common door problems in your home yourself with the help of instructions available on the Internet. But if something more serious happens to your door, do not repair it on your own, contact Artan.