How to Fix a Door That is Coming Apart

An old door that’s coming apart doesn’t necessarily require replacement; oftentimes, the issue can be easily remedied using only minimal tools and materials. Here is a straightforward step-by-step guide on how to return it to shape.

Begin by inspecting the door to ascertain why it is rubbing against its frame. If a loose hinge is to blame, tightening its screws may resolve it, but more work may be required for water-damaged or swelling frames.

Mark the area where your door rubs against its frame with a pencil. Remove hinges to access damaged areas; in some instances, it is easier to use a screwdriver to pry off rather than force one of them; this allows access to screws holding it in place as well as providing an opportunity to inspect for corrosion or looseness in its fixings.

If your door features a lever handle, look for the detent access hole or pin, usually located near its base and marked by a small round or rectangular hole or protruding pin. Pressing down on this pin with either a flathead screwdriver or an Allen wrench can depress it and release your handle from its socket; remove its base by loosening any set screws holding it together before reinserting. For extra safety, use a thread locker adhesive solution before reinserting.

Solid core doors may experience issues due to metal skin coming loose from its wooden and foam substrate, creating gaps along one side of the door. Tapping with a wood chisel may help. If gaps only appear along one side of the door, add shims between its frame and edge in order to fill this space; test the door and add more if necessary.

Hollow core doors may experience damage due to moisture seeping through unprotected edges or poorly installed trim or screws and nails securing it to its frame, becoming loose, compromising their structural integrity and leading to damage on their own.

Auto-body filler or spackle may be used to patch the area. Once dry, sand it smoothly before painting or staining it to match the rest of the door. Solid core doors may also be planned for smooth surfaces if their locks have problems, without needing special tools or skills to do it. Simply remove their hinges and place them on a workbench to do this task. While this may prove tricky at times, once done successfully, the door can be rehung without issue, and this method offers a much cheaper alternative than buying a new one and can even be completed within an hour!