Doors that won’t close properly may compromise of your property and can affect the security and energy efficiency. There are several factors that can cause this common issue and can easily diagnosed and be fixed.
Here are 5 common reasons why your door might not be closing and how you can fix them:
Loose or Misaligned Hinges
Over time the screws in your door hinges may loosen out because of the constant weight and movement which can cause the door to hang unevenly and preventing it from closing properly.
Fix: Take a screwdriver and tighten the screws on the hinges and if the screws are no longer grip because the holes have become too large try to replace them with slightly larger screws or filling the holes with some wood filler.
Swollen Door From Humidity
Wooden doors can swell in high humidity causing them to stick against the door frame and not close easily. This is a common problem in areas with significant seasonal humidity changes.
Fix: If the swelling is minor sanding down the areas where the door sticks to the frame can help. For more severe cases a dehumidifier in the room can reduce moisture levels and potentially returning the door to its normal size.
Misaligned Strike Plate
The strike plate is where the door latch catches to keep the door closed, if it is misaligned the latch won’t fit properly into the hole and prevent the door from closing.
Fix: Loosen the screws of the strike plate and adjust its position so the latch can easily fit into the hole, in some cases you will need to enlarge the hole or reposition it entirely.
Bent Door or Warped Frame
Sometimes doors or frames can bend or shift and it can absolutely prevent the door from fitting correctly within the frame.
Fix: In slight distortion adjusting the hinges as mentioned earlier might help but in more severe situations the door and the frame may need to be replaced.
Blocked Door Path
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct one. A blocked door path which can happen because of heavy dirt or even rug scraps can prevent the door from closing.
Fix: Ensure the path of the door is clear remove any debris and make sure that rugs or mats are not disturbing the door movement.
If these fixes don’t solve the problem or if you’re not able to perform them yourself, it might be time to call a professional who can diagnose and solve these issues that might prevent your door from closing properly.
