3 easy fixes for doors that won't close properly

Whether because it's old and warped or improperly installed, applying too much force to open and close a door will shorten its life and that of the door frame. Here are some easy fixes for common door problems you can do yourself.

When a door is hard to close or open, very likely the problem is the hinges need adjustment.

• Badly fitted hinges are a common cause of door problems.
• A door that springs open and is hard to close is termed "hinge-bound."
• Hinge-bound means the hinges are recessed too deeply into the door or frame. As such, the door and frame make contact before the door is fully closed so the two parts of the hinge can't come together properly. This puts a strain on the hinge and can loosen the fixing screws.

To fix the issue

Remove the hinge screws from the top hinge, then insert one or more layers of cardboard (cut to the same size as the hinge plate) into the recess cut for the hinge plate.

• After you have packed out the space, screw the hinge back on. You may need to use a slightly longer screw to bite into the wood. Do this for each hinge in turn to fix the door's action. You should not need to completely remove the door.

If the top corner of the door farthest from the hinges rubs on the top inside part of the frame as it closes, try packing out just the top hinge – this will lower the corner.

Check that the screws used to secure the hinges sit flush with the surface of the hinge plates.

• If screws with too large heads have been used, the hinge won't be able to close fully and you'll have the same problem occurring.

Old houses and doors aren't always completely square. With time, the frame of a house may sag or slope. The result? Doors that won't stay shut and mysteriously swing open no matter how hard you try to fix them.

To fix the issue

First, bend the hinge pin slightly to keep it in place. To do this:

• Simply remove one of the hinge pins by tapping the head from below.
• Next, lay it across a nail or screw, and tap the pin with a hammer to give it a tiny kink.
• Lastly, reinsert the pin by tapping with a hammer. The extra friction should prevent the door from opening.

Be careful not to "overbend" the pin. A slight kink should do it. Otherwise, you risk that the pin won't fit back into the hinge. Then, you'll have another problem to deal with!

A door that's loose may rub on the floor, against a carpet, or along the upper vertical edge of the door jamb. Whatever the cause, it makes opening and closing the door a real production. Tighten up the hinges

To fix the issue

First, check to see if the screws securing the hinges are loose. If so, tighten them up.

• Loose hinges may cause a door rub on the floor or carpet.

If the source of the sag seems to be that the screws have lost their grip on the wood, first remove them.

• Push one or two matchsticks, dipped in white glue (or wood glue), into the screw holes and trim the matchsticks flush to the wood with a craft knife.
• Allow the glue to set before driving the screws back in. They'll now have some fresh wood to secure their grip.

Loose door handle instead?

• You can use the same technique to pack out screw holes on loose door handles too.

Not every sagging, stuck or hard-to-close door is a quick repair. However, sometimes the solution to the most common problems that plague doors (and you) is easy enough for you to fix without having to call a door installation specialist or contractor.