Circa the 1940s, the door to my condo is huge, heavy and admittedly not the right weight for the door frame. Until our association decides to change this, however, we have to deal with slamming doors due to hinges being knocked off-kilter, and the door adjusting out of its frame. However, we can use an inexpensive and easy trick to save the door and frame, and avoid nasty complaints from crazy downstairs neighbors. No one in particular.
For this project, you will need:
1. Toothpicks
2. A screwdriver that matches your screws, I used a flathead.
Instructions:
1. Examine your door and figure out which hinge is giving you the problem. It is most likely the top one--gravity! You can see from the cracks in the paint that the top hinge on my door is sagging.
2. Open the door, and remove the screws in that hinge. Clean any debris away, and grab your toothpicks. Break off a piece that is long enough to fit all the way to the back of the hole. Place it in the hole. [You can also put some wood glue to the opening as well but it is not necessary for a quick fix].
3. After placing your toothpick inside, place the screw back into the hole and screw it all the way in. If the screw continues to spin and spin, put another toothpick or longer piece of one inside.
4. Once you've completed all of the screws, break any pieces of toothpick that are sticking out, and test your door. It should open and close flawlessly!
(Images by Andie Powers).
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Old Trick, but Works!
You can also use wooden matches and set them w. Elmers glue.
This trick also works for wood chair/table legs that have come loose.
Wow... just... wow. If this works I will be so incredibly thankful - I have this problem with multiple doors and figured that fixing it would require replacing the entire door frame. I'm trying this!
We have a major door slamming problem in our building. We are the "crazy neighbors" who complain. (I mean, come on, you don't have to let your door slam 4 consecutive times at 6:00 in the morning...). Can't wait to go home and try this on our own door, although our building is so old and paint-encrusted, I worry we won't be able to get the screws out.
My father told me about this trick years ago and I use it a lot. The other thing for heavy doors? Replace two of the short screws with longer ones, especially the top hinge but at least one on all hinges going into the frame. Thanks for this!
@calldoctorbison Even with your door slamming complaints, I quite doubt that you could come near the amount of crazy that is going on downstairs from us. :)
I think I saw this trick on AT a long time ago, and it fixed our front door problem! We also just used it to repair the legs of a 60-year-old child's table & chair handmade by my grandfather...that my kid managed to wiggle loose. Great tip!
I live in a condo and I replaced my own door. Does the HOA where you live provide that service as well as the cost? All we had to do is paint the door the same color as the rest...I didn't have the problem you were having...I need the door replaced because I had to break into my own home and cracked the door. It needed replacing anyway but this just had me do it earlier than expected.
Great tip btw.
What to do about a neighbor who slams her door shut 'just because'? The doors are new and lightweight steel frame doors. *sigh* Thankfully she's retired and doesn't slam her door in the morning or at night but still, if I am at home I *notice*, it rattles my entire unit :/
Way back in the 40's, all you had were solid, heavy and well built doors, made of solid hardwood. Today, you have solidish, heavy and poorly built doors made of particle board and veneer. The biggest problem with the old doors has to do with the hinges, namely, number and placement.
Number:back then as now, 3 hinges are the norm. But for more even stress loading on the door frame, 4 is better. Besides, hinges usually come in pairs, so use them.
Placement: There should be more hinges on the top half of the door than the bottom half, if using 3 hinges. The top and bottom hinges in their standard location, but the middle hinge should be roughly 2/3 up. You'll have more weight bearing capacity where you need it and it lessens the load on each upper section hinge. The downside is aesthetic, as the hinges are not symmetrical. But you get used to it.
Glad to know we're not alone. Our neighbors are such overzealous door slammers that I've reached the conclusion that they are bringing their garbage out one piece at a time. And walking their dog 10 times a day.
Thank you for this!!! You just saved me $$$ as I was thinking I had to replace at least one interior door (i had tightened the screws and it almost didnt even close anymore without a shove). Tried this today and voila, all fixed!!
I will try this with my bathroom door. I removed it back in June when I put in the new floor, and when I re-hung it, even though all the screws seem tight, it doesn't close properly without some extra force. Hope it works!
Thank you for this!! i will make it in my house
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I commented yesterday that the screws are way to short to hold the door, and my comment was removed. The censorship on AT is getting way too ridiculous.
that is very helpful info. thanks for the tips!
I just want to know where I can get a coat like that, or what brand they are. (seen in entryway photo). I am very particular and both of them seem right up my alley. Anyone know?