Bathroom door always wants to close - Help?

ldacpano · 02-18-2006, 02:51 PM

I have a bathroom door that always wants to close. It can never stay in one position. What do I need to do in order for it to be balanced and stay in the position I put it in? Thanks again guys.
Lionel

sendflowers · 02-18-2006, 03:47 PM

Have you tried replacing the hindges with some heavier ones.

mcruickshank · 02-18-2006, 04:33 PM

A door, that does not stay in the position it was left in, is out of plumb. That means that the pins in the hinges are not located plumb with each other. Sometimes this is matter of loose screws on a hinge. Check that first. On that note, a door that swings close usually means the bottom hinge is loose and the door that swings open usually means the top hinge is loose. If the hinges are both tight, then the door was never hung correctly to begin with. This can be fixed by moving the hinges, but moving the hinges might cause other problems like the door won't close flush anymore. Start by putting a level on the hinge side of the door when the door is open perpendicular to the wall (the part that the hinges screw into). You may notice that the top of the door leans towards the jamb. If it is not plumb then you can move a hinge or both. Getting the two hinges in plumb with each other means moving the top hinge out or the bottom hinge in on the door jamb. If it is plumb with the door perpendicular to the wall, then you can probably fix the problem by shiming behind a hinge Open the door all the way and then check it with a level. Add a shim behind where the hinge attaches to the door jamb to get it level. Again this is putting a band-aid on the real problem. To get this absolutely correct, you should remove the trim around the door jamb and re-hang the door. But a little bit of hinge moving might do the trick.

My explanation may be confusing to read. If you have any questions just respond with more questions.

Good luck,
Average Guy
http://www.averageguydiy.com

Teetorbilt · 02-18-2006, 08:34 PM

mc has walked you through corrective procedures quite well. You're out of plumb.

MichSnoBird2 · 02-18-2006, 08:39 PM

If the door is just slightly out of plumb--remove 1 hinge pin. Lay it flat on a hard surfice--hit hard with a hammer on the side of the pin to put a small bend in. Replace pin and the friction helps stop the swing.

ldacpano · 02-19-2006, 01:33 AM

Thanks guys. Worked like a charm. I'm glad to be a part of this board!

JMcDon1007 · 04-06-2012, 08:34 AM

Idacpano,

What did you end up doing to fix the problem? Was it bending one of the pins or did you move one of the hinges?

Thanks.

-John

LJonny · 10-03-2012, 05:57 PM

Ha ha... yeah, had two doors that have been driving me crazy for a couple of years now, always trying to close themselves. So I did the bent hinge pin suggestion, seems to be working, for now.

anjaleena · 10-08-2012, 03:42 AM

well I have a problem with the hinges. It makes a very weird sound, specially at night I get scared.Is there a solution to it?

02-18-2006, 02:51 PM	#1
ldacpano Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2	Bathroom door always wants to close - Help? I have a bathroom door that always wants to close. It can never stay in one position. What do I need to do in order for it to be balanced and stay in the position I put it in? Thanks again guys. Lionel

02-18-2006, 03:47 PM	#2
sendflowers Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5	Bathroom door always wants to close - Help? Have you tried replacing the hindges with some heavier ones.

02-18-2006, 04:33 PM	#3
mcruickshank Average Guy Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9	Bathroom door always wants to close - Help? A door, that does not stay in the position it was left in, is out of plumb. That means that the pins in the hinges are not located plumb with each other. Sometimes this is matter of loose screws on a hinge. Check that first. On that note, a door that swings close usually means the bottom hinge is loose and the door that swings open usually means the top hinge is loose. If the hinges are both tight, then the door was never hung correctly to begin with. This can be fixed by moving the hinges, but moving the hinges might cause other problems like the door won't close flush anymore. Start by putting a level on the hinge side of the door when the door is open perpendicular to the wall (the part that the hinges screw into). You may notice that the top of the door leans towards the jamb. If it is not plumb then you can move a hinge or both. Getting the two hinges in plumb with each other means moving the top hinge out or the bottom hinge in on the door jamb. If it is plumb with the door perpendicular to the wall, then you can probably fix the problem by shiming behind a hinge Open the door all the way and then check it with a level. Add a shim behind where the hinge attaches to the door jamb to get it level. Again this is putting a band-aid on the real problem. To get this absolutely correct, you should remove the trim around the door jamb and re-hang the door. But a little bit of hinge moving might do the trick. My explanation may be confusing to read. If you have any questions just respond with more questions. Good luck, Average Guy http://www.averageguydiy.com

02-18-2006, 08:34 PM	#4
Teetorbilt Contractor Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jensen Beach, FL Posts: 835	Bathroom door always wants to close - Help? mc has walked you through corrective procedures quite well. You're out of plumb.

02-18-2006, 08:39 PM	#5
MichSnoBird2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2	Bathroom door always wants to close - Help? If the door is just slightly out of plumb--remove 1 hinge pin. Lay it flat on a hard surfice--hit hard with a hammer on the side of the pin to put a small bend in. Replace pin and the friction helps stop the swing.

Bathroom door always wants to close - Help?