Large gap between door frame and jamb

fstr · 01-02-2013, 09:59 AM

I am re-doing the master bedroom (molding and paint) and I removed the casings around a door leading from the MB to a kind-of sitting room off the MB. It seems previously it was just a finished opening between the rooms and a door was later installed in the opening.
Problem is, the gap between the opening and the jamb is rather large: ~2" on the hinge side and ~1.5" on the other side. And about 2" above.
Keep in mind the old opening also had 1/2" drywall. That makes up to 2.5" between the studs and the jamb!
The person that installed the door used 3 small wood blocks on the 2"-gap side as nailers. But the blocks are nailed to the frame and are not wide enough and the jamb does not touch the blocks.

The wall the door is in is a load bearing wall and a few of the doors on the upstairs level (including this door) have "tweaked" enough to cause cracks/creases in the drywall. The house is 30 years old and through all the repairs I have done in the year since we moved in I know everything was done at or below minimum code when the house was built.

What are my options? Should I just install new casings and pretend I did not see anything?

joecaption · 01-02-2013, 12:49 PM

Got a picture.
Why not just add some 2 X4's to make the rough opening smaller?

fstr · 01-02-2013, 01:26 PM

I would have to remove the door and jamb to be able to get 2x4s in there. Before I go down that road I want to be sure its needed (sure could use a structural engineering degree right now

)

fstr · 01-02-2013, 01:30 PM

I would have to remove the door and jamb to be able to get 2x4s in there. Before I go down that road I want to be sure its needed (sure could use a structural engineering degree right now

)

fstr · 01-02-2013, 02:16 PM

I would have to remove the door and jamb to be able to get 2x4s in there. Before I go down that road I want to be sure its needed (sure could use a structural engineering degree right now

)

fstr · 01-02-2013, 02:18 PM

I would have to remove the door and jamb to be able to get 2x4s in there. Before I go down that road I want to be sure its needed (sure could use a structural engineering degree right now

)

DannyT · 01-02-2013, 02:44 PM

but you have the casing off already. if you want to fix it right then take the jamb out and add the 2/4's then you can install the door correctly. if it was an opening before then therre should be no structural issues. if you want the door hung properly then add the 2/4's.

joecaption · 01-02-2013, 02:47 PM

You already have done the hard part, why not fix it right?

funfool · 01-02-2013, 03:06 PM

Want a quick fix?
I may get beat up here for suggesting a hack.
If the door works fine as is, and opens ...closes ... the only problem is you know it does not have 4" screws in the hinges to hold it proper. Which you could add.
And myself, would just take a sawzall and cut the nails out of the jamb and fur it out as suggested. Re hang the door.

You could get a $4 can of great stuff foam insulation and fill the gaps on sides and top.
Will glue that frame so tight, you could slam the door all you want and jambs will not move. Is it a hack? Sure it is... does it work? yup.

DexterII · 01-02-2013, 03:29 PM

The first thing that I would do is see whether the header is resting on a stud on either side of the opening, or not. If not, then it's pretty much a no brainer; pull the door out, install the jack studs, and reinstall the door. If the header is already supported, it's your choice.

pro handyman · 01-02-2013, 03:42 PM

If I'm reading this right your having some flex with door and above floor door? That would tell me there isn't a proper header there and it all needs to be redone.

fstr · 01-02-2013, 03:44 PM

Great stuff foam was my first impulse, then I thought to come get opinions first!

The header is supported by jack studs. It's the first thing I checked...

fstr · 01-02-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro handyman

If I'm reading this right your having some flex with door and above floor door? That would tell me there isn't a proper header there and it all needs to be redone.

I cant quite figure it out. There is a crease in the drywall above the door running out from the door corner up and to the side. But now with the casing removed I can see the header is supported with jack studs. Additionally the door is plumb in the jamb and level. I'm guessing the opening had problems prior to the door being installed.

funfool · 01-02-2013, 04:31 PM

It really does depend on your skills and tool you have.
It is easy for me to sit here and say I would pull the frame and re-install it correctly.
And is still the best advice.
But if you do not have a sawzall, air compressor, finish guns, etc ...
Maybe it would only open a can of worms. Maybe the door works fine as is and just concerned about the drywall cracking?

A professional drywaller will bridge the door frame with drywall and will prevent cracks from the edge of the door frame going up the side of the header. Will be no drywall seam in that area.

Your issue really sounds like a poor drywall job then a bad door .. or both

Would be better to make a post in drywall then carpentry for the cracking and proper ways to fix it.

pro handyman · 01-02-2013, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstr

I cant quite figure it out. There is a crease in the drywall above the door running out from the door corner up and to the side. But now with the casing removed I can see the header is supported with jack studs. Additionally the door is plumb in the jamb and level. I'm guessing the opening had problems prior to the door being installed.

sounds to me like there isn't a proper header there. What I would do is remove drywall above door frame and see what the header is on a second story the headers need to be at least 2x10's with half inch plywood sandwiched in the middle.