Door adjustent needed

1499 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by SPS-1, Mar 2, 2016

harpua728

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2016

One of the top corners of my front door doesn't fully close and although it's not noticeable to the eye, cold air is coming through since it's sticking out and not fully flush against the weatherstrip.

When looking at the back of the front door from inside the house, the hinges are on the right and the side that is sticking out is to the left (i.e. the opposite side of the hinges).

I know that sometimes doors can be adjusted by simply adjusting the hinge screws but I haven't been able to eliminate this gap.

Are there are tips/tricks to fix this? Should I focus on any particular hinge?

Thanks

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jmon

· #2 · Feb 12, 2016

Is this front door on a slab or foundation?

Could just be something simple like the hinge screws came loose. Only takes a few minutes to check.

With door open, grab outside handle and inside handle then pick up and down on the door, look at the hinges see which one(s) are loose and tighten them down. Just a suggestion.

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jmon

· #3 · Feb 12, 2016

If it's wood that the screws are screwed into, sometimes the screw holes will be eaten out by the screw and become loose. If you can't tighten them down, try using some wood glue and wooden match sticks to take up gap in the hole and re-screw. Try the simple stuff first.

If the issue is settling, frost, or jamb/frame is out of square that's another issue.

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carpdad

· #4 · Feb 12, 2016

I think the door is warped, stop molding is not following the door, jamb may be uneven. Loose hinge is usually not a problem when the door is closed, but yours is. If the seal can be removed, I'd try pulling out the seal a bit and see if you have seal. If you can't see light, that may be as good as that door gets.

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TimPa

· #5 · Feb 15, 2016 (Edited)

was the door seal good during other seasons? can you see light through it?

hinge adjustments can be used to shift the door side to side/up and down. but not necessarily in and out.

I've seen where people add more weather stripping to the gapped area to seal off. if it is a very small amount, you can place a wooden block against the back of the door stop, near the gap, and give a few hammer raps. to shift it toward the door. then sink a couple of brads to secure it there.

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SeniorSitizen

· #6 · Feb 15, 2016

Remove the door and check it for flat.

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Mikeron

· #7 · Feb 16, 2016

The door frame could be cross legged. The simplest way to fix it is to get some more door stop and fill the gap.

Some door stop has weather strip built in.

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asgma

· #8 · Feb 25, 2016

jmon said:
If it's wood that the screws are screwed into, sometimes the screw holes will be eaten out by the screw and become loose. If you can't tighten them down, try using some wood glue and wooden match sticks to take up gap in the hole and re-screw. Try the simple stuff first.

If the issue is settling, frost, or jamb/frame is out of square that's another issue.

Can you suggest a type of wood glue or brand so I can just go directly to our nearest store and ask for it?

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SeniorSitizen

· #9 · Feb 25, 2016

asgma said:
Can you suggest a type of wood glue or brand so I can just go directly to our nearest store and ask for it?

Elmer's glue is in nearly every store, even in most grocery store/super markets, and works as well as any for indoor applications.

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ront02769

· #10 · Feb 26, 2016

Skip the elmer's since it is crap. Titebond III will do you just fine. Ron

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SeniorSitizen

· #11 · Feb 26, 2016

If you can't make a glue joint switch to kreg screws.

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realestatensb

· #12 · Mar 2, 2016

take a little piece of wood and beat over it with nail

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Gymschu

· #13 · Mar 2, 2016

realestatensb said:
take a little piece of wood and beat over it with nail

Huh? :surprise:

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SPS-1

· #14 · Mar 2, 2016

If you are having trouble eliminating the gap, replace the weatherstrip. When mounting the weatherstrip, just move it forward a little when you get to the top. The weatherstrip won't be so rigid that it won't bend a little.

All weatherstrip is not made alike. Don't just buy the first piece that the guy at the big box points you towards. Examine them all and select the one that's going to work best for your application.

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