[NewbDIY83]

Hi All,

So, I'm a total novice when it comes to home repair and home improvement. Recently, my wife forgot to remove the security chain that was attached to the front door trim and when she opened the door the chain pulled the door trim off and broke it in half.

I went to Home Depot and found the exact same trim, cut it, and started installing. After knocking in all the finishing nails, I started setting the nails using a nail set to hide them. One of the nails hit something but was too deep for me to pull out. I assumed it was a nail or something from the door jamb and it was deep enough where I could still hide it with spackling. However, I have been anxious about it since I finished the job.

Could I have hit a gas pipe, water pipe, or electrical wire? Would anything be installed that close to a door frame that a finishing nail from door trim/casing would hit it?

 

[Nealtw]

There are 2 studs beside the door, don't know what you hit but it is not a problem, maybe just a drywall screw.

 

[NewbDIY83]

Thanks for the reply.

So no way would there be anything dangerous there, right?

 

[Mystriss]

Highly unlikely. The way a door frame is constructed doesn't really leave room for anything "scary" to hit right next to it. A typical stud is 2.5-2.65 inches wide, so you've probably got a good 5+ inches of wood on either side of the door. Above the door is typically a header - stacked 2x6 to 2x12 so up there you've got at least 5" of wood.

The only thing that "might" be in that 5" perimeter would be security system stuff, typically that goes in the top corner on the side that opens. Something like a disk or square of plastic or metal on the frame with a disk or square on the door that lines up when the doors closed.

Once in a while someone will route a networking cable around the door, but that's typically visible under the molding you just replaced so you shoulda noticed it if it were there.

Only other thing in there is hinges and the door lock parts, typically metal and I suspect the door would feel a bit 'off' - closing or opening "differently" not locking properly etc.) if you did anything other than strengthen the lock heh

 

[hkstroud]

my wife forgot to remove the security chain that was attached to the front door trim and when she opened the door the chain pulled the door trim off and broke it in half.

She must have thought you were in there with your girlfriend.



You hit a nail between the door frame and the jack stud.