Interior Door Won't Open? We've Got You Covered
Knowing how to repair an interior door that won't open or close can be useful in various situations. Buying a new door is an expense, so it's best to take care of your investment in the best way possible.
Previously, we discussed the questions to ask before changing your interior doors. Today, we want to explore whether there is a way to delay replacing your door. With a bit of time and willpower, it is often possible to achieve great results even in seemingly desperate situations.
The cases we will address are essentially two: when the door won't open or won't close.
How to Adjust a Door That Won't Open: How Is It Done?
First of all, you need to consider the tools you will use to repair a door that won't open.
Here is the necessary equipment for the most common cases:
- Screwdriver;
- Doorstop;
That said, let's describe some of the most frequent interventions. Before starting, we recommend that you work safely and as gently as possible to avoid worsening any existing damage.
Check for Hinge Malfunctions
If a door won't open, it may be that the problem is with the hinges not functioning correctly. The cause could be due to misaligned hinges, which, not being positioned correctly, fail to rotate the door properly.
In less severe cases, you can use a bit of lubricating oil to return the hinges to position and facilitate the movement of the door. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to remove the entire door and check the structural integrity of the hinges themselves.
Repairing Hinge Damage
In some cases, the problem may concern the hinge. After removing it (usually by unscrewing a few screws), inspect it carefully. If you notice bends or other deformations that alter the component's natural shape, it’s time to take action.
Ideally, you would have a press or a vise in which to place the hinge. Once secured, usually, a few gentle hammer taps are enough to straighten the component. This process should be repeated with all the hinges.
Aligning the Hinges
If the hinges are misaligned, it might be a good idea to realign them. First, position the door correctly, using a doorstop or some newspapers for support. Then, slowly unscrew and re-screw the hinges until the door stays parallel to the floor on its own.
Repairing a Door That Won't Close: The Necessary Steps
Repairing a door that won't close requires the same tools mentioned earlier. Besides a screwdriver and doorstop, it’s good to have a hammer at hand.
Again, we advise working gently and carefully. If you are not entirely sure of what you're doing, it’s better to stop and seek the help of an expert.
Tighten the Hinges
The simplest thing to do is to tighten the hinges. This may not completely solve the problem, but it is certainly a useful exercise to fix your door.
How do you do it? Just take a screwdriver and tighten the various hinges. Often, the problems of doors not closing are resolved by adjusting these components.
Readjust the Frame
The door may not close because – quite simply – the door hits the frame that has come out of place.
Repositioning the frame of an interior door is no joke. It requires a bit of manual skill and experience. In any case, one of the simplest solutions involves inserting strips of cardboard along the frame, on the latch side, to reduce the gap between the frame and the wall.
For Help and Information, Contact Porte Italiane!
As you can see, there are several ways to repair a door that won't open or close. In any case, as repeated multiple times, it's always best to act with caution and care to avoid any kind of damage.
If your door is too damaged to be repaired, you can check out our catalog of interior doors. Fip offers a rich selection of hinged doors, sliding doors, and glass panel doors.
For any information, feel free to call 0941 901172 or 0941 912335.
