An All-Inclusive List Of Door Repair Dos And Don'ts Door Repair Basics

Repairing a door is a simple and inexpensive project, or it can be more involved depending on the extent of damage the door has suffered. The most common places for damage to the door are hinges and locks.

Do some research prior to choosing a door repair. Check for references, the services offered and licenses as well as insurance.

Repairing Cracks

If you notice that hairline cracks appearing in the door frame, it can be alarming. It could be an indication of structural issues or that your door is at risk of falling into the elements. There are a few simple solutions that can prevent cracks from forming and getting more severe.


It is important to first thoroughly clean the crack. This will ensure that there isn't dirt or dust in the crack that will interfere with your later repairs. After that, let the crack dry completely. This usually takes about 30 minutes.

There are a variety of options to fix cracks in the door frame. Filler or wood putty are the best options for small cracks. These materials are simple to use and relatively inexpensive. However, the most effective method to repair a damaged area in a door is to make use of real wood. This is because the result will be a stronger, more durable repair that is less likely to break in time.

Once you've decided on the best material, apply it to the cracks in the door frame. Use a putty knife to spread the compound around each of the inside ridges of the crack. Use a small amount of compound at a time, and make sure to cover all the surface area of the cracks. Once the filler has dried and the surface is sanded, it is smooth.

Paint over the repaired cracks to hide them if you prefer. However, this is not always required, particularly if the cracks are small. When RepairMyWindowsAndDoors repair door cracks, the most important thing you should keep in mind is that you want the final result to be invisible. The aim is to create an impeccable finish that is not noticeable, even when viewed from close up.

You are likely to locate a high-quality product at your local hardware store to fix the cracks in your door frame. If the cracks are very large, you may need to use wood glue and wood splines to repair them.

Patching Hollow Core Doors

Hollow-core doors are more affordable than solid-wood ones and are commonly found in homes. However, they can be quite fragile and prone to damage. A hole in the front door can be created by a heavy punch or a powerful knock. Not only is it ugly, it can also have a negative impact on the efficiency of your home. It's simple to patch a hole in an hollow-core door with standard tools and materials.

Gather the following materials to begin:

A utility knife

Utility knives are required to clean the edges of the holes and aid in the application of the patching material. Cut a small bevel with the knife around the edge of the hole. This gives the patching material a larger surface area to stick to and stop it from peeling off in the future.

Refinishing a door

Even the best-crafted wooden doors can exhibit signs of wear as they get older. The exposure to fluctuating temperatures and humidity, the sun's harmful UV rays and other environmental elements can all harm a door's finish. If a wood door's finish begins to peel or blister It could be the right time to consider refinishing it. However, before you refinish your door, you'll be required to remove any hardware and store it somewhere safe.

After removing the finish, you'll need to sand down the wood in order to make it ready for staining. For flat surfaces you can use a palm or orbital sander. However, you'll need to be careful when scraping moldings and other details. It is recommended to sand with the grain and apply light, steady pressure to avoid damaging the wood. After sanding, wipe off any dust with either a microfiber or tack cloth to ensure that the wood surface is clean for your new stain coat.

It is crucial to select the right color for renovating doors. Some people use gel stain as an easy way to cover imperfections, but this kind of stain does not adhere well to exterior wood and will generally begin to flake within the first year.

After you have selected the stain you want to use, it is crucial to let the door dry for a few hours. Sand the surface between coats of varnish in order to get rid of any residue or oil, and smooth it out. Finally, you should make use of a natural-bristle broom to apply the spar urethane varnish and to achieve a smooth, even coat.

After the varnish has dried, you can reinstall any hardware you've removed. After the door has been reinstalled then you can polish it with wax-based or polyurethane polish to protect the wood and stop water damage from harsh weather conditions. If you regularly polish it your door will continue to look stunning for many years to be.

Replacing Hinges

The hinges on a door are an important part, but they can cause sagging or other issues. If your door has sagged or is difficult to open it is possible to replace the hinges to aid. Fortunately, you can do this without removing the frame of the door by unscrewing the old hinges and replacing them with new ones.

Begin by removing the screws from the hinges on the door jambs and hinge leaves. Then you can use a hammer and an chisel, to create an mortise in the wood where the hinges will be able to fit. The size of the mortise should roughly correspond to the thickness of hinge leaves. Test the hinges after creating the mortise to ensure that they are secure and comfortable. If the hinges do not fit, re-chisel until your hole is the right size.

Mark the screw holes of the hinges that are new on the jambs and the doors with the pencil after you have the hole drilled. You can use a screw guide as well to keep the screws straight as they are driven into. Then, drill pilot holes in the form of small holes through the marks. Then, insert the new hinges and secure them using a screwdriver or drill.

It's not necessary that the screw holes on the new hinges line up exactly with those on the door jamb however they must be close enough to match. The hinge plate will cover any holes that don't match precisely.

After you're done then put the door back in position and join it to the hinges by sliding in the hinge pins. Use wooden blocks for support while working on the door in case it's unstable. Then, take the blocks off and test the door to make sure it opens and closes properly. If it does, you're done!