6 Common Exterior Door Problems

Chances are that you have experienced exterior door problems. They may only occur once in a while, or they may be persistent. In either case, they are very annoying at best. At worst, they could even compromise your security. Fortunately, a carpenter in Scarborough can help you to resolve the problems that affect exterior doors. Here are some of the most common issues that you may encounter as well as possible causes.

1. Hitting the Wall

A common problem is for the door to swing open with too much vigour and hit the wall behind it. This can damage the paint and potentially the drywall. Resolving this problem doesn’t necessarily require any repairs to the door itself. The most common fix is to install a doorstop behind the door. This is often a coil of wire with a rubber tip at the end installed at the baseboard. Another option is to install a hinge stop on the door itself that prevents it from swinging beyond a certain point.

2. Sticking

There are a couple of reasons why a door may stick. If it is a wooden door, it may be reacting to changes in temperature or humidity, causing it to swell. If the door is not wood, the problem may be with the wooden door jamb.

Another reason that a door may be sticking is that the hinges are dirty. This is easily resolved by scrubbing the hardware with an approved cleaner. Not only can this improve the sticking problem but it can also make your hardware look more attractive by shining it up.

3. Squeaking

An annoying squeaking door results from friction caused by two metal components rubbing up against each other. You can resolve the problem by adding lubrication to the hinges to help them open and close more smoothly. The most effective way to do this is to use a hammer to remove the door pins so you can coat the shafts completely.

In a pinch, you can use cooking oil as a lubricant for your door hinge. However, this is not recommended as it may make a mess or attract pests. Other possible lubricants include grease or wax, but perhaps the best option is lubricating oil, which you can purchase at a local hardware store.

4. Letting in Drafts

It can be very uncomfortable to feel a draft of cold air coming from around your front door. It can also hurt your home’s energy efficiency, resulting in higher utility bills. A draft around the door usually results from one of two problems. There may be gaps around the door because it is not flush with its frame, in which case it may need to be rehung. Another possibility is that the weather stripping is worn out and needs to be replaced.

5. Failing to Latch

If an exterior door refuses to stay latched, it is not only annoying but also potentially dangerous as it could provide an easy entry for intruders. The problem may be how the door latch is hitting the strike plate. The solution may be to move the strike plate up or down or to file it down to create a larger opening for the latch.

6. Rattling

Rattling is another issue that may result due to a problem with the latch or the strike plate. In addition to a misaligned latch bolt that can also prevent your door from closing completely, possible causes of rattling include a strike plate that is recessed or needs to be reset.

Hire a Carpenter in Scarborough From Handyman Connection

If you would like to resolve a problem with the door you have, we provide repair services in Scarborough. If you would prefer to replace the door, we also provide installation services. Learn more about our many carpentry specialties.