What Causes Sagging Doors and How to Fix It

When doors start sagging, they no longer appropriately fit the plate. Sagging doors allow for drafts, making the room harder to warm up.

There are several reasons why this might happen, including foundation settling, accumulated moisture in the wood, or even something as simple as loose screws.

Luckily, most problems are quickly resolved. If you can’t manage the repair on your own, a professional home service will know how to correct the issue.

Determining the problem

Before attempting a repair, the door in question should be thoroughly examined to determine whether the cause lies in the hinges, a part of the door, or walls shifting or foundation settling. Once known, repairs will become relatively straightforward.

Measuring the hinges will reveal how much the door sags. The door, frame, and walls should be evaluated with a level. If the level shows that any area is not plumb, likely that is your problem area.  

Fixing the hinges

Hinge screws should be examined with the doors open.  If any are loose, tighten them, taking care not to tighten them too much. An excellent way to know when the screws are tightened enough is to watch for the first signs of resistance.

If tightened screws don’t resolve the problem, replacing shorter screws with longer ones may. The new screws should be put in freshly-drilled holes. This is often a very effective way of removing the sag, as longer screws can better support the door's weight.

If none of the options solve the problem, mortising the hinges might be the next best solution. It’s a somewhat more advanced technique that a professional can handle with ease, but handy homeowners might attempt it on their own.

A hinge shim could present a viable option for hinges that need to be extended. This approach requires cutting out cardboard in the shape of the hinge and inserting the cardboard beneath the hinge. Caution is necessary here because the problem might worsen if the shim’s too thick.

Planing and sanding the door

In some cases, fixing the hinges might not resolve a sagging door, and it may be necessary to use a sanding plane and sandpaper to reshape the door edges. However, this process requires precise measuring and delicate work and may be best left to a professional.

Taking care of sagging doors

The best advice for homeowners with little or no experience in more advanced repair jobs is to call a home service to take care of any serious issues. Doing so will ensure the problem doesn’t worsen, and the pro will likely fix whatever is causing the doors to sag.

Clover Valley Home Service offers reliable service in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, baseboard and crown molding, sprinkler repair, fence repair or replacement, yard work and cleanup, and fire defense space preparation services. We do most home service jobs. Our work is guaranteed. Call (916) 742-3141 today!