Fix Gap On Latch Side Of Door

If a door binds on the latch side at the top the upper hinge may be loose.

Fix gap on latch side of door.

A binding door may need to be planed but often simpler repairs will solve the problem. Place a level on the floor and level it. Reducing door gap in a latch side. Open the door approximately 18 inches and stand on the other side of the door so you can see the hinges where they attach to the door jamb.

This is the amount you need to cut off the high side of the door jamb. If you have gaps around an outside door you could be losing up to 15 percent of the money you spend heating your home by allowing heated air to blow outside. Look to see if the top door hinge on the door. Here are some pictures of the problem.

How to fix a gap in an outside door. If the gap on your door exceeds this. If you have a large gap at the bottom of your door that may be helping the door to stay plumb. The new door is snug against the frame on all sides except one.

As long as the gap is even on an interior door it shouldn t be why a door isn t closing properly. This job can be a hassle especially if you have painted trim. If the gap between the door and the jamb is large and consistent the door is mounted too low in the jamb. Measure the width of the gap then remove the door from the jamb and take the hinges off the door.

The correction for this would be to raise the hinge side left or cut off the latch side right. Apply slow but moderate lifting force on the door knob. Be careful not to overdo it and seal the door so that it can t settle with the rest of the house. If it binds on the latch side at the bottom you may need to fix the bottom hinge screws.

The side where the lock is. A properly installed door features a 1 8 inch gap along the latch side to allow the door to swing and function correctly. Tighten the screws or repair the screw holes. Move the hinges down on the door by the width of the gap minus 1 8 inch.

One two three the gap is so big that the latch will not catch in the jamb so when the deadbolt isn t engaged the door won t stay closed. Measure the gap under the low side of the floor. To readjust the door frame you have to remove the trim along the latch side to get at the shims. The installer should have adjusted the frame with shims to leave about a 1 8 in.

Fill in the notches where the hinges were with thin pieces of wood. Gap along the latch side about the thickness of two quarters coins.