Every year in the spring my screen door gets blown by the wind and pulls the screws out of the door frame?

Question

I buy and install a new pump for the door every year. This is getting old...and the frame is splitting too... The door is a heavy wood core and expands and contracts from moisture and heat and cold. It is about 20 years old with holes in the metal (so water gets in to the wood core). The door opens to the north, so shouldn't be much wind, but sometimes there is. Any suggestions? Yes, last time I didn't put the chain on there, so that was a mistake..

Answer 1

Install some longer screws into the door frame. I had the same problem with my door, and some others I've worked on. The 1 or 1 1/2 inch screws aren't long enough to give a good hold. Get some 3 inch galvanized screws from your hardware store. Use these to anchor the closing arm into the door frame. They will go in deep enough to hit the house framing. If the holes in the doors are ruined also, drill completely through the door and replace the screws with bolts, nuts and washers. Make sure the bolts will go all the way through the door, and use a flat washer between the door and the nut. And as you said, install the chain at the top to help prevent it from opening to far.

Answer 2

A Couple of thoughts for Ponderizationism.
I would Use the retention chain, also buy a better Door closer (door check) heck you can even buy it with remote now.... If you like you can use chain and closers on the top and bottom or the door. Lastly Perhaps buy a new door and change the swing or a solid steel door that will be secure and not blow around. GL.

Answer 3

Hi Mevlana! Bugs280's answer is on the money. The only thing I'd add to the good advice he gave is that you might wish to use a little epoxy or Gorilla Glue on the threads of the screws before inserting them. This will bond them to the wood and dramatically reduce the risk of them pulling free; It'll also help if the existing holes are slightly loose. You might also consider caulking the holes in the metal to help stop water infiltration before the door starts to rot from that.

The only part of his answer I take *slight* issue with is the suggestion to use bolts, washers etc. It works but my preferred solution is to drill the holes larger and then epoxy maple (or oak) dowels into the holes to give good wood to screw into (I normally use 3/8"th or larger dowels if possible). That way I don't have to get behind the frame.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

in the same area of the hardware store that you have been buying new parts for your door, you will find a retention chain made for this purpose. One end of the chain attaches to the top of the door jamb and the other attaches to the door. The chain has a spring on it to ease the force with which the door opens.