How do I shimmy up a door?

Question

Over the winter the door to my house has shifted and I am unable to lock it.

Answer 1

If the door still opens and shuts without a sticking problem and there is not a big crack at the top and bottom letting the wind in from the outside, try resetting the deadbolt strike-plate. If the strike plate is just a Milli meter too high or low the bolt will not line up. You can try shifting the strike plate up after loosening the screws or removing it and filing the hole to be a bit larger. Resetting a door is a big job. You would want to get someone with experience to help on that job. You will need some real tools or it will look like the little Rascals's club house by the time you're done. The frame of the front door is installed into the wall opening with lots of long nails. You would need to cut the door frame out to reset it. For this job you would need a Reciprocating Saw (see link) and they're not cheap. Consider the door may shift back to its original position with the change of the season. You would not want to reset the door each season.

Answer 2

Take the trim off the door, then pull the pins on the door and remove the door from it's hinges. Then get a level. You may need to pull some of the old nails out of the door or at least loosen them up by prying with a pry bar behind the door frame. Re-shim the door frame till the frame is level up and down, then nail it back in place. If the door was originally installed correctly the lock and lock hole should line up. Place the door back on it's hinges and test to make sure it locks. If it does, then nail the door trim back on.

You may want to put the door back on the hinges after you've pulled or loosened the nails securing the door frame if you're having problems. After you put it on it's hinges use some shims to shim underneath the bottom of the door to raise the door up till the door will lock. You'll want to raise it just a slight bit high because the door will tend to lower a little later. After you've shimmed underneath it till it locks then you reshim around the sides of the door. Then pull the door back off the pins again and nail the framing back in place. The door should work then.

One more suggestion, you might want to check the foundation for your house. There may be a descent chance that it is sinking. If so, you have a much bigger problem on your hands that needs immediate attention.

Answer 3

adjust the hinges. If this doesn't fully cure your ailing door take it down and cut it (from the bottom) to fit and put it back up on it's hinges.

Answer 4

You go on and shimmy all u want!!!! Ha ha funny funny