Any ideas why some of the doors in my house now don't shut properly when they all used to?

Question

The house is a 4 bedroom detached house and is 20 years old. We've been here for 2 years. Some are wose than others, mostly upstairs. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

sometimes the foundation can shift causing uneven bend in the houses stability or the doors could be swelling due to weather
I'm no expert but in my experience that is all i can say good luck

Answer 2

Before you get worrying about the foundations sagging check that the hinges are all tight and properly aligned. The securing screws often work loose over time and they shift slightly.

Next check that the locks and catches are secured.

If the walls are stud & plaster (which they may well be upstairs on a 20 year old house) then it's likely that the frames have warped slightly. You can check this in a few minutes with an inexpensive set-square (about £5 from a hardwars shop). All the corners must be 90 degrees. A very small tolerence is normal but only a degree either way.

If a frame is warped then the door will not operate properly. If you're luck you'll be able to "true it up" but it's probably not worth the effort for a badly warped one.

New frames aren't expensive from places like Jewson's but you'll need a confident amount of skill as a carpenter to replace the old ones. If the piggy bank allows then you'll be better off replacing doors and frames as a set.

Remember to measure the height and width and depth of door and frame because although indoor doors and frames are 'standard' sizes but there are several 'standards', so get thr right size for the hole.

Try http://www.jewson.co.uk/homepage.jsp?_requestid=32234

Answer 3

If the house was new, you could blame it on"settling" that occurs naturally with a new house.

Eliminate the obvious before you go any further . Have you had a new central heating system installed recently?

Is there dampness in the house?

You see, I wouldn't mind one or two doors not closing properly, but all of them, and worse upstairs? I would worry about a major structural problem; are there any new cracks in walls or anyhting like that?

I don't want to panic you, but your first port of call might be just a carpenter, who can either re-hang the doors, or plane them to fit again, and/or re-adjust the handles and locks. He would also be able to tell you whether you need to call in a surveyor or if it's just a once-off coincidental thing.

Answer 4

Several reasons come to mind. One can be that the house has shifted on the foundation. Another could be the humidity, it will make the wood swell and cause the doors not to shut properly. Finally, the temperature that you keep the house, although that more than likely ties into the humidity again.

You may have to buy a wood plane and plane the edges of the doors to get them to fit smooth again. good luck

Answer 5

I have a similar problem with two doors on the upper floor of my house. It cures itself and then returns more often during wet weather.The wood absorbs latent moisture and then swells slightly.A squirt of WD40 sometimes helps. Try to see where the door is making cotact with the door frame and apply a small amount of lubricant to the striking point. Resist the temptation to plane the excess wood as when the wood shrinks the door may rattle in the frame.Try WD40 first. All the best.

Answer 6

Could be from water in the wood, sometimes it makes wood swell and it jams or will not shut properly. Can shave it down on the edges to fit but in summer you will need to get another door or fill in the gaps around the edges you've shaved

Answer 7

You didn't say if it was humid where you were. If it is, you might try a dehumidifier. With the age of your house, it might be that you have accumulated paint or stain around the edge of the door or frame. You might try sanding or planing the perimeter of door or frame and repainting. Some soap around the edge might help, too!

Answer 8

are they 1scrapping on floor (hinges or post moved) 2 swing freely but not shut into facings, frame has twisted 3 squeaking & creaking post has buckled binding hinges , either get a joiner to check them out , or test them yourself see what is happening where are they touching first are catches still lining up ? slight adjustment may do , even new carpets can cause problems . hope this helps worst cause subsidence cracks would show on walls ceilings ect

Answer 9

Wood expands, our doors are the same, wooden door, wooden floor. A heated house in winter the wood shrinks and when the house gets cool the wood expands again.

Answer 10

Doors change size over time (also over the seasons) as they expand and contract due to temperature changes. Maybe you have the heating on more or less than you used to? Take them off and plane them.