How do I correct a door's hang?

Question

I have a heavy (solid) wood door between my house and garage.  I took it off the hinges to install a door sweep to the bottom to block a 3/8" gap at the bottom where cold air was coming in, and when I put it back, it swings freely for the first foot or so and then the handle side begins to hang up on the concrete floor, getting worse as you open it.  When I close it, I notice that along the top edge there is a bigger gap (though still hits the stop) between the top of the door and the jamb on the handle side than the hinge side.  In other words, it looks like the door is sagging a little towards the handle side; I don't believe that the floor rises.  How do I pull the handle side up a little?  Do I mortise the top (and other?) hinge a little deeper, and if so, do I do it on the door or the frame?  My instinct is on the door, since that will pull it up regardless of whether the door is open or closed, and a deeper mortise on the frame would on do so when the door is closed, if that makes sense.  Thanks.

? · Accepted Answer

i do maintenance and this is what i do first, but you may not have the tools. take out two screws  from the top hinge. the two ,usually back ones, that are in line with the 2 by 4 behind the jamb. use a smallish drill [bit] and make a hole through the jamb and into the 2 by 4 as deep as it will go, so you can put in a long screw  that will go into the 2 by 4. the pre drill hole makes the long screw go in easy and keeps it form stripping the phillips head. i use long deck screws. this is probably the only way you will ever keep the heavy door from sagging. the jamb has to be secure. i take the door off so i can pull the jamb back with the screws. and it doesn't have to be much. i also put long screws in the second hinge. this can be a little different on each door so you will have to figure things out as you go. don't strip the head on the long screw , that's what the pilot hole prevents. anyway i hope this might help you out. you can usually cut the bottom of a solid core door as a temporary fix.

? · Answer

JaneM has the right answer. The two screws on top hinge replace with 3" screws.The two closest to outside so it can grab the 2x4 in the frame work. This should work. Undo the sweep first to make sure the door is going to operate properly.  You can always add the sweep with the door on its hinges.

simon · Answer

First, check the door side for level. If the bottom or top was cut to make the height correct, was it dome at 90deg? Is the frame at 90deg, and plumb? Is the floor level, many are not. Do all of this before you start augmenting the frame.

Ranger · Answer

Now you know why the gap was there. To give the door clearance  to swing open and closed. 

You bought the wrong type of door sweep. Remove the sweep from the bottom of the door.  Use the correct one for your needs.   They make a threshold that fits on the bottom of the door casing that has a vinyl strip down the center. You cut the threshold and lay it on top of the door casing, close the door and shim under the threshold until it is snuggly tight against the bottom of the door. Open the door and insert the screws into the threshold and casing. 

It is just as air tight, a fraction of the work that you are suggesting, and cost about the same in materials.

Poppy · Answer

First, check the door side for level. If the bottom or top was cut to make the height correct, was it dome at 90deg? Is the frame at 90deg, and plumb? Is the floor level, many are not. Do all of this before you start augmenting the frame.

Trending News

How do I correct a door's hang?

5 Answers