How To Adjust A Door Hinge

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Shannon from www.house-impr... shows you how to adjust a door hinge that is binding.
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Video © 2017 SKS Media. Videos produced by SKS Media (House-Improvements.com) are provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in the videos is intended to give general guidance to simplify DIY (do it yourself) projects. Because tools, products, materials, equipment, techniques, building codes and local regulations are constantly changing, SKS Media cannot and does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information contained therein. Further, SKS Media will not accept any claim for liability related to, but not limited to, omissions, errors, injury, damage or the outcome of any project. It is the responsibility of the viewer to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project. The viewer must always take proper safety precautions and exercise caution when taking on any project. If there are any questions or doubt in regards to the element of a project, please consult with a licensed professional. SKS Media conducts all matters in accordance with the laws of Saskatchewan, Canada.

[@mls02251988]

I just spent an hour trying to adjust a door I just installed. Watched your video, and it was fixed in 15 minutes

[@gabrielbazata3107]

saaame

[@unnabray]

Had a door that wouldn't close for the longest time and only now getting around to it. This really did the trick! Such a simple and easy solution. Thought I would have to do a lot more permanent damage. Thanks for posting!

[@dianneclanton7762]

Thank you! I have a space at the top of my exterior door that lets in a lot of cold air in the winter. I knew I needed to adjust the hinges, but aside from tightning screws, I had no idea how. I'm a single female and I can't afford a handyman. I rely on knowledgeable people like you, to help me fix things. Thanks for your simple, concise instructions.

[@edwardwang2481]

This is the best ever. My sagging door frustrated me quite a while. And I tried a couple of approaches from Yotube. Some of them required me to bend the hing knuckles a bit which didn’t fit my case because the door casing to close to the hinge and almost zero space for a wrench not to say bending it. This approach with the video perfectly solved my problem without any damage on the hinge itself.

[@andyhill441]

Had the door off twice and was still binding, took 5 mins watch your video and I sorted it in 2 mins. Thanks mate 👍

[@HouseImprovements]

Glad it helped

[@kellymstl]

Hey, I just watched you End of Houseimprovements video. I wanted to take a minute and let you know this here video helped me fix my front door. We had a deadbolt that had been hard to turn for a long time. This was the first video I watched after searching for a door alignment video, and I was able to fix my door in 10 minutes. No more sticky deadbolt. Thank you!

[@sarahdrinkwater4563]

Omg. I’ve been so frustrated by the weather stripping on my door, messing around with it, and then I noticed it’s just that the door is hanging crooked. Which is also why it doesn’t latch properly. I felt really intimidated by trying to fix it, until I watched your video. Thanks for saving our heating bill!

[@sarahdrinkwater4563]

So easy. Thanks again!! I shared this vid on FB. Hope you get some more traffic on your channel!

[@TWOFS_1]

Follow up: I just did your trick and ... it worked! Yay! I worked so well--and only took me five minutes. Dude, I owe you.

[@le-ar]

this was driving me nuts for years and your fix helped me out. i was doing dumb stuff like sanding the door on the side because i thought the paint was too thick, but after sanding door and even peeling off actual wood to make gap better, none of that worked, but the spacers worked.

[@daveyunker4068]

Did the same thing, planed the frame and door … no luck

[@adventureDad1976]

My man, for 8 years, since I bought my house, you have guided many of my projects. Thank you for these videos!! Cheers

[@morganalley3093]

I've seen a ton of these videos and everyone's ways of fixing didn't work for my home. This worked in less than 2 minutes per door... you sir just made my day! Thank you so much

[@jennifermier7534]

You have taught my husband and I how to install all new windows and doors in our home. Your videos are great! Thank you

[@larryjohnson3422]

Life saver!!! Thanks, Shannon. I was about to shave off the bottom of a new door that was slightly out of plumb and just barely hitting the floor. Tried this fix and was done in about 10 minutes.

[@derekgoodwin6646]

Just hanging my own doors , iam electrician.Now I have to thank you , you have saved my life I didn't have a clue about that trick .You are a star . Thanks from the UK.

[@jman1271]

Thank you for posting this! You saved me from beating my head against the wall and taking my door down again to figure out what was wrong.

[@jessekruper3723]

Thank you for explaining this. The video is thorough and full of useful information. My son’s bedroom door wouldn’t latch properly and this fix solved it. I used a piece of cardboard from an apple pie box, folded it over a few times, and slid it behind the hinge plate. When I tightened the screws, the door shut perfectly. You delivered as promised. This fix was easy and free! I appreciate you sharing this knowledge. Keep being awesome.

[@brimars2172]

Thank you very much for this video. I had a door that was stuck at the top edge all the way to the corner on the latch side. It had been making awful noise for years, even cracking the drywall in the corner it was so bad. Looked at alot of videos- all involved bending the hinges, which I knew I would screw up. Your method was great because it could be easily undone if it didn't work right. I decided to shim the top hinge with a quadruple fold of cardboard from an old greeting card. First try it worked perfectly, and the door closes silently now. Amazing. Thank you so much for a very clear and helpful video :)

[@geebsterswats]

Thanks a ton! Worked like a charm for me. I shimmed out the bottom hinge only with a tripled up piece of cardboard. That allowed the latch to line up better with the strike plate and the door closes like a dream now.

[@neocentrixhairsalon7653]

Shannon, you are my hero! You save me from banging my head on the wall figuring out how to fix this issue. Thank you so much for sharing this trick!

[@ram0001]

Thank you for this trick. I saw other videos where they were using wrench to adjust hinges, but I couldn't find a way to do that. This trick of putting a piece of cardboard worked like a charm. Thank you!

[@cokeefe28]

Got through the video and immediately tried it. My door is fixed and no longer has any gaps. Bonus.... no longer closes by itself either. I am a happy man.

[@dans3146]

been trying to adjust the box store door I installed a year ago. convinced it was defective from day one. Your video helped me realize I needed the cardboard to act like a fulcrum instead of the flat piece I was using. Thanks! might have saved my marriage ;)

[@Zan1T2]

Love this fix!!! Been living too long with a misaligned bathroom door that won't shut properly to lock. This solution cost nothing and is risk-free for those of us that are DIY-challenged. Thank you!

[@GearyPower]

I was skeptical about putting cardboard behind the hinges at first but damn if it didn’t work! My new pre-hung door was having some resistance when trying to close all the way but I found this video, inserted my cardboard behind two hinges and now it closes perfect. Thanks Shannon!

[@RC-ob6in]

Spent my all morning trying to figure out how to line up the hinges... though placing a piece card board., and you have just confirmed on the video !!! thanks a lot for your inputs !

[@mugentuner]

I really enjoyed this explanation. So basically it seems the shim is actually a pivot point to pull or push the door in the desired direction if understanding correctly.

[@HouseImprovements]

exactly .

[@kspolosmith7815]

My kitchen door I re-hung on the opposite side and is now springy at the close point and when shut. I assume I do the same method with car behind the hinges. Good video - was nice and clear . KS in England

[@gcruishank9663]

Awesome, great advice. My solid core door on my sound studio was sagging and the lock bolt wouldn't extend fully. Now it all works!

[@davydacounsellor]

Awesome wee job to do this morning help me catch 3 keepers and unspring a couple of doors, cheers from Northern Ireland.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks Shannon. Just fixed two doors that would latch. Fixed the problem in minutes and for no money!

[@steveprout2655]

Thanks for the easy sensible solution. I have a four hinge door I will apply this principle to. Really appreciate the advice.

[@jurdley]

Thanks Dude! Fixed my exterior door, saved me a couple hundred bucks. Your videos are the best.

[@michaeldohrmann3200]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! had a prehung door installed recently. I removed the hinges to paint it and when I reinstalled them had this same issue with the door closing. The cardboard worked perfectly!

[@bradleycalderone5189]

Hi Shannon, Nice Video, another alternative is using some plastic from food containers, it is nice and thin and doesn't degrade like the cardboard,. Keep up the great videos!

[@armadillo1231]

Brilliant. Very well explained. You should have 4.56 million views. This is exactly how I resolve this problem.

[@GhostPhriek]

Thanks for the video! I've got some messed up hinges in the house that I rent. Love the channel!

[@williamschidler9732]

thank you for making this video. I was able to shim my back door so that it latches again. No more light showing through the cracks now.

[@jpmcpeake]

Genius. I had thought about buying a chisel to adjust where the hinge went... THANK YOU!

[@Dieterhaarhoff]

Thanks for put this together, it worked great! I used a packer instead, which should make it last a life time. Thanks again!

[@mehranhassanzadeh4871]

Thanks, I just did it for my exterior french door, and it's perfect now. I'm a big fan of your videos. :)

[@jasonrichards6752]

Thank you. Amazing tip. Took less than 5 minutes and 100% fixed problem.

[@hermitlifeinthemountainsub9493]

was that a 1 inch by 3 inch piece of cardboard? Never mind, I got it. I tried 3 layers but it was too much and 2 layers were perfect. Thank you so very much for your video! You are saving me so much money this year!

[@nrfa6229]

Hi Shannon. Another great video. I’ve been a huge fan and subscriber for a longtime now. I’m needing some huge advice on my walk out basement door. I replaced just the door, and the bottom plate of it as well. Both Master craft. At first everything was fitting right except two things. There’s a gap at the upper right hand side of the door, as well as a gap at the lower left of the door. I’ve tried everything that I can think of as a DIY’er, but could really really use your expertise advice and knowledge on this one. I have even exchanged the hinges out for new ones, and that didn’t even help. About a month ago, as it started to get cold here in MI. It got to where I couldn’t even close the door, without sitting down and using my heel to close it. I bought the exterior door custom so it was painted&had two holes instead of one. Air is coming through gaps good. I had to even chisel for the hinges. Any help would be totally thankful and well appreciated. Thanks so much, and keep videos coming👍🏻

[@Maxid1]

Nrfa I'd ask this question on his website.

[@SanSolDad]

I was able to fix my bathroom door by following your instruction. Thank you so much!!!

[@RobbyMaQ]

Thanks man! Was scratchin my head when 2 of 4 new doors we just installed had hinges that were mortised too deep... Easy fix!

[@HouseImprovements]

Glad it helped!

[@gordonandmerlynprendergast613]

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. We have several doors needing this. Thought we would have to hire someone...! Isn’t it amazing how apparently big problems become simple solutions when we know how?

[@HouseImprovements]

I believe so

[@skygh]

Doors are my job and this is how I do it. Now just replace that Therma-Tru adjustable strike plate that Will Fail in time with a standard strike plate and I'll be happy. I know I am about the only one to see it but it's true. Great advice on shimming doors!

[@CinchSK]

I always wondered how to adjust my exterior doors - thanks a lot!!!

[@tombarse7252]

Seems like some solid advice and should be the perfect fix for the problem I'm experiencing with my door into my garage.

[@davidsonmg]

Great tip! I have always used a larger piece of cardboard and placed it under the whole hinge, screws included. Guess I know better now! Thanks!!

[@HouseImprovements]

That will work but my way will keep the hinges from binding as the door closes as well.

[@gigglesaregood]

This was awesome, I actually took the hinge off to shim it. This way is much easier. Thank you. Cheers.

[@TWOFS_1]

Wow! Thank you. That looks like such an easy fix to my door jumpiness. I'll try it out and then let you know how it worked! Thanks again!

[@RC-ob6in]

Thanks!

[@HouseImprovements]

Thank you very much!

[@JasonWinnebeck]

This video helped me fix a door that was tilted so it didn't latch. By putting shims in the bottom hinge raised the door so it latched.

[@GreenAndRobertson]

Ah ha! A home improvement mystery revealed! Thank you, Houseimprovements; that was exactly what I needed to know. 👍

[@ednightingale]

Thanks, I just adjusted my door using your method, worked perfect.

[@HB-ct8hh]

I just installed some interior pre-hung doors and all of them had minuscule reveal below the lowest hinge on the hinge side. I will give your suggestion a try. It looks promising. Thanks

[@HouseImprovements]

This will work for you. Remember this will close the gap on the opposite jam and also opposite top corner

[@irjayjay]

Thank you so much! I didn't know this was a thing, door wasn't binding anywhere but on the hinge, which is welded into the doorframe. Put the shim on the door side.

[@mikrch3935]

My exact problem. I'll try it this weekend. Thank you, great video

[@jquintanao]

Thanks. This fixed an eternal problem in minutes.

[@guido7412]

Thanks for the advice.. simple tutorial and hopefully just what i need to avoid taking this heavy fire door off again!

[@oyml1149]

This worked for me to fix a door that wasn't closing well due to it being a little out of line. Thank you!

[@HouseImprovements]

Excellent!

[@stuartphillpot7205]

My fused father showed me this but I had forgotten it, thanks for the reminder kind regards Stuart

[@piggmann1]

Thanks for a great vid. It was the exact video I was searching for to help with a "jacked" hinge. ( didn't know what to call it until now). It was precise and to the point matter of fact. Came in handy for my whole home remodel. Thanks

[@grahamwilliams4801]

Thank you so much for this tip, problem solved in two minutes.

[@richhern2020]

Thank Boss. You saved me some money and got my door closing perfectly 👌

[@cjb5598]

Wow, Man! My Hinge Challenge "Gone in 60 Seconds!" (said Nicholas Cage and Me!) I did not know how to do that, but I do now, and it worked handsomely! Thanx!

[@lkw5699]

Love your videos. Going to try this to close the gap and use longer screws

[@Jaang29]

thank you , just found this , and hello from Miami , FL 🌴

[@nikokolettis1162]

Awesome tip. Just did this. Worked perfectly. Thank you!

[@CtrlAltElite404]

Thanks for this! I really appreciate your direct style, you can tell you put thought into presenting this demonstration which is terribly uncommon with home maintenance DIY videos. I'm off to grab some Dr Pepper boxes from the garage to cut out some shims! :)

[@Silent-G]

Great tip. I’ve got a lot of doors to work on now!

[@facelift420]

Thanks! Helped me fix a door that wouldn't latch at all.

[@brendancaldwell5376]

Literally had this problem and didn't know what to do about it. Thank you!

[@CoreyVisto]

This is awesome. Just used this trick and it worked very well. Thank you!

[@bobbyGnOly]

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for..you've saved me again.

[@sjr7822]

Good timing this popped up on notification, I had the door frame off and was deciding what to do next. Save me from myself doing damage

[@diceros69]

After 7 years, I can now close my closet door. Thanks!

[@williamstubbs9737]

as always a nice presentation with detailed explanations. Hang in there, you are well liked!

[@HouseImprovements]

Much appreciated!

[@TNT825]

Awesome tutorial. Gonna give it a try now. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻

[@thelifegiverwr]

Thanks man this solved my door hinge problem. I recently fit my first replacement hinge and had an issue where the wood frame would creak and the hinge would flex a bit.. so the cardboard shimmy worked a treat to solve both problems 🤟😬😬

[@stevewilde4430]

I really like your video. I have a friend I tried to help an interior solid core door today. The door was Not pre-hung, but had a top jamb, and both side jambs (3 separate pieces). The jambs and the door have 3 mortises already on the jamb, and the door. By the way, product is from Menards. I air nailed the top jamb to the two side jambs and attached the hinge side with 2 1/2" screws, along with shims, to keep the hinge jamb plumb. Then, we hung the door with the three hinges. I hadn't fastened the striker jamb to the opposite side yet. My problem, when I close the door, it will not close EASILY when I get about 1-2" from the stop. It wants to spring back. I do not want to fasten the striker jamb plumb, along with the top jamb, until the door will close easily against the stops. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@HouseImprovements]

The hinge side of the frame is twisted and the hinges are closing completely before the door can swing all the way closed. Add a really thin shim under the edge of the hinge side jamb along the edge where the door hinge knuckles are, this will twist the frame more true to the wall framing.

[@Brian-gk3ll]

Thank you Shannon! Excellent presentation and explanation. And now my doors don't leak...lol

[@HeatherSnowman]

Thank you, you helped me fix my problem, I really appreciate it!

[@MrPaulbm100]

Excellent tip , worked first time

[@allbaugh04]

Thanks, been scratching my head for a half hour

[@StreetEliminator]

Thank You!! Fixed the issue with a new prehung

[@lumartin1908]

Thank you! At least this method allowed me to adjust the door where I can now use the door knob lock again. At least it should last until I can get someone more handy to come in and look at my door. I had trouble with the dead bolt too, but for now I won't have to file as much off the strike plate to get that working too.

[@austinstevens989]

I wanna hug this man

[@FranciscoMartinez-zv2rw]

You could also bend the hinges to move it over to the striker side it, or bend the knuckles to move the door over the hinge side.

[@chrish4723]

Shannon, thanks for the vid. I love your channel. I have a front entry door where the top corner of the latch side protrudes in away from the stop and stands proud of the jamb about 1/4 to 3/8". I'm thinking the door frame was twisted during install. Is there a way to adjust the hinges to correct this or would I have to rehang the door within the jamb? Uninstalling the entire door frame is not an option. Thanks for any insight!

[@bokmanhan9191]

Thanks so much! You helped me fix my door of problem for years.

[@anitalgarcias]

If I want my door to angle up slightly so that the deadbolt goes in smoother, would doing this just on the bottom hinge "tilt" the door up?

[@HouseImprovements]

yes. or use a dremel tool to grind out the deadbolt hole a little larger.

[@LoreneQiick]

Thanks so much for your instructions.

[@maddog1918]

Instead of using cardboard, remove the hinge on the jamb side and install a small screw in the same place leaving the head of the screw out a little (I always use extra hinge screws) then reinstall the hinge. Cardboard is to soft and doesn't really keep the hinge "jacked over" when you screw the hinge back in place

[@HouseImprovements]

use the dense cardboard from the hinge package, it does not compress much. Your method will work as well.

[@rockyroad5035]

Great vid. I use the screw method as maddog1918 mentioned above. Works great with easy and quick adjustability by threading screw in or out to get things perfect.

[@bbubely]

I usually tape a couple of number ten washers or quarter washers. Thin enough to use for shims and solid.

[@cjf3838]

I just did this using cardboard and it worked perfectly! Thanks Shannon!

[@NM-tr6kq]

Worked perfectly. Thanks !

[@daneroify]

Another great instructional video. Thank you!

[@TheBayoubreeze]

This is off topic. What kind of staple gun do you use and what size staples do you use for the underlay-ment ply. I saw your vid and it talked about divergent point staples. What size do you use and what gun works with those long narrow staples like that? Thanks for your help.

[@movewithveronika]

THIS WAS SO HELPFUL!!! I have been trying to figure out how to fix the problem and your tip was so easy and fixed the problem immediately, so THANK YOU!!

[@pablo8790]

You’re the man !! Thank you so much for sharing

[@eschrader]

Also Amazon has some hinge shims that have some cool tips for not having to remove all 3 screws for example