How to Fix Doors That Won't Close

[@Toadnabber]

I am a facilities manager and the tricks I have learned here are priceless. Sometimes it's the little things that can goof you around the hardest. Thanks Leah.

[@pattiherrmann900]

Great video 😅

[@j.robertsergertson4513]

Not only are you a excellent carpenter,but clairvoyant too, I have that exact problem with one of my interior doors ,but not for long now 👍Thanks

[@lucaskruske6554]

I'm a mechanic and have little carpentry experience. Thanks for the tips! You have a new follower

[@matthewnucci2564]

Excellent explanation of the problems and concise addressing of the remedy. Your videos are always welcomed...and in my case, timely...since I'll be doing this fix now. Thankyou!

[@kimdramer1641]

OMG, this is the video that I have been searching for FOREVER! Just knowing the correct term, "swollen door," helping tremendously. Even if I have a handyman do this on my behalf, knowing the correct term will save me endless hassles and, likely, a couple of bucks. Leah, you're the best!!!

[@donb3557]

I bet I’m not the only one who wishes Leah lived next door to them. A natural teacher, great personality and presenting skills are outta the park👍👍

[@KissyKat]

Hi Leah! I found you on KZbin because I had water coming from underneath my toilet bowl and thanks to your video I fixed it today! Count me a happy new subscriber! I live alone and I can't wait to go through your list of videos, learn about other things that I can do. I feel really empowered, thank you again!! 😊👍☮️

[@seejanedrill]

My pleasure and welcome to the channel.

[@quintonwilson8565]

Tip I learned about loose screws (overtightened and no longer holds) if you don't/can't use a longer screw. Remove the screw out of the hole and insert a wooden splinter or a few tooth picks. When you put a new screw in, it'll tighten better.

[@harpintn]

I learned that rick watching Homer Formby on the PBS station when I was a kind..... Now I am showing my age.

[@da6885]

Packing the hole with fine steel wool can work too.

[@billthompson5644]

You really have good timing , you know everybody wants their doors to close correctly in the middle of winter. EXCEPT the utility companies, they like them when they have leaks then they can rip you off for all of your money. Thanks again for your very well-timed video.

[@seejanedrill]

My pleasure Bill

[@heartwormskillcats8357]

Lea always teaches in such an easy to understand way. Thank you so much for your channel!

[@mizsparkie5479]

You rock Leah! You seem to be doing all the tips I need for my antique house. Thanks!

[@UrBasicGuy]

A belt sander can be used as well in place of a electric planer. I have done it several times with great results..

[@jackhogston6119]

Yep, that would be my go-to as well. I have hand planes, but they're kinda fiddly if you don't use them often, and I don't. But if you have a heavily painted door like Leah's example, it would probably be wise to scrape or strip off the paint along that edge to avoid clogging the sanding belt.

[@javiergalvan242]

Great tip Leah, I'm going to attempt what you just did in an interior pantry door, wish me luck. Remain blessed and keep the video's coming 👍 💯

[@src4409]

Nice to see old house fixes. No one has these. My 1885 home doesn't fit into a lot of modern home fix videos. I would add that you don't have to paint the door if it's not painted. You can stain it to match and varnish it.

[@seejanedrill]

Thank you for making the point about vanish

[@valeriezendiver263]

This is such a great overall door fit repair lesson, thank you! Now I know how to address a troublesome one I have. Thanks for demystifying DIY!

[@Jaron22]

I like your videos. You're friendly, the instructions are clear and the videos are to the point and edited down to a short and easy feed. Thank you.

[@EricaNernie]

Thanks Leah. Going to tackle that closet door on the weekend. Now I know the steps.

[@general5104]

I love watching you do your thing. You make it SO SIMPLE ! Anyone can follow your lead ! THANK YOU, Leah ! (you're SO cute ! and very professional)

[@hoppas77]

Your show and teaching skills are BETTER than anything I've seen on TV or youtube for that matter. As always, Thank you :)

[@seejanedrill]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@Paula-po9kx]

Thank you Leah. You had the absolutely amazing ways to repair things at the correct timing.

[@allansutton557]

Also a good tip is to wear a mask when planing/sanding down older doors due to the dangers of lead paint. Great video Leah, love the channel.

[@jamesb44]

Not only that. Wood dust is carcinogenic.

[@HannahMattox]

I started following this channel when there were less than 250k subscribers. Look how far you're getting!

[@seejanedrill]

Thanks for your support.

[@timcollins7063]

Always love your helpful content for diy'ers like me.

[@bernadettepesce773]

Leah, thank you for the video. You're an excellent teacher. I have a bunch of kitchen and other cabinet doors that need this fix.

[@billielewis5562]

Leah your brilliant! Iv just finished laminating ( vinyl plank) my upstairs, stairs and bathroom

[@noname-nd8ec]

when I have problems around the house my first thought is to fix it using explosives, then I watch your video and see there is a different way, thanks Leah.

[@Paulie1232]

spectacular job Leah, thanks for sharing your knowledge.....

[@nelsonkieffer6514]

Leah, you are awesome. Your instruction is so plain and the explanation as to why you do things the way you do them. I enjoy watching and following your instruction videos. It seems to me there should be a simpler way to fix a swollen door. I don't know how but maybe you can figure it out.

[@robertbamford8266]

I only recently discovered flat shims - the shim you use to fill the too-deep mortise. Useful in a surprising number of applications.

[@evelynmontez3565]

Omg. Her voice. Every day I repeat you can DO THIS!

[@JohnJacksonJohnson]

Can definitely say it works! The exterior door of my back door was just a LITTLE too big for the frame (it's an old farmhouse: nothing is perfectly level, not even the floors, and the builder went by the method of "if it fits, it's OK: don't care if it's perfectly level or not"), so I had to plane away ONE part to make it fit before painting it.

[@tiddlesa.6125]

Ours do this during a rainy spell then when everything dries up they close perfectly again. I always imagined it was the ground swelling and retracting. It fixes itself. Love from Australia.

[@KLP99]

One channel that I can tap the like button before I watch the video because I know, from experience, that the content will be short, accurate, and useful. Thanks Leah!

[@shukiikuhs]

I can't wait to see this channel absolutely explode. You're awesome!

[@chrisbrannan3784]

Hey Leah, love your calm slow approach to explaining things. I have an exterior door that has kind of the opposite problem. Everything works fine in the summer, but in cold weather the deadbolt and knob become almost impossible to turn, especially with a key. When it first starts to get cold you can kind of make it easier by pushing or prying on the door, but by the time temps get around freezing nothing seems to help. The door itself opens and closes fine, just the latch and deadbolt seem to be the problem. It is a metal foam core door on wood frame/jamb. Thanks!

[@seejanedrill]

Hace you tried lubricants?

[@chrisbrannan3784]

@@seejanedrill I haven't. Since the outside would be exposed to the elements should I stick to a dry lube or white lithium, or should I flood it with something like wd40 so it can soak and flush crud out?

[@BliffleSplick]

@@chrisbrannan3784 Start small and use some 3-in-1 because it might just be friction itself and not rust. If it's still being a pain, then take it out to see what the problem actually is. All things have maintenance needs so yeah, you might need to revisit this at a later date.

[@chrisbrannan3784]

@@BliffleSplick thanks for the tip, I will try some oil this weekend.

[@SimonTekConley]

Had a panel door fall apart recently. I tore it apart completely, and reglued the joints. It made such a difference.

[@jerryward5386]

you make it look so easy thank you for all the eye opening information about the project Love your channel and your really awesome

[@sirfultonbishop]

Good stuff! Always happy when your videos show up in my inbox! Thanks! Oh, and Happy Holidays to all! 🎅🏻🎄

[@deby7821]

Thank you Leah, had to do this to my mom's front door. Happy and Safe holidays beautiful !!

[@toin9898]

When I bought my house, all of the doors had been painted to the point that none of them would shut properly. Stripped all the paint off both the doors and the frames and now they all work great and look 1000x time better without the crusty paint.

[@mikecozzi1040]

😳 Thanks! Leah! Good lesson! Have a Wonderful Day!

[@MVK_GS]

This needs to be a show on HGTV. I love her videos.

[@couponqueen784]

I love your videos! This is the 2nd one I have watched in the last 3 weeks of yours and they addressed both of my problems :) THANK YOU!!!

[@evanh1066]

Waw just waw! The quality of the video, the content, the explanation...just waw!

[@davedeatherage4902]

Thank you Leah, Merry Christmas to you and you're family. I also live like you in the Pacific Northwest, 🎄😊👍🏻🇺🇲

[@pdxwildchildroberts5586]

PNW here💜Leah, YOU are totally my fave TOOL💯 lol..you simplified that thorn-in-my-side door problem many of us can relate to..thx again👍💙👍

[@angver525]

Another great explanatory video Leah. I've just had a couple of doors with the exact same problem and sorted them with your help. 👍👍👍

[@jf922]

Thank you so much for all the videos!! I wanted to ask how do we get the pins lubricated before we put the door back? Is there a recommended lubricant?

[@smitty9999]

I'm happy to see you removed the paint from the hardware.

[@scottg7660]

Great video! Very well made and explained. Thank you.

[@tipsclubs01]

Good video Leah, now I think I can do it. Thanks again. Keep up the good videos.

[@gyrlsyx7]

Did this and it worked. Sure wish I had an electric planer though 😕 but the elbow grease worked well enough.

[@youknowme8578]

Leigh, I have had two French doors and only one would do that. Thanks to you I now know how to make the fix, you sure are a God sent to people like me that didn't know what to do. BTW, Merry Christmas to you and yours. Edit: you have the best damn KZbin channel on the internet!

[@seejanedrill]

Merry Christmas to you too

[@GodGunsGills]

You can do this!!!! Love and blessings

[@MurphysEveryWhim]

We have door issues because the jambs are not square anymore. 18-year-old house with hollow doors. Would planing work in this case, assuming that the planing would be don at different depths on different parts of the door, including the tops?

[@wolfman75]

Great Advice!!!! Thank You For The Info Leah!!! Your Awesome!!! 👍😎🙏😁🤘

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

DO YOU HAVE A CAMERA IN MY HOUSE? LOL Your timing is uncanny!!! Another great video!

[@derekbowbrick6233]

Might I suggest that people use wood plugs as opposed to a longer screw, some of todays doors do not have the needed amount of wood in place to accept the longer screw without disastrous results.

[@tonysutton6559]

I've used a wooden matchstick (or two) in the screw holes on some doors and that often is enough to give the screws sufficient bite.

[@derekbowbrick6233]

@@tonysutton6559 Save those chopsticks from that Chinese food order. Tap them in and chop them off in place, even better if they are tapered.

[@JMWexperience]

Thanks for sharing your time and tips! I appreciate it very much.

[@krystleli3643]

Wow! So glad I found you Leah! One of my goals is to become more handy, and I have a feeling you're going to help me achieve this goal! I recently moved into a house where all the doors do not close, so this is going to be a fun project I am going to attempt with your instructions. Looks like a lot of work, but I think I can do it!

[@ninawilliams7609]

Great information. How do you fix a door where the latch seems to be not close enough for the tongue to click? This is door swing open with the slightest air.

[@CrankyPantss]

Thanks, Leah. You made it look easy enough for anyone to tackle.

[@declanmoran1894]

Another good one leah. Thanks & Merry Christmas .

[@SnakeAndTurtleQigong]

Thanks so much! Love from Snohomish! 🥰

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Great video, what about interior doors that will close but not latch anymore? Having that problem in a relatively new house now in a few of the doors, thanks!

[@seejanedrill]

Sounds like a strike plate adjustment is needed.

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

@@seejanedrill Will research that thanks! Enjoy your channel, learn a lot!

[@sheilawalford2709]

Thanks for the great explanation and instruction.

[@willabancroft5825]

Hey Leah, I love your videos. I bought my first condo a few months back, unfortunately all of my interior doors are currently cheap hollow cardboard doors. The door to my bedroom does not shut, I think it may be the hinges. How do you determine the issue, I can probably rule out swelling right?

[@seejanedrill]

It's a matter of a process of elimination.

[@wilburosgoodwormsley]

You can also get a piece of 2×4 and a hammer and hit the hinge side of the jamb you might have to recaulk the trim but it works well if you cant plane the door

[@skirwan78]

Awesome video , could you do a video on planing and chiseling? as a follow up?

[@Tim-57]

You are the best Leah. 😊

[@tinoarreguin8850]

Thanks for the video, that will help with my garage door. However my bedroom doors don't close or stay closed, could that be because the Hodges are cut to deep in the door?

[@Faddidaddi]

Hello, Leah Merry Chritmas I have a saggy window but its not because of the hinges, the window itself is droopy, is there a way around that?

[@seejanedrill]

Is it a window with a weight and rope?

[@Faddidaddi]

@@seejanedrill No it's the plain door-like window with the hinges on the side

[@gizmo7877]

I have hollow doors and I painted them and only then did the doors swell so now it won’t close. Would I use the same method to fix this problem as you would a solid door?

[@caliguladeux]

Thanks Leah

[@jofoster2144]

You are the best I love your videos they have helped me many times thank you.

[@marytaylor1187]

Great video! Leah, do you know what makes the hinge pin blackout?

[@SpykersB]

Lol, too much rum? What do u mean blackout?

[@hoppas77]

@@SpykersB lol maybe she meant back out? When I tried to type backout spell check changed it to blackout. Funny thou ;)

[@SpykersB]

@@hoppas77 ooohhh, yeah that makes more sense. Only noticed this happening once, it took a few years of mild use of a door when I notice a doors pins had moved up. If it happened a lot on a door being regularly used I would be wondering if the hinges were bent somewhere causing it to shimmy up every time the door was used? But I have never encountered that severity so don’t know. 🍻

[@TheJamie109]

Wow you really changed your intro up. Haha. Another great vid. Glad to see ya goin. Super excellent explination, loads of insight, consice. Every time you impress me with your knowledge. Thanks!

[@leesmith5419]

Excellent information

[@robbiemer8178]

Another excellent video! That may help me with a door in my house. That door closes fine in the summer months--well anytime when my furnace doesn't run--but once the cold weather sets in, the door will not stay closed. Well, it will stay closed but not latched. So, your video seems to point to what's happening: the door is shrinking slightly in the winter and that is making the latch too far from the strike plate. Which means, I think(?), that the strike plate is too far from the latch. From watching this video, it seems like I should shim the strike plate in the jamb to fix this? Or, am I missing some other/better way to address this? Thanks, as always, for giving us great info!

[@seejanedrill]

Strike plate, yep.

[@Outsideville]

Mom hired some bad contractors and all her exterior doors have issues. I'm not experienced enough to fix them, yet. With Leah's help, I'll get there.

[@melodeeplath9597]

I have learned so much from her 💞💞💞 She's awesome🌹

[@nelsonkieffer6514]

can you tell if the swag on a hanging door is correct without removing the hinge?

[@LazyScoutJace]

OMG this was amazing and exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[@aliciasackett8826]

Thank you for another great fix

[@sharonloves]

Simply amazing! Thanks again😘

[@evanwain1471]

I love her channel

[@lechatbotte.]

Wow as always a gem!! Merry Christmas

[@seejanedrill]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@alward9901]

For sloppy or loose door hinges I use golf tees . Just hammer them in and rescue . If the golf tee is too tight drill out with 1 /8 drill bit . You curt the head of the tee first .

[@joeobrien196]

Would also be a good idea when the door is off to check to see is the bottom of the door painted. Moisture can get into the door that way. The top can be checked anytime.

[@MichaelR58]

Good informational video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@dolasfudge705]

Hi Leah! I have a door whose frame on one side seems to have settled so that the top of the door frame is not level and binds the door before it closes. Then, I have another door whose wall had to be rebuilt due to water damage and the door frame on the latch side is not vertical so the door will not close. Any quick fixes in mind? I hate to plane the doors so they are no longer square and the errors would make that painfully obvious. Thanks for your videos and any suggestions that you may have.

[@patrimadny212]

I have the same issue!

[@elained9591]

Good Morning Ms. Leah! I wanted to share a lesson learned whilst working for a small residential painting company. We had a job working in an older home built in the ‘20’s or 30’s, here in the South. The woman who owned the painting company insisted on us painting the tops and bottoms of the old wooden doors which had never been painted prior. My Dad had taught me not to paint those areas of the doors but the woman who owned the company said they’d be easier to dust,. Summer and Southern humidity came, the woman who owned the house called the company as none of the doors that were not previously painted on tops and bottoms would close. We had to remove the paint and the doors were able to breathe, I guess, and began closing correctly. Would this be a correct assumption?

[@belindagray3005]

My front door swelled like that one summer except it was shut when it happened. I could not open it. Had to go out the back door around the house one daughter turned the knob and me, my son, and other daughter had to shoulder push and kick the door open, then I planed it. They were 10, 8, and 6. Still talk about the time we had to bust our way into the house to get out. LOL Fun times. :)

[@hornet718]

Great video, THANK YOU!!!

[@NatureRocks.]

Another awesome and helpful video...what would we do without you?

[@FJ80Coop]

After going on a search last year I've found that finding a good quality hand plane is getting nigh impossible unless one orders them online... A power planer is the bomb and easily found these days at any box company location but has a learning curve if one isn't familiar with them and planing... Go small and in very minute increments until you've mastered yours...

[@magiccarpetride1829]

Thank you, because I have two like that

[@oldskoolwayy]

Definitely needed this video

[@johannessordfarne4553]

Thank you!

[@edfowles5096]

Your great Leah!