How to Rehang a Sagging Door | Easy Guide for Beginner
A sagging door can be frustrating, causing it to stick, scrape the floor, or not close properly. Rehanging a door. With this guide we have you covered on everything!
1. Check the issue (Obviously)
- Open and close to clearly identify where it is sagging or rubbing.
- Check all the hinges, screws, and alignment of the door frame to locate the issue.
2. Tighten Loose Hinge Screws
- Sagging often happens due to loose or stripped hinge screws. Check again
- How to Fix:
- Use a screwdriver to tighten all screws on the hinges.
- If screws won’t tighten because the holes are stripped, replace them with longer screws (2-3 inches) that can grip deeper into the door frame.
3. Check the Hinges for Wear
- Worn-out hinges can cause the door to sag.
- Remove each hinge (one at a time) and inspect for damage, bending, or wear.
- Replace damaged hinges with new ones of the same size.
4. Shim the Hinges
- If tightening the screws doesn’t fix the sag, you may need to adjust the door’s position slightly using shims.
- How to Shim:
- Remove the screws from the top hinge.
- Insert a thin cardboard shim or plastic hinge shim behind the hinge plate to push the door slightly upward.
- Reattach the hinge with the shim in place.
5. Adjust the Door Position
- If the door still sags, gently lift it to align it properly:
- Have a friend hold the door while you loosen the screws on the hinges slightly.
- Realign the door into the correct position.
- Retighten the screws while keeping the door level and aligned.
6. Plane the Door (If Necessary)
- If the door continues to rub against the frame or floor, you may need to shave off a small amount of material.
- How to Plane:
- Use a pencil to mark where the door is rubbing.
- Remove the door from the hinges.
- Use a hand plane or sander to remove a thin layer of wood from the problem area.
- Sand the edges smooth and repaint or reseal the surface.
7. Rehang the Door
- Once adjustments are made, reattach the door to the hinges.
- Open and close the door several times to ensure it swings smoothly and no longer sags.
8. Final Check
- Ensure the door latches correctly and sits evenly within the frame.
- Tighten all screws one last time to secure the hinges.
Pro Tip
Make sure to use longer screws this can be a massive help for any minor miscalculations and will help with wear and tear for future.