Any tricks for Leveling Doors?

[acqflisu]

Need some new approaches. I have a few doors in the house that won't stay closed. The doors have sagged and the latches don't line up with the strike plate.

I've tried long screws in the top hinge to pull the top closer, but no effect. I would need to pull off the trim and basically reset the door frame. This may be my last resort.

I've tried to bore out the strike plate, but the sag is too great.

I've tried some cardboard underneath the lower hinge to give it some lift, but can't get enough before it pushes against the door frame.

Any other ez fixes?

 

[illinoiscyclone]

 

[Acylum]

How old is your house and what level(s) are the doors on? Not trying to scare you but your problem may not be the doors.

 

[acqflisu]

How old is your house and what level(s) are the doors on? Not trying to scare you but your problem may not be the doors.

20 year old house. 1 door on main floor, 2 on the second story. 20 doors in the house and 3 with this issue. There has been some settling that contributed to it, but hasn't settled further over the last 5 years or so.

 

[Acylum]

All three were okay at one time? When you pull the doors closed are they tight against the door stop on both sides and the top? If the latch side drops usually the top corner on the latch side will start to rub on the jamb. One of the easiest things to try is to make sure all the hinge screws in the door and jamb are tight. Even one or two loose ones can cause problems.

 

[mganzeveld]

When I finished my basement I had one door that wouldn't level because the floor under it wasn't even. I finally gave up on using levels because when the frame was level the door wouldn't shut. I needed a new approach. I shut the door in the loose frame and wiggled the door around until the door itself matched up perfectly inside of that frame and the door closed perfectly. While the door was level all the way around in the frame, I used small brad nails to temporarily hold it in place so I could get all the shims in. Good luck! I finished my whole basement and I found the doors to be the most frustrating.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Of course, you may have to rip the door down to get the door open again, but it'll keep it closed...