Front door getting hard to close

7 years ago

My front door has not been closing too easily in the last few weeks. I now have to pull it shut with a bit of effort. I'm concerned it might get bad and I won't be able to close it at all.

I read when this happens the hinges could be loose. The hinges are painted over. Two of them are covered with a strip of metal on the frame side. The hinges that I could access seemed tight, except a couple of them were stripped.

There is also a strip of insulation around the edge of the door. Some is falling off.

The door is at the bottom of a stairway. Rain used to get in and wet the floor. A handyman installed a new storm door and did a bit of work on the threshold. Rain doesn't seem to be getting inside anymore but is still smells musty. Could this past dampness affect the ability of the door to close?

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Comments (5)

millworkman
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Something is still swelling and or moving. Either the door or the frame. You need to determine which and why.
whatstheanswer thanked millworkman
whatstheanswer
Original Author
7 years ago
How do I figure that out? What kind of repair person fixes doors?
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toxcrusadr
7 years ago
Carpenter. Hopefully one who's good at windows and doors, and repair/remodeling rather than only new construction.

It may be as simple as re-setting the frame, but in this case since you had moisture coming in, there could be rot, swelling, settling etc. around or under the door. The molding needs to come off and the threshold to see what's going on under there.
whatstheanswer thanked toxcrusadr
whatstheanswer
Original Author
7 years ago
My handyman says he's good with doors. Do you think he might be able to handle it or is a specialist (carpenter) needed?
toxcrusadr
7 years ago
As long as he is looking for the cause and not just putting band-aids on it, sure. In other words removing trim and looking underneath, rather than, say, trimming wood off the door so it fits again. The frame is obviously moving for some reason and that needs to be investigated.
whatstheanswer thanked toxcrusadr