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Door Stopper dilemma

6 years ago

My toddler pulled out the door stopper from our powder room. I reinserted it and he did it again - 2x. Now the baseboard is looking cracked and widened and so much sawdust has come out of the hole that I'm sure it's stripped.


I bought a magnetic door stopper and the same screw in type as well. Not sure how to go about fixing this if the hole is stripped. Should I try to seal the hole with something first? What can I do about the bad looking baseboard area now? I'm less concerned with that and more about getting some type of door stop solution in there before the door gets slammed so hard I have a door knob hole in the wall and a bigger problem.

Comments (12)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Hinge door stop. Re sealing the hole, depends on you and the landlord.


    FWIW, a block of wood or box placed on the floor works too.

  • 6 years ago

    I like this style that mounts on the wall behind the door knob.

    This style doesn't get in a tangle with the broom.

  • 6 years ago

    Either solution above will work fine.

    For fixing the baseboard, it depends on what it is.

    From your description I'd guess that it's probably painted MDF, which is basically a somewhat harder grade of cardboard. In that case, you can fill the hole with spackling compound from the hardware store, sand it smooth, prime, and paint with a matching color.

    If the baseboard is woodgrain (either real or fake), you can fill the hole with wood dough (the usual brand is Plastic Wood), and smooth it with a vinyl-gloved finger. When it's set, touch up with a wood stain pen of appropriate color.

  • 6 years ago

    A wooden toothpick, or two, or three...can be inserted in the hole. Break it off flush. Then screw the doorstop back in.

  • 6 years ago

    If a toddler was able to rip the doorstop out, it's likely that the baseboard is MDF. In that case, it'll probably just happen again. That points to Cilantro's and Jim's solutions as better. I'd just patch the hole, and not try to re-use it for the doorstop.

  • 6 years ago

    Well, fixing the hole and replacing the door stop will not work as long as the toddler pulls on the door stop.

    There are alternatives designed for the OP’s situation. Remove the problem or continue to repair when necessary.

    I think the door knob cushion is a great idea. I used hinge stops. I have also temporarily used a wood block, sold as a door stop.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I looked around the house. I have hinge stops, a wood door stop, door stops with springs, and door stops screwed into the top of the door with a pad attached to the wall.


    Hinge stops are the most discreet. May cost from $2-5.

    I like the look of $20-50 knob cushions over $1 door stops.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks everyone! I returned the door stops that I bought from home depot that go on the floor because yes probably my toddler will continue to pull on them. I got a door hinge stop now will try that. I noticed on my master bathroom the hinge stop is actually denting the molding on the door though. I guess that means that one wasn't installed right from the previous owner? We own the home so now I'm thinking I need to re-eval the door stop mechanisms everywhere

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Re master bedroom hinge stop denting the molding: if not caused by you, the previous occupants may have been under the influence.


    How many times have you, not caused by the wind, lost control of a door?


    How often are your doors closed, where they have to be opened with enough force to punch a hole on the wall?

    My front door would have wind assist, I used a wood door stop.

    I think I replaced most of the baseboard stops for the reason ci lantro wrote, issues with housecleaning.

    Guess you are new to your home and family. It is all about common sense and experience.

    Best Wishes.

  • 6 years ago

    I had two of the hinge stops in my current house, both installed by a previous owner. One had dinged the door, the other hadn't. I've removed both. Might put one back. Still like the knob cushion type the best, but there are places where it isn't practical.

  • PRO
    6 years ago