The most neglected piece of hardware on any door is the hinge. More specifically the hinge screws. There have been countless times when I had to repair a door that would not close properly before I could re-key the locks or install a deadbolt. Most of the time all I do is tighten the hinge screws and the door swings and latches like like the customer has never seen. Some hinge screws were never installed, but most of the time the screws are very loose from neglect. If you have a door that needs an extra shove to close or open try tightening the hinge screws before you replace the door or the locks.

Heavy wood or steel doors may rub the door frame even after the hinge screws are tightened. The weight of a swinging door can bend, or deform the top hinge causing the door to sag. Another culprit to deforming the hinge is the janitor who shoves his or her mop handle into the hinge side of the door to hold the door open. This will cause immediate problems with the door closing properly. A sagging door will rub on the door frame or the threshold. This rubbing will prevent the door from self-closing and latching if there is a door closer on the door. If there is no door closer a sagging door will create an inconvenience to employees or customers who have to pass through the door way. The door will be hard to open and most likely left ajar. All the buildings heat or air-conditioning will escape resulting in higher energy cost. Not to mention the liability if someone gets hurt on a door not functioning properly.

There is a tool for adjusting or bending the top hinge so the door will fit square in the frame again. The tool is called the “Hinge Doctor,” and is made be GKL Industries. There are three sizes, commercial, industrial and prison type hinges. The Hinge Doctor is not made in a size for residential homes. To use the Hinge Doctor the tool is slid over the top hinge while the door is closed. Open the door until you feel the resistance of the tool stopping the door. Now pull or push the door about 6 inches past the resistance point. Close the door and remove the tool from the hinge. Test the swing of the door, it should swing without getting stuck on the frame or threshold.

The Hinge Doctor is a temporary repair on heavy high traffic doors. These doors will eventually sag again from the weight of the doors constant pull on the top hinge. In these situations I use a piece of hardware called the Surface Mounted Pivot. After the door is re-aligned, the Pivot is installed on the door and frame to assist the hinge in supporting the weight of the door while the door is swinging. I have installed the Surface Mounted Pivot on schools, banks and any commercial door which gets high pedestrian traffic. Usually the Surface Mounted Pivot will solve the sagging door problem for many years. Sometimes the mounting screws can come loose and servicing is required, but this is rare.

Before you purchase a new door or locks to correct a door that is hard to open or close, check the hinges. You will be surprised how tightening a few screws can resolve many door closing issues.