Old doors can be prone to a variety of problems due to age, wear and tear or even environmental factors. In this article we cover common door problems including:

• Squeaking doors
• Rattling doors
• Swinging doors
• Sticking doors 
• Latch issues
• Other common door problems

Put things right by diving into our top tips and handy video tutorials which we’ve curated all in one place. We’ve also included some super simple door maintenance advice to help you get the most from your doors.

Squeaking doors

Why is my door squeaking?
A squeaking door is not only annoying, but it can be a sign of underlying issues. The squeak is usually caused by friction between the door and the frame or between the hinge parts.

How to fix a squeaking door
Make sure the door is closed and place a nail under the hinge pins and tap on the bottom. This will knock the pins out partially. Using oil of any kind (yes, even vegetable oil) lubricate the raised pin. Open and close the door a few times – repeat on all hinges until the squeak has stopped.

Best ways to fix squeaky doors tutorial

Rattling doors

Why is my door rattling and what do I do?

This is caused by a gap between the doorstop (a part of the frame) and the door which is providing excess room for the door to move around in.

When you find the door rattles when closed in its frame, slightly adjust the latch plate the door latch sits against. This will hold the latch a bit tighter which might be enough to stop a door rattling when closed.

The tab that sticks into the latch plate hole can be adjusted by using the top of a screwdriver to bend it slightly towards the stop. It’s as simple as that – test it by closing the door and seeing if it rattles. If that doesn’t work, try using self-adhesive foam pads to fill any gaps. 

Failing that, try moving the door stop (the thin piece of wood in the frame that stops the door) so the fit gets tighter. This is the most difficult fix to get right, but it’s also the most elegant solution. With the door closed, hold a piece of wood against the doorstop. Hammer the wood to move the door stop until it touches the door, then secure into its new position with nails.

Fix rattling doors fast tutorial

Swinging doors

Why does my door hit the wall?
This is a misalignment issue. The simplest solution to this common problem is getting a door stop installed. The most common type of door stop is one that can be attached to the skirting board that has a solid or flexible stop and a rubber cap that comes into contact with the door. Fitting a doorstop is an easy and quick task, so don’t be afraid to give it a try.

How to install a doorstop tutorial

Why won’t my door stay open?
If you have a door that swings closed when it’s been left open or that swings open if you’ve pulled it ajar, the chances are your door jamb is out of plumb. That means the door jamb that the hinges are fastened to is slightly wonky. It’s this not being vertical which is causing the hinges to lean slightly one way or the other which means the door will swing.

If the door has always swung, the jamb could have been installed slightly off vertical in the first place. If the problem has developed in the past few years or months, it can be caused by the settling of the wall or floor, sometimes the entire will be off jamb if it has settled.

How to fix a swinging door
Having problems with swinging doors? The easiest way to check if the door jamb is at fault is by testing it with a weight hung at the end of a length of string (a plumb line).

• Close the door and hold the plumb line against the upper hinge
• Make sure the string is not quite touching either of the hinges, the weight should be a few inches off the floor so it can hang freely.
• If the hinges are not directly above each other or if the jamb of the door isn’t vertical, it will not be in line with the string.
• If the hinges aren’t exactly above one another, fix the swinging door by realigning the door hinges.

How to fix door that swings closed by itself
Correct the problem by moving either the top hinge leaf closer to the door stop moulding or by moving the bottom hinge further away from the door stop moulding.

Fix a door that won’t stay open tutorial

How to fix door that swings open by itself
Fix the problem by moving the hinges closer together. Moving the hinges means you’ll have to unscrew the hinges as they are and drill new holes for the hinges. Make sure you fill the old holes.

Fix a door that won’t stay closed tutorial

Sticking doors

How to fix a sticking door
If you have a door that sticks, the first step to solving the problem is to determine where the door sticks. Take a step back from the door and you’ll probably notice a place in the frame where the door frame is either too close or too far apart from the door. How you fix the problem will depend on what you find when surveying your door…

Different types of sticking door issues

Sticking/No Gap on the Top Edge
This happens due to settling and changes in the door frame itself. The easiest way to fix this, rather than adjusting the door frame is to trim the door. You’ll need to mark the spot where the door sticks on the jamb, remove the door and use a block plane to trim the door.

Sticking/No Gap on the Latch-Side Edge
This might be caused by loose screws in the top hinge plate. Tighten them if they are loose, as that will be causing the door to hang lower than it should be. If you can’t tighten the screws, then replace them with new ones. Make sure they’re larger to make up for the holes that have become warped over time.

Sticking/No Gap on the Bottom Edge
This happens when the lower jamb of the door pulls loose. Remove the jamb and screw it on again, this will make it tighter and the door will hang higher, taking away the sticking problem. Afterwards, use glue or a toothpick to get these holes filled.

Latch issues

Why doesn’t my door latch properly?
Another common door problem is that the latch may not stay shut when you latch it. This makes closing or keeping the door shut hard work, which isn’t great news if you have little ones or pets to keep inside. Door latch issues can be because the latch is misaligned, worn out, loose or faulty. 

How to fix a door latch
You can replace the latch set, which is an easy job. You’ll only need a screwdriver, a spare half an hour and a new latch plate set which you can pick up in any large DIY shop.

The second option is to enlarge the hole in the strike plate. This usually occurs when a door has settled over time and is far easier to fix using this method than replacing the door jamb. Use a small mill file to file away at the strike plate until it becomes large enough to accommodate the latch.

How to replace an interior door latch lock tutorial

Other common door problems to look out for

Fix a sticking door
Over time wood can warp or shrink causing the door to sag or rub against the frame and make it difficult to open and close smoothly.

Fix loose door hinges
Hinges bear the brunt of a door’s weight and movement, so they naturally loosen up over time. This can cause the door to sag, swing unevenly, or even come off the frame entirely.

Fix draughty doors
Old doors often have worn-out weather stripping (the seal around the edge of the door that keeps out drafts and noise). This can make your home less energy-efficient and let in unwanted cold air so it’s vital to draught proof your home before winter rolls around.

Door maintenance tips that help prevent door problems

Take good care of your doors to extend their lifespan and keep them functioning smoothly for years to come. Use our tips for preventing problems with old doors:

• Regularly inspect your doors for any signs of wear and tear
• Address any problems promptly to prevent them from getting worse
• Keep your doors well-maintained by lubricating the hinges
• Repaint doors regularly and replace any worn-out weather stripping
• Consider using a dehumidifier in your home to prevent wood from warping
• Regularly check painted doors for peeling and wooden doors for rot and damp

Maybe it’s time to buy new doors?

Remember, most door problems can be fixed easily with basic DIY skills and tools. In some cases, you may need to call a professional. Especially if the door is badly damaged or if the problem is complex.

Our best advice? When you’re ready to buy doors online opt for high quality designs that come with a comprehensive guarantee from a trusted supplier. Hey, that sounds like us.

Discover the best value doors when you shop from our internal doors collection. Order doors online speedily and securely for super-fast nationwide delivery or contact our team for a quote.