Fix Gap On Latch Side Of Door

Measure the gap under the low side of the floor.

Fix gap on latch side of door.

If it binds on the latch side at the bottom you may need to fix the bottom hinge screws. This job can be a hassle especially if you have painted trim. One two three the gap is so big that the latch will not catch in the jamb so when the deadbolt isn t engaged the door won t stay closed. Place a level on the floor and level it.

A binding door may need to be planed but often simpler repairs will solve the problem. Move the hinges down on the door by the width of the gap minus 1 8 inch. A properly installed door features a 1 8 inch gap along the latch side to allow the door to swing and function correctly. The correction for this would be to raise the hinge side left or cut off the latch side right.

Measure the width of the gap then remove the door from the jamb and take the hinges off the door. The door is probably touching the side jamb at the top of the door leaving no gap at all. Reducing door gap in a latch side. If the gap on your door exceeds this.

The side where the lock is. The installer should have adjusted the frame with shims to leave about a 1 8 in. Be careful not to overdo it and seal the door so that it can t settle with the rest of the house. Fill in the notches where the hinges were with thin pieces of wood.

Sometimes the gap is far too wide. Tighten the screws or repair the screw holes. If you have a large gap at the bottom of your door that may be helping the door to stay plumb. Apply slow but moderate lifting force on the door knob.

In this picture notice how the gap is larger on the latch side of the door. If you have gaps around an outside door you could be losing up to 15 percent of the money you spend heating your home by allowing heated air to blow outside. The new door is snug against the frame on all sides except one. Here are some pictures of the problem.

To readjust the door frame you have to remove the trim along the latch side to get at the shims. If the gap between the door and the jamb is large and consistent the door is mounted too low in the jamb. Gap along the latch side about the thickness of two quarters coins. How to fix a gap in an outside door.

Look to see if the top door hinge on the door. This is the amount you need to cut off the high side of the door jamb.