Replies

1. 
   woodguy99 | Jul 16, 2005 03:35pm | #1

   Foley, if you put a level against the hinges, they should be close to plumb (vertical) in both directions.  There are a variety of ways to fix the problem.  The easiest is to back out one of the jamb screws and replace it with a 3" screw.  You can also take off the hinge and chisel out some wood so the hinge will sit deeper, but you have to be careful not to overdo it or the door will bind when it closes.  Shimming out the hinges, either on the jamb side or the door side, with some card stock is a time-honored trick.

   You may also have to adjust the door in or out of plane with the wall.  To do this, unscrew the hinge, carve a piece of pine into a tapered shape and pound it into the screw holes.  Using the hinge as a template, predrill new holes at the new hinge location.  You may have to move the hinge out a 1/4", so the new holes will be 1/4" away from the old ones. 

   Once you get the hinges close to plumb, you may have to shave the door down a bit.  Using a straightedge with a circular saw, then planing or sanding smooth is probably the best way.  If you've moved the door a lot you may have to move the strick plate up or down.  Sharpen those chisels and go to work!

   On another note, I would be concerned that you have had enough movement to throw doors that far out of whack.  Have you had an engineer evaluate the situation to ensure your house isn't going to continue to move?

    

   Mike

1. 
   foley | Jul 16, 2005 06:04pm | #3

   Mike,

   Thanks for the good information.  yes we have had engineers and had to install a support I beam and replace "soft" wood columns with steel in the basement. So the movement has stopped.  It is only this one door that slowly swings closed unless it is doorstopped. Like it is "tipping" in towards the hallway.  My inclination is to shim the bottom hinge against the frame and plane accordingly is needed.  I will get the level out and get started.

    

   Thanks,

    

   Foley

1. 
   mikeys | Jul 17, 2005 04:22am | #4

   I second bend the hinge pin. 

1. 
   PaulBinCT | Jul 17, 2005 04:43am | #5

   3rd hinge pin vote.  Take it out, lay it on a hard surface and give it a rap with a hammer.

2. 
   MikeSmith | Jul 17, 2005 04:47am | #6

   in Nathaniel Hawthorne's house... the one associated with the "House of the Seven Gables".. all the doors are self-closing... it was built by ship carpenters.... they always hung them out of plumb to make sure they would close themselves...

    think of it as a feature....

   might even fetch a higher price when you sellMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   EricPaulson | Jul 16, 2005 05:40pm | #2

   Bend the hinge pins and re install.

   Saw it here.

   Eric

   I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

   With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

   [email protected]

3. 
   piko | Jul 17, 2005 08:24am | #7

   Another + for bending hinges ... hit them about 1/2" from the top(you're getting more info on this each posting, eh). This causes the hinge to bind slighltly. Try 1 hinge first, then the others as nec., as it also makes the doors stiffer to move.

   ciao for niao

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.