How To Fix Sagging Doors - Easily Align And Square Your Doors Using Shims

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Well, the heat is already starting to creep up here in South Texas and one of the first signs that the weather is changing is that our doors tends to creak or just binds up. I noticed that my door to the garage is a little bit harder to close and upon close inspection, I noticed that it is not aligning properly. It has a bigger gap at the bottom and getting narrower on top and the opposite on the other side..bigger gap on top and narrowing at the bottom.
Now, how to fix this short of taking off the door, is to first tighten the hinge screws and if it doesn't work, then we need to use a shim on the bottom hinge so as to push the bottom side of the door to the right. When we put a wooden shim on it then it will hopefully look like this... from this to this..hopefully, we can realign the door and get it as square as possible to the frame.
Background Music: "Carefree" Kevin Macleod

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Опубликовано:

11 май 2017

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Комментарии : 184

@jessicajones6995 Год назад

I can’t tell you how long I have been fighting with my sagging front door. A strong north wind would blow it open. I tried replacing screws and bending hinges none of that worked and took a while for me to do. Your hack was so fast and easy and it finally fixed my problem! Thank you for showing us not so handy people how to fix what was a big problem for me.

@annahall8943 3 года назад

We used steel washers backing out each of the 3 screws one at a time then sticking the screws through the hole in the washers.

@justanonymouse 2 года назад

Oh I like this idea. Not that a slightly visible shim is horrible to notice but this seems like it’d be completely hidden.

@DivaInTheWoods 4 года назад

I'm not the master carpenter that many of the commenters are, so I appreciate this very quick and easy fix! I appreciate all their suggested substitute shims though. I just needed the concept demonstrated in a BRIEF video. Thank you for this!

@laly3947 5 месяцев назад

Thank you soooooo much! This video helped us fix our door. We had tried other videos and nothing was working, we almost gave up till I came across this video.

@LifeHackster 5 месяцев назад

Great to hear!

@Luv_Anika 4 года назад

I really like the way you showed the art and craft diagram of the door. Thumbs UP for that.

@JDela-le2kp 5 лет назад

Loved the demonstration about the shift of the door, good job! Doesn't claim to be the best fix but its a great option

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

Thanks.

@DoofyChemical 6 лет назад

Hey man, just wanted to say thanks. I just happened to have some spare shims and this fixed my sagging door all in about 5 minutes.

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

You are more than welcome. My door is still pretty square to the frame since the fix.

@smartautocollision822 3 года назад

The way you draw on the paper it makes it very easy for me to adjust the door I watch couple video I don’t understand but when I watch your video I fix my washroom door thank you very much

@kingtut6619 Год назад

Great illustration. However, who wants to see the shim showing like that?

@alihaidari2453 3 года назад

so easy, I did it in 5 min- thanks for sharing your skills, and no part of my shim is visible !

@johni6138 3 года назад

Saved me going to buy a new door. You are the man, thank you!

@sporty05 3 года назад

Worked perfect for my door thank you! I simply brook off the exposed shim.

@allenl.1452 Год назад

The sagging door problem in my house is finally fixed. Thank you very much.

@Bknowledge 4 года назад

Thanks for making this video. I used this technique to re-align a bathroom door.

@wallydee.4887 3 года назад

Had exact same problem and solution worked exactly as good in the video!

@amyshaw444 3 года назад

This hack has been a life saver for me...thank you!

@midnight_yota 3 года назад

Thank you so much for the simple direct explenation! Helped me a lot!

@ChristopherB711 Год назад

Thanks from Canada 🇨🇦. I’ve been living with this problem all summer, but will fix this weekend‼👍🏻 🍻

@skottydawg987 Год назад

THE BEST video describing how to fix this issue. Thank you!

@AceDublB 6 лет назад

I would never leave a shim showing like that, very rough looking. Use some washers, pennies, etc. to shim the hinge along with a few 2 1/2” screws.

@Ironbuket 4 года назад

Washers, I never thought of doing that. Great idea, thx

@thurm101 4 года назад

Good idea also. Both will work just fine.

@TravelingSolo 4 года назад

I use washers under the hinge if I know it is a permanent adjustment. In a case where a house is actively moving with the seasons and may fall back out of alignment, this method will allow the shim to be removed quickly.

@TheGooglyminotaur 3 года назад

I didn’t even watch the video. Read this comment and put two washers behind the bottom, on in the middle. Et voila! This door has been a pain in my rump for years... during the winter only. B Baker saves the day! Thank you!

@OptifixPrime 2 года назад

@@TheGooglyminotaur k

@j.k.j.j.k.j.99 6 лет назад

Thats called a hinge push. Great job. Pro tip: use one longer screw in each hing to keep it from sagging again. And in your case it will close the hinge side a lil bit and in return open the striker side a lil bit.remember to torq each long screw evenly so the reveal is equal on both the hinge and striker side.

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

Thanks for the info. The fix is still holding strong even with the change in weather lately...

@Imcuddely1 Год назад

To everyone saying this is a "Janky" fix, you have no idea what you're talking about. You have all 100% positively used more doors than you can count that have been shimmed out to the point there is a good chance you use one everyday and don't know it. The only difference between this and a high dollar union carpenter doing commercial buildings is that we hide the shims better.

@NOT_A_TOP_FAN 5 месяцев назад

The janky fix would be listening to some idiot who shouldn’t be making videos and to try and bend your hinges and then mar them up and still not get a good result. Been there, done that.

@sandsuperman1 3 года назад

I don't comment or like as a rule, but your method worked so you get both! THANK YOU!! I tried the method of bending hinges, but it goes back after a couple weeks. This wont sag over time - awesome stuff!

@FernandoPerez-fj9sq 4 месяца назад

It works!! Thank you. Tried several orther hacks after watching other videos but the shim trick did it! Gracias, amigo!

@darkegress4392 4 года назад

Excellent teacher, the theory is the most help, even if other types of shims are preferred by some. :-)

@telias713 3 года назад

Thank you for this. Had issues with my keyless dead bolt not lining up perfectly with the door jamb. Realized that over time, the door had sagged and the shim on the lower hinge did the trick. Door has never worked better.

@SniperTrader2023 9 месяцев назад

Wow that's so easy compared to every other method I've seen, had my door fixed in like 5 mins.

@basedchris8784 4 года назад

Thanks a lot modified this and used washers so it’s not visible and I figured it out!

@LifeHackster 4 года назад

cool..thanks.

@ynagpaul 6 лет назад

Wonderful description to remedy the sagging problem. Thanks for sharing.

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

You are more than welcome.

@kimcase9 3 года назад

thanks so much I have a one inch gap at top .. will fix today!! sweeettt thanks!

@eagle1111oo 4 года назад

Nice and easy, talk and work clear and fast save a lot time, very good performance

@mzsexidreadz 10 месяцев назад

Thanks, finally found something relatable and doable

@marklefler4007 4 года назад

better is to use a small stack of old plasic cards (old hotel cards work). The are hidden behind the hinge and not as visble as an unpainted chunk of wood.

@aelshesh 2 года назад

Excellent solution.

@frisko6445 Год назад

Hell yeah doing this to my door tomorrow...thanks !

@lauriedean2581 Год назад

Thank you! Excellent. Easy to follow.

@toniapalmero7233 5 лет назад

I agree with B Baker, I'd use washers, or something that doesn't show...

@suzannebunnell1938 5 лет назад

Perfect, took less then 5 minutes. Thank you.

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

You are welcome.

@geographicalkd5673 6 лет назад

thank you it is really a nice video with beautiful idea

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

Thank You.

@sahibaspeaksof8771 4 года назад

I Love your arts and crafts. 👌

@dookiewu 23 дня назад

This was well made, thank you!

@contidozack 2 года назад

We need more house fix tips like this because I live in Houston

@BurtBowers 3 года назад

I bought plastic shim cards @ ace hardware for couple dollars for the interior doors they had three hole pattern now needing a four hole pattern for the exterior door they can be ordered online dont think ace carries the four hole shim cards.

@aarongray503 4 года назад

So my problem is the door to the garage has a large gap on right side where handle is and barely enough to fit a paper through where hinges are. It closes and opens but letting in hot air. 🤔

@ImNewbeh Год назад

Thank you for this video , helped me a lot !

@samoanirwin 3 года назад

One of the best videos on this topic to adjust the reveal (spacing) around a door. Thank you so much!! / Mucho Gracias 🙌🏾💪🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@spudslayer 6 лет назад

Thank you so much for the simple and informative video. You are what make RU-vid great!!!!!

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

Thank You. I appreciate it.

@thehangryrider Год назад

Worked like a charm 👍

@rod426 2 года назад

Are you just leaving the part of the shim exposed in the hinge area? That will bother me if I did that

@shanegarcia7057 4 года назад

There should be a class in school that teaches you basic stuff like this

@llamacebu216 4 года назад

AG Shop class

@scrappy93 2 года назад

Don't need a class.

@pagalhokya 2 года назад

There are classes, but they're electives and most kids are running after math, science, and technology. I took a class in high school that taught basic wood working and small engine construction.

@jeffreyhurst7231 6 месяцев назад

Plain old paint stirring stick worked for me. I was skeptical at first but it did the job, not pretty but effective and simple to do.

@spaaggetii 5 лет назад

Great video, what would you suggest if the screws are just spinning loosely and the bottom right side (opposite of hinges), are scrapping and hitting the outter door frame? I don't have a plane to scrape it. If I get bigger screws will that work? I want a cheap fix as it is not my house and the occupants will not reimburse much if buying tools etc is involved. I just want some safety. Front door is the same also (I'm referring to the back door).

@andypitz1 5 лет назад

spaaggetii Man if the screws are spinning like that you might try removing them and putting a few toothpicks in the hole before screwing them back in. Also, larger diameter screws probably would not fit the holes in the hinge, so trying longer screws of the same diameter might work.

@diirtburns 4 года назад

I use golf tees to fill sloppy holes. Just pound one in and break it off flush. Then drive your screw back in.

@herewegofans 6 лет назад

Cut beer cans for great shims. Or washers, pennies, etc. I like the cans cause you can make very small adjustments to make 100%

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

Great idea. Thanks for the tip.

@georiv2834 4 года назад

Dont they sell door hinge shims

@domgreco9438 2 года назад

Seems like a pretty ugly way to shim a door and wont work if the door is a little too tight to start with. I prefer to keep old hinges (or a spare one, they are cheap enough) and I cut an identically sized hinge in half and place the cut half under the current hinge so that you cannot see the shim. Its by far the neatest way to make this type of adjustment. other options would also be to dig out the top hinge deeper or just shave the side of the door. It will always depend on how much gap there is in the door...you should always aim for 3mm gap on the sides and 5mm gap on top and bottom. You may also need to alter the middle hinge if there is one or risk warping the door.

@learningisfun6327 3 года назад

Thank you!!

@lauramilligan226 2 года назад

Thanks so much!

@kyleselz5912 3 года назад

And just keep the shim in the door?

@tac73 6 лет назад

Another way to go, would be to use a Knuckle Bender, to adjust the hinge(s). Amazon sells them.

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

That should work too...

@DjsArtistRep 5 лет назад

@Moon Pie I Fixed it :-) With a set of vice grips after removing the pin. Worked like a charm. Thanks for that pro tip.

@DjsArtistRep 5 лет назад

GREAT INFO - I googled Knuckle Bender and read the reviews. One reviewer was angry because he ordered it and they sent him a set of vice grips.I looked at the picture and the knuckle bender looked like vice grips. Moon pie said he used an adjustable wrench so I tried my vice grips. It perfectly aligned my $2000 front entry door. The door has skylights so screwing longer screws was not an option. Thanks Dan and Moon Pie....genius

@thaurane 4 года назад

just looked up knuckle benders on amazon and the only one that is under $20 has complaints of it being so cheap it breaks on first use. All the others are $60+

@B.SPENCE1995 6 лет назад

Omg thanks so much this was super helpful in helping me fix door you rock 😁😁😁😁

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

You are more than welcome. My door still holding strong after the fix.

@proanswers 5 лет назад

bend - crescent wrench the hinge rework your pin. This is an unacceptable way to use wood shims (which compress). The hinge side is the working side of a door- thus its where your adjustment takes place with door gaps, etc excluding lock strike plate adjustments

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

Thanks for the tip. Unacceptable or not.. it still works since I upload his video :)

@BA-de4pn 5 лет назад

I need that music! What's the name of that tune?

@Akash.Chopra 4 года назад

Awesome!

@patriciariley6548 5 лет назад

Does it make a noise when you open and close it

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

Nope. No noise.

@Cocoa.Tresbelle 10 месяцев назад

Thanks that was so helpful, you got a new sub 😂

@timbowers8965 2 месяца назад

Good video, Tinkerbell music.

@bryansnaylor 2 года назад

Thank you

@Cynsome1 3 года назад

Ty very much.

@oddassembler 8 месяцев назад

My door is tight on both of the top sides and loose on both the bottom sides 😢

@wulfclaw4921 5 лет назад

Thanks, man ! W

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

You are welcome.

@derkiy2100 5 лет назад

Wouldn't leaving the shim be an eye sore for visiting friends and relatives?

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

True, but it is not noticeable.

@proverbs2927 4 года назад

Der Kiy I’m willing to bet the only people who will really even notice it are the carpenters and person who actually did the work. Average person isn’t going to see it. I know I wouldn’t notice it.

@jonathanluis4966 4 года назад

Wish I would of seen this before taking action on our bathroom door and causing a crack to spread wider and now no longer able to hold the door in position properly

@Tumbleweed-vh4pt 4 года назад

There is a video on RU-vid that demonstrates a way of aligning doors by a hinge bending process that is actually used by carpenters

@rob8821 3 года назад

Yes very effective You can use a adjustable wrench or there is a special tool you can use but expensive Around 40 bucks

@racerx1326 3 года назад

Just use a crescent wrench to bend the top hinge back. Easier.

@kenziecashflow 2 года назад

It bends back over time

@globetrotter8556 3 года назад

Adjust the flaps of your top hinge and bring the top part of the door closer to the frame. That way the bottom right of the door would rise away from the floor.

@Yzzami 3 года назад

I can’t lock my back door. Unlocked it once and rip. It was fine at the start of the year

@jacobbarnhart3992 4 года назад

I recognize the end app for that Rogue Bella Barbell. Hello fellow garage gym owner👌

@LifeHackster 4 года назад

Thanks..

@franklong6269 2 года назад

You door was hung too "tight." The trim carpenters did not allow enough gap space when the door. You can tell this because you should have about an 1/8" gap on the doorknob side of your door and you do not. Your fix may cause the door to bind on the doorknob side over time. The permanent fix is to pop off the trim (save it to reuse it) and pull the existing shims. You then rehang the door and insert new shims. Allow an 1/8" or so all around the door and you won't have any problems in the future. Hope this helps - I have hung a lot of doors.

@blueskies6475 3 года назад

That was awesome! Thanks a lot!

@WaywardgtBlogspotGT 6 лет назад

Conceptually sound, but follow-through/application not so much. IMO, one should pop off the trim and shim between the jamb & frame, on that big of a gap. Way too much of a shimming for visible side, and the entire hinge was not shimmed; cosmetic & structural deficit results. Great quick fix tho...

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

Thanks.. I know..this is more of a quick fix...

@REVerbtalk 5 лет назад

Not every single door that's uneven needs to have a mess made everywhere order to PLUMB a door. This is just as professional as racking up labor that's not needed. I have 4 to do and this is exactly how I'm doing it but I'm pulling the top hinge, Chisel out the hinge mark some and bring it back to the door to plumb it back.

@johnstewart5689 5 лет назад

I don't want to know how to rig it I want to know how to fix it

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

That rig still works...

@knockda887 3 года назад

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb 5 лет назад

Why not just use a crowbar and jam the hooked end into the wall - would be faster and look just as professional...

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

That is a good idea...thanks. ;)

@wehatejeremy8837 3 года назад

Good 0:00/4:39

@ScottysChev 5 лет назад

That's not really the way to fix it properly. I'd rather remove the top hinge screws and put longer 2 1/2 screws to hit the framing and try to move the top of the frame in some.

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

Good idea...but this little hack is still working for me without any issues.

@DjsArtistRep 5 лет назад

I can't use longer screws because of the sidelight panels

@hurt3989 4 года назад

My bedroom door has gotten so bad that i cant even close it

@shastakennmpx17 6 лет назад

My works too. Used woodprix handbooks and build it with no problems.

@LifeHackster 6 лет назад

@user-tr2dh4xx6u 4 года назад

Wont work for my door, it somehow shifted to the right enough to where the door can't even close, adding a shim to straighten it will just make it worse

@mst4745 Год назад

A helpful video but leaving the broken shim showing looked pretty messy - there must be a better way of doing it than that.

@E.Carrillo 2 года назад

The problem is, I don't want a big piece of wood sticking out of the door. I will bend the hinges maybe...

@kingrichards3000 3 года назад

This video should be called... How it have a ghetto door.. Doit

@LifeHackster 3 года назад

Sure.. just for you..

@kingrichards3000 3 года назад

@@LifeHackster cmon dude that gehtto.. No?

@LifeHackster 3 года назад

@@kingrichards3000 you know that ghetto you are talking about is still working..I haven’t had issues with my garage back door ever since...ghetto for you..worked for me..

@kingrichards3000 3 года назад

@@LifeHackster but it's ghetto.. Cmon

@TT-dp8qh 4 месяца назад

That fix was a cut corners. You need to learn how to fix it properly!

@LifeHackster 4 месяца назад

LOL...hey you know what, this door is still FIXED..and this video was years ago... I guess cutting corners was the fix after all.

@piquat1 2 года назад

Your door is square. Your door frame is not square. Pull the trim off and re-shim the framing so it's square again then rehang the door. The hinge is another problem but it won't fix your trapezoidal door opening.

@keithb4007 5 лет назад

that is one of the jankiest fixes I have ever seen. I would never pay you for that dude. I would never advise someone to do a fix like that.

@LifeHackster 5 лет назад

Lol..this jankiest fix still works...

@thurm101 4 года назад

Hey buddy it works just fine. Who is going to be inspecting your door anyway. Good video.

@pamdavis9077 Год назад

For an older woman who’s got sagging doors I think that’s a great idea. He doesn’t have the time or the strength of the money to pay someone to take the door off. I can’t wait to try!

@FIRE0KING Год назад

Shimming is the normal practice for squaring up a door. Sure you can get higher end metal or plastic shims that hide in the hinge but it'll do for Beginners

@rayneedaebluz Год назад

It's the only thing i found that would work on one of the rental doors, although I chose metal over wood, mainly because on average (for me) rental properties go through doors and/or framing over most anything else. **What's jacked up is how someone could watch an awesome instructional video and feel the need to be commenting "Jankiest" along with other useless breath sounds, instead of scrolling on or creating their own upload if they know so much. Words are not useless breath sounds, they are powerful and can change a life in an instant, choose wisely not haunting echoes Let it be There's a thought

@jasonsheedy1852 3 года назад

wait what you left the shim in the door thats stupid lol, you can just adjust the knuckles and it will fix the problem without the unsightly shim

@cornfusedatbest6693 3 года назад

Sure, but don't forget how many people watching this video will be happier than a pig in poop they won't have to use a shower curtain anymore!!! XD I'm guessing this video is basically for college kids ... hence the term "LifeHacker."