wtf is the best way to fix my front door?

[zixxer]

my front door is too low. it's not like the handle-side is too low.. the entire door is like 1/4 inch too low. This means I can't really re-drill the hinge higher because it's not THAT low

 

[iamwiz82]

Does that mean that every screw has dropped or the door was not installed properly?

 

[zixxer]

well, when I first looked at the house the door was fine. However, the foyer (right inside the door) floor was all scuffed up. The previous owners had the floor replaced.

I'm assuming whomever fixed the floor removed the door, and now it's fscked up.

 

[MX2]

Pics?

 

[Ornery]

Wow, an excuse to buy a new power tool!

Scribe the door bottom where it will be cut to reduce splintering.

 

[zixxer]

hah I just bought a dewalt 18v circular saw/hammer drill kit.


And the door isn't sticking. It's a PITA to lock the deadbolt and the 'flip lock' doesn't line up. there's also a gap along the top of the door.

 

[bctbct]

Chances are this is caused by settling. The earth moved and one side of the door jamb moved with it.

You can try to flood the ground with water on the low side

Or buy an oversized latch plate (sq. opening will be longer in height)

You can file out the existing strike plate to accomodate the movement

I would not cut the door because it will eventually return to where it was...and then you have the same problem but backwards.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: zixxer
hah I just bought a dewalt 18v circular saw/hammer drill kit.

And the door isn't sticking. It's a PITA to lock the deadbolt and the 'flip lock' doesn't line up. there's also a gap along the top of the door.

You sure it isn't sagging? Run some really long flat head screws through the hinges and into the jack studs underneath, replacing the current ones. Draw 'em up good & tight.

Edit: Maybe that side of the rough frame did settle. Unless you can shim it back up again, you'll have to reset the hinges on that side.

 

[zixxer]

100% sure. I think it 'may' have been sagging before, and the person that removed the door correct it (probably by shimming the hinges?) whatever happened, the door is completely level, as is the doorjamb and frame.. the door is simply lower than it should be.


another possibility is that the deadbolt, handset, and flip lock were installed while the door was hung improperly.. or something?