how to fix a door that rubs at the bottom

How to Fix A Door that Rubs at the Bottom: 4 Simple and Easy Methods

Have you ever felt bothered seeing a door that does not fully shut? Sometimes, people can be rude, but other times, it may be because the door is rubbing at the bottom. While you can ignore this by just pushing the door until it locks, this can cause more damage to both the floor and the door itself. Don’t wait until you’re left with a door that doesn’t do its job anymore. Learn how to fix a door that rubs at the bottom with these 4 simple and easy methods.

How to Fix A Door that Rubs at the Bottom 

A door that’s rubbing against the floor can be caused in different ways. Of course, these all call for various solutions to bring back that smooth swing. Carefully assess the door and gather the needed tools as advised.

Method 1: Secure a Loose Hinge

A loose hinge is the most common cause for rubbing doors. This is easily noticed as the nails are pushed out, which you can fix by simply screwing them back into the hinge tightly. However, if the door weighs down and the hinge becomes weak again, it’s best to replace the screws.

What you will need

  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • 3 inch (or 7.6 cm) screw
  • Wood glue or epoxy if the hinge is loose

Step 1. With your screwdriver, remove all the loose screws.

Step 2. If the door hinge has also come loose, remove it and apply the adhesive. Reattach the hinge and let it dry completely. You can skip this step if your hinge is secure.

Step 3. Tightly screw the bottom and middle screw.

Step 4. On the topmost hole, drill deeply into the hinge with a 3-inch nail.

Step 5. Insert the 3-inch screw and screw tightly.

Method 2: Add a Door Shim

This is an extra step for a loose hinge, but it’s usually a fix for retracting doors. Door shims are also an easy fix if the loose hinge problem keeps recurring by adding additional reinforcement to the hinge.

What you will need

(Add these tools together with the list from Method no.1)

  • Cardboard cutout or store-bought door shim, either works fine.

Step 1. Carefully remove the screws and door hinge.

Step 2. Measure the length and width of your door hinge to match with your cardboard cutout. Shape the cardboard accordingly to make your shim. Skip this step if you are using a store-bought door shim.

Step 3. Apply adhesive to the hinge and firmly press the shim behind it. Apply glue to the shim as well and attach it to the jamb. Let this dry completely.

Step 4. Drill in the holes and secure the screws. Use a 3-inch screw for the topmost hole.

Method 3: Drilling the Latch Side of the Jamb

The jamb is the side of the door frame where you usually install the latch. This method is suitable if the rubbing happens on the latch side of the door. By using this method, you give the door more space as it meets the latch to avoid rubbing.

What you will need

  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • Countersink Bit
  • Wood filler
  • Sandpaper

Step 1. Locate the area on the jamb where the door should align when it rubs.

Step 2. With a countersink bit, drill into the middle point of the jamb. Add more holes to fit the latch.

Step 3. Sand down the drilled surface and lower area of your jamb.

Step 4. Apply wood filler to the holes and install the latch. Your door should look slightly raised from the floor now.

Method 4: Plane Cutting the Edge

If your door not only rubs but also gets stuck halfway open, the edges of the door might be deformed. The only way around this is to uninstall the door completely and reshape the edges by using a planer.

What you will need

  • A Circular saw, either a table saw or hand saw works.
  • Planer
  • Measuring tape
  • Screwdriver
  • Screws
  • Drill
  • Wood glue or epoxy

Step 1. Uninstall the door. Remove the screws and hinge carefully.

Step 2. Lay the door flat on a desk and begin to measure along with its height, the tip, and its base. Draw a straight line across the edges as your guide to cut and plane.

Step 3. With a circular saw, begin to cut along the edge as you’ve measured.

Step 4. Next, run the planer along the edges to fix the alignment.

Step 5. You may use a sanding machine to further refine the surface.

Step 6. Reinstall your newly planed door, tightly screwing in the hinge.

Conclusion

A rubbing door is a common household problem that is overlooked. However, ignoring this can lead to bigger problems in the future if left unrepaired, destroying the door frame and denting the floor. Nonetheless, you can easily learn how to fix a door that rubs at the bottom with the right tools and tips to help you out.


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