Repair Interior Doors, Hinges, and Latches

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: one non-rated interior door corrected for binding, sag, rub, or latch failure, with hinge attachment repaired or replaced as required, reveals adjusted to a uniform measured tolerance, strike plate aligned to the verified latch-bolt travel, and a documented diagnostic and corrective record.

B. Component Schedule

Component	Quantity	Material	Finished Condition	Preparation
Hinge	Per existing hinge count (typically 2–3)	Matching size, thickness, corner shape, pin, and rating to the original	Tight leaf-to-leaf action, no play at the pin, full screw seating	Verify hole pattern against jamb mortise before ordering replacement
Hinge screw	Per hinge (typically 2–3 per leaf)	Matching head and drive type to existing hardware	Fully seated without stripping or protruding	Verify length will not contact concealed utilities or split the jamb
Strike plate	1	Matching finish and mounting pattern to existing hardware	Strike opening aligned to latch-bolt centerline and travel	Install only after door alignment is verified
Strike screw	2 (typical)	Matching head and drive type to existing hardware	Fully seated without stripping	Verify length appropriate to jamb thickness

C. Material Takeoff

• Hinges: quantity equal to the existing hinge count on the door, matched for size, thickness, corner shape, pin, and hole pattern; do not substitute a different corner radius or leaf thickness.
• Screws: hinge and strike screws matched to the existing head and drive type, in the verified length identified during diagnosis.
• Strike plate: one unit matching the existing finish and mounting pattern.
• Finish materials: wood filler compatible with the door finish for any accepted stripped hole; lubricant compatible with the hinge and latch hardware.

D. Fastener and Hardware Schedule

Joint	Fastener/Hardware	Length	Head/Drive	Qty per Joint	Direction	Pilot Hole	Seating Condition
Hinge leaf to jamb	Hinge screw matching original head and drive	Verified during diagnosis; long enough to reach solid framing without contacting concealed utilities	Matching original	2–3	Perpendicular into jamb mortise	Pre-drilled to the diameter specified for the screw and jamb material	Flush with the hinge leaf, no play at the pin when cycled
Hinge leaf to slab	Hinge screw matching original head and drive	Verified to seat fully in the slab mortise without splitting the edge	Matching original	2–3	Perpendicular into slab mortise	Pre-drilled to the diameter specified for the screw and slab material	Flush with the hinge leaf
Strike plate to latch jamb	Strike screw matching original head and drive	Verified to reach solid jamb material	Matching original	2	Perpendicular into jamb	Pre-drilled to the diameter specified for the screw and jamb material	Flush with the strike plate, full latch-bolt engagement confirmed after installation

E. Diagnosis (Steps 1–8)

1. Identify the door type, core, size, swing, jamb, stop, casing, hinges, latch, strike, floor clearance, and any fire, smoke, security, or accessibility function. Record every item on the Door Identification Record before proceeding.
2. Exclude fire-rated, smoke-control, egress, exterior, garage-separation, security, or specialty doors unless their approved repair requirements are provided. If the door is excluded, stop and refer it per the Chapter 1 risk register; do not proceed with this chapter's procedure.
3. Operate the door slowly and record binding, sag, rub, latch failure, hinge noise, floor contact, frame movement, and seasonal evidence. Cycle the door through its full swing at least three times and record the exact location of each symptom.
4. Inspect the slab, jamb, head, threshold or floor, stops, hinges, screws, strike, latch, casing, and surrounding wall for movement or damage. Record each observed condition and its location.
5. Measure reveals at the hinge jamb, head, latch jamb, and floor. Record each measurement at the top, middle, and bottom of each jamb using the Measurement Cue method.
6. Check jamb plumb, head level, frame square, hinge alignment, and wall movement. Record each reading and note any deviation exceeding 1/8 inch (3 mm) over the height of the jamb.
7. Determine whether the cause is loose fasteners, stripped holes, bent hinges, hinge wear, paint buildup, swollen material, frame movement, flooring change, or latch misalignment. State the identified cause in writing before selecting a correction.
8. Correct active moisture, structural movement, or frame settlement before adjusting the door. If any of these conditions is confirmed or suspected, stop and refer per the Chapter 1 risk register; do not proceed to Section F until the referral is resolved.

F. Hinge Correction and Rehanging (Steps 9–16)

1. Support the door before removing hinge screws or pins. Confirm a second person or a stable prop is in place before releasing any hinge hardware.
2. Tighten sound hinge screws without stripping or overdriving. Test each screw for solid engagement; if a screw turns without tightening, treat the hole as stripped and proceed to the next step.
3. Repair approved stripped screw holes or replace screws only with a verified length that will not contact concealed utilities or distort the frame. Fill an accepted stripped hole with compatible wood filler, allow the manufacturer-specified cure time, and re-drill a pilot hole at the corrected diameter before installing the new screw.
4. Replace damaged hinges with matching size, thickness, corner shape, pin, rating, and hole pattern. Confirm the replacement hinge's leaf dimensions and hole pattern match the existing mortise before installing.
5. Mortise or shim hinges only through a controlled adjustment that preserves leaf support and jamb strength. Do not remove more material than needed to seat the hinge leaf flush, and do not shim a hinge in a way that leaves a gap under any screw.
6. Rehang the door and remeasure reveals. Record the new reveal measurements at the same locations used in Section E and compare them against the acceptance standard in Section H.
7. Plane, sand, or trim the slab only after hinge and frame causes are resolved and only within the door manufacturer's allowable limits. State the manufacturer's allowable limit for this specific door before removing any material, and remove material in controlled, verified passes rather than a single aggressive cut.
8. Seal any exposed wood edge as required by the door finish system. Apply the specified sealer or finish to any freshly planed or trimmed edge before closing out the repair.

G. Latch and Strike Correction (Steps 17–22)

1. Inspect latch-bolt travel and mark its relationship to the strike opening. Close the door slowly and mark exactly where the latch bolt contacts the strike plate or jamb.
2. Adjust the strike position only after the door is aligned. Confirm the reveal measurements from Section F meet the acceptance standard before adjusting or relocating the strike.
3. Repair approved strike-screw attachment and install a matching strike plate using suitable fasteners. Install the strike plate specified in the Fastener and Hardware Schedule, verifying full seating and correct orientation.
4. Verify the latch fully engages without lifting, pushing, or slamming the door. Close the door using normal closing force and confirm the latch bolt seats fully in the strike opening.
5. Adjust door stops only where required and without preventing latch engagement. Reposition a stop only enough to eliminate rattling contact, and confirm the latch still engages fully after any stop adjustment.
6. Clean and lubricate hinges or latch components with a compatible product where specified. Apply lubricant only to clean, dry hardware and wipe away any excess before testing.

H. Testing and Documentation (Steps 23–25)

1. Cycle the door repeatedly from both sides. Open and close the door at least ten times from each side, using normal operating force, and confirm consistent, quiet, unobstructed operation.
2. Inspect reveal uniformity, hinge security, latch engagement, strike attachment, floor clearance, stop contact, pinch points, sharp hardware, and finish damage. Record the final measurement at every location checked in Section E and compare each against the acceptance standard.
3. Document the original cause, adjustments, replacement hardware, and any residual building movement requiring referral. Complete the Door Repair Record below and file it with the project documentation established in Chapter 1.