A door that won’t close properly is a pretty big deal, and something that you’ll want to get fixed pretty quickly, otherwise your entire home could be left vulnerable to unlawful entry. Whether it’s a loose or misaligned hinge, or a hole in the strike plate, you should be able to tell what’s causing the problem. If you can’t, however, ask a licensed locksmith to come out and inspect the door, diagnose the problem, and fix it for you.
If one of your doors isn’t closing properly, here are a few things you can look for as the cause:
Door hinges –if your door is sagging when you try to close it, or you can see some loose screws, then the issue may lie with the doors hinges.
Door latches – if your door makes a grinding noise when you’re trying to close it, the latch could be the culprit.
Door jambs – does your door get stuck or scratched when you try to open or close it? If so, try checking whether the upper or lower corners of the door may be misaligned, causing the problem.
Fixing any of these problems is relatively easy with a few simple tools, but only if you’re able to diagnose the problem yourself, of course.
To keep your door operating normally, follow these tips:
- Keep the locks lubricated
Spraying a lubricant into the keyhole and deadbolt at least once a year is a simple thing you can do to help keep your locks in good working condition. Try to use a dry lubricant rather than a liquid one, as these can collect dirt and potentially make the problem worse over time.
Note however, that locks are only ever as secure as the door itself, so if your door isn’t closing properly or isn’t sturdy enough to prevent someone from being able to get into it with force, you’ll need to seek help from a residential locksmith.
- Ask a locksmith to assess the door and locking system
If you have any concerns over the security of your door or locks, always seek help from a licensed locksmith, who can point out any potential problems or vulnerabilities, and upgrade or repair your door as necessary.
If your door still won’t close properly after checking for the possible causes listed above, don’t waste any more time trying to fix the problem; call up a residential locksmith (if they offer an emergency 24 hour system, they’ll be able to reach you at any time of the day or night) to keep your home protected at all times.
