TimG
12-31-2012, 12:04 AM
So I am having some issues with my front door.
This winter something has been shifting. I don't know if it is the door sagging opposite the hinges or the frame shifting up on the lock side.
Basically the deadbolt has become *extremely* hard to lock or unlock unless I lift the door knob up while moving the dead bolt.
I have gone in and filed down the metal lock plate by a few mm and removed some of the wood with a chisel so the deadbolt moves nice and smooth, but then within a few hours it gradually starts to feel tight again and then we're back to having to lift the door while locking and unlocking.
I have also tried tightening the top hinge but that didn't really do anything.
There are no signs anywhere else inside that the wall is shifting... No cracks in drywall seams or anything.
Any suggestions? Is my only option to keep making the hold for the deadbolt larger (I have only made it bigger by about 1 or 2 mm so far) or a I going to have to shim the lower hinge to re-angle the door?
This hasn't been a problem until this winter... Like the last 2-3 months. The house is about 13 years old.
If it makes a difference, the door is south facing and has an overhanging roof.
This winter something has been shifting. I don't know if it is the door sagging opposite the hinges or the frame shifting up on the lock side.
Basically the deadbolt has become *extremely* hard to lock or unlock unless I lift the door knob up while moving the dead bolt.
I have gone in and filed down the metal lock plate by a few mm and removed some of the wood with a chisel so the deadbolt moves nice and smooth, but then within a few hours it gradually starts to feel tight again and then we're back to having to lift the door while locking and unlocking.
I have also tried tightening the top hinge but that didn't really do anything.
There are no signs anywhere else inside that the wall is shifting... No cracks in drywall seams or anything.
Any suggestions? Is my only option to keep making the hold for the deadbolt larger (I have only made it bigger by about 1 or 2 mm so far) or a I going to have to shim the lower hinge to re-angle the door?
This hasn't been a problem until this winter... Like the last 2-3 months. The house is about 13 years old.
If it makes a difference, the door is south facing and has an overhanging roof.