How to Repair a Storm Door

Storm doors take a lot of abuse from jumping pets and people constantly going in and out. If a storm door isn’t properly latched, the wind can catch it and rip it right off its hinges or cause misalignment that will prevent it from latching altogether. Even with ordinary use, in time, storm doors will sometimes start to sag, but you can repair these problems yourself. If your storm door needs repair, take a look at the following instructions on how to repair it. You’ll save a great deal of money and time by completing the repair without the help of a professional.

Sagging

A storm door that’s sagging doesn’t have to be replaced. You can repair it using a turnbuckle, wire cables, and sheet metal screws. Although this isn’t very attractive, it will repair the sag, and the wire will only be visible on the inside. Simply attach two wire cables diagonally from the inside near the hinge to the opposite corner with a turnbuckle joining them in the center. The turnbuckle in the center can be adjusted to tighten the wires and give the door the lift it needs. You can find these parts at most major hardware stores and home improvement stores.

It Won’t Close

If your storm door won’t close, the next strong wind might pull the hardware out of the frame and damage it beyond repair. To repair a storm door that won’t close because the edge is touching the frame, try tightening the screws that attach it to the interior jamb. This minor adjustment might be enough to realign the door and allow it to latch when closed.

A storm door that isn’t touching the door frame can be adjusted by turning the air-intake screw on the pneumatic device that helps pull it shut. If turning the screw doesn’t allow the door to close properly, the device might need to be replaced. Choose a high-quality replacement online or pick one up at your local home improvement store.

Loose Wooden Frames

If the frame of your wooden screen door is loose, replace the screen if necessary before you make the repair. Once the screen has been replaced, use wood glue to reattach the joints, and reinforce them further with small metal corner plates. After the glue dries, sand and stain or paint the door to make it look like new.