Why won't my door close properly?

Door not closing: why it happens

Most doors that stick, rub or refuse to latch share one simple cause. HDB's gate and door care guide says a door that is hard to open or close usually has loosened hinge screws, especially on the top hinge. Once those screws work loose, the door can drop and rub against the frame, and the latch no longer lines up. HDB's fix is to tighten any loose screws and oil all locks, hinges and other moving parts.

The usual signs of a door sagging hinge are a door that rubs at the top corner, needs a firm push to close, or only latches when you lift the handle. If you notice any of these, check the hinges before you blame the lock or the frame. Tightening a few screws is a much smaller job than replacing either.

Fix a jammed door step by step

If your door jammed or began to stick recently, work through the hinges first. You need a screwdriver that fits the screw heads snugly and a little lubricant.

1. Check each hinge. Open the door fully and test the screws on every hinge with your screwdriver, starting with the top hinge.
2. Tighten the loose screws. Turn each loose screw clockwise until it is firm, supporting the door with your other hand.
3. Oil the hinges and lock. Apply a little oil to each hinge and to the lock mechanism, then open and close the door a few times to work it in. Wipe off any excess.
4. Close it and check the latch. Shut the door gently and check that the latch clicks into place without a push. If it still rubs, go back to the top hinge.

If the screws are firm and the door still sticks, the cause may be the frame, the door or the lock. A handyman offering door and window repair can check all three. For kitchen and wardrobe doors, see our guide to cabinet hinge repair.

Gate bolts that will not slot in

HDB's gate and door care guide says gate bolts that cannot slot in or retract properly come from wear and tear of the bolt, or from rubbish in the bolt hole. HDB's solutions are to clear the rubbish from the bolt hole and to repair the flush bolt, replacing it where necessary. For regular care, it suggests applying lubricant to a bolt that is too tight and removing dirt and solid particles trapped in the bolt hole.

Start with the bolt hole, since it is the easier fix. Pick out grit with something thin, such as an old toothbrush, then lubricate the bolt and slide it in and out a few times. If the bolt is bent or still catches after cleaning, it may need repair or replacement. If the gate lock itself is the problem, see gate lock replacement.

The main door closer

HDB says all fire-rated doors at the entrance of HDB flats have a door closer, a self-closing safety device that must not be removed. Its gate and door care guide explains that the closer keeps the door closed in a fire so smoke and fire stay inside the unit. If your main door closes too fast and slams, or will not shut on its own, the speed control may be out of alignment. HDB's fix is to turn the speed-adjusting valves and tighten the closer's screws, and to replace the closer if fluid leaks from it and the door cannot shut on its own.

If the door itself needs replacing, HDB's building works guidelines say replacing a main entrance door or frame along a fire escape route needs an HDB permit. The replacement must be half-hour fire-rated, the frame must have a self-closing device and the fire-rated door must have an accreditor's label. Compare options on our fire-rated main door page.

When to call a handyman, and what it costs

Call a handyman when:

• the door still drops or rubs after you tighten the hinge screws
• the frame or the door is warped or swollen
• the lock itself is faulty, not just stiff
• the door closer leaks fluid and the door will not shut on its own

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published door and lock rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published door and lock rates from 4 companies run from S$50 to S$120 per job (middle rate S$60), for one door or lock. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 5 published door and lock rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Handyman Service Hero	Lock repair	S$50 to S$120 per job	handymanservicehero.com
Repairhome.sg	Door handle repair (excluding lock)	S$60 per job	repairhome.sg
SG QuickFix	Door Repair	From S$60 per job	sgquickfix.com
Quick Repair SG	Digital lock / locksmith services, from	From S$80	quickrepair.sg
Wefix4U	Gate and door installation	From S$120 per job	wefix4u.sg

5 companies publish a door and lock line. 4 of them price it per job, and their published rates run from S$50 to S$120 per job. The middle rate is S$60 per job, printed by two companies, so it is a real published rate. The fifth company prints digital lock and locksmith services from S$80, printed without a unit. Scope as printed is one door or lock. For other jobs, see our handyman rates.

If the lock is at fault, see door lock replacement. To compare, browse handyman companies.

Questions