How to Stop a Door From Swinging Open
Updated: Apr. 19, 2024
Here is a simple hack on how to keep a door from opening on its own.
Time An hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
CostFree
Introduction
We'll show you a simple fix that will keep interior doors from swinging all the way open if you leave them slightly ajar. It's an annoying problem with an easy solution that you can do yourself. All it takes is bending the hinge pin.
Tools Required
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Small screwdriver or nail
Materials Required
- Brick or other strong and flat surface
If you have an interior door that swings all the way open every time you leave it slightly ajar, knocking you right in the behind, it means that the door isn’t plumb. This happens for a variety of reasons. Maybe the door frame was built crooked or has settled crooked over time. Or maybe the hinges have come loose, making the entire door hang crooked.Â
You don’t need to take the door down and disassemble everything to fix it. Instead, try this much simpler fix that you can do yourself.
Project step-by-step (5)
Tighten the hinge screws
The first thing you should try is tightening the hinge screws. In most cases, it is the screws on the top hinge that will need the tightening. If the hinge screw holes are stripped, try using a screw with a larger diameter or longer length. You can also repair stripped holes by gluing toothpicks or a small dowel into the hole, allowing it to dry, and reinserting the screw.
Remove the door hinge pin
When the door is closed, use a screwdriver or nail and a hammer to tap out the middle hinge pin. To do this, insert the screwdriver into the bottom of the hinge. Then tap the butt end of the screwdriver with the hammer. The pin should pop out of the top.
Bend the pin
Grab the pin with pliers on one side and hold it over a strong, flat surface, such as a brick or block of wood. Hold the pin at an angle, then hit it in the middle so it bends. The bend should be slight.
Reinsert the pin
Reinsert the pin into the hinge by tapping it from the top with a hammer. Check the results. Repeat the process with the lower hinge if the door still won’t stay closed.
FAQs
Why would a door swing open?
It is most common for the hinges to be misaligned or the recessed door hinges to be set to deeply into the frame. By bending the hinge pin, it is possible to fix it quickly without having to determine the cause of the problem.
Why does my door open by itself?
This might take some investigating. An older home’s latch may be worn or the change in humidity may cause the door to shrink, thereby allowing it to unlatch. It is also possible that the hinges are loose and need to be tightened or the screws need to be replaced.
Can moisture cause doors not to close?
A wooden door is prone to absorbing moisture, and the door is likely to expand in hot, wet months. Consequently, the door may stick to the frame or not fit properly. To solve this problem, take a hair dryer to it. Applying heat will help the water evaporate into the air, allowing the door to settle back into place.
Originally Published: January 29, 2019
