Symptoms
- Door rubs or drags at the top outer corner
- Visible gap increases at the bottom near the hinges
- Door has become harder to close over time
Likely causes
- CommonScrews in the top hinge no longer biting into solid woodShort screws in a door's original installation often only reach the thin door jamb, not the wall stud behind it.
- CommonDoor weight gradually pulling the frame out of alignmentEspecially with solid wood or heavy doors, years of gravity can stress the top hinge.
- PossibleStripped screw holes in the hingeRepeated tightening over the years can wear out the screw threads.
- PossibleFrame itself shifting from house settlingBroader structural movement can cause sagging beyond what hinge adjustment can fix.
What to do
- Open the door and remove the top screw closest to the door edge from the top hinge (on the frame side).
- Replace it with a 3-inch wood screw, which will reach through the jamb and into the wall stud for a much stronger hold.
- Close the door and check whether the sag has improved; if so, consider doing the same for the other top hinge screws.
- If the sag remains, try the same longer-screw trick on the middle hinge as well.
- Check that the door still closes and latches properly, adjusting the strike plate if needed after the sag is corrected.
- For persistent, severe sagging, the door may need to be rehung entirely.
Tools and parts
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- 3-inch wood screws
3-inch wood screwsSearch: “3 inch wood screws for door hinge repair”
When to call a pro
Call a carpenter if the longer-screw fix doesn't resolve significant sagging, since the door may need to be rehung or the frame adjusted.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.