Symptoms
- Gap between the two doors when closed
- One door sits higher or lower than the other
- Latch or flush bolt doesn't line up
Likely causes
- CommonLoose or sagging hinges on one or both doorsHeavy doors put a lot of strain on hinges over time.
- CommonAstragal or overlap strip misalignedThe strip where the two doors meet needs precise alignment to seal and latch correctly.
- PossibleFlush bolts on the inactive door not extending fullyThe top and bottom bolts on the fixed door need to seat fully into the frame or floor.
- PossibleFrame or threshold settling unevenlyUneven settling can throw off both doors' alignment simultaneously.
What to do
- Check and tighten all hinge screws on both doors, replacing stripped ones with longer screws.
- Close the inactive door first and confirm its flush bolts extend fully into the top and bottom strike holes.
- Close the active door against it and check where the gap or misalignment occurs.
- Adjust the strike plate or astragal position slightly if the doors are close but not quite meeting.
- Check the threshold for wear or unevenness that might be causing the bottom of the doors to misalign.
- Test the doors through several full open-and-close cycles after adjustments.
Tools and parts
- Screwdriver
- Level
- Longer screws
Flush bolt replacementSearch: “door flush bolt set”
When to call a pro
Call a carpenter if the doors remain significantly misaligned after hinge and flush bolt adjustments, since the frame itself may need attention.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.