door trouble

[Jim]

Is there any way to fix an exterior door that's out of alignment? It sags and won't latch and stay closed. I tightened the hinges but that did no good. Is there any way to fix it short of buying another door?

Jim

[marcia07]

We've been looking at used manufactured homes and a couple had this problem....salesperson said it was because the home wasn't properly leveled...though he assured us that if we bought the house it would be ...I really don't want to make it sound like this is your problem but it's worth an ounce of your thought if nothing else.

[Jim]

Thanks for replying. My home could need leveling. I don't know. It's a '95 Skyline and has been sitting on the same lot for 12 years. I fixed the problem, though, by the taking the door off, laying it on the ground and squaring it up. Then I put clamps on it to hold it in place while I put it back on. It's working all right -- for now anyway.

Jim

[jeffdcarlson]

Most door alignment problems in Manufactured huomes is due to improper leveling, or damage to the dor or frame. If the frame and door appear to be free of damage or rot, you should check the leveling.

As a second option, I have found on occasion this can be caused by someone putting one of their block points on the frame directly inline with the door. They sould be put to one side or another.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

[admin]

"Normally, when a home becomes unlevel, you'll be able to find more than one tell-tale sign. For instance, more than one door will stick or swing, or a window won't shut or latch properly." - From the free article Is your manufactured home unlevel?

Doors of all types of all types can develop closing and latching problems over time. When there is a problem with an exterior MH door some times the entire home needs to be releveled and sometimes you need to just relevel the door. This can be accomplished by installing a pier of stacked blocks under the low side with a pressure treated shim on top so you can tap the shim in till the door is level and closes correctly.

Many times the problem can be resolved by adjusting the latch hardware on the fixed side of the door jam. There is usually a plate over the hole that the door hardware slides into. This plate is usually installed with screws in slotted holes so it can be slid up or down to meet the door catch.

If your door is sagging badly releveling or adjusting may not work. I have seen exterior door hinges become bent out of shape from children hanging/swinging on the door as it opens and closes, adults leaning on the door handle over and over while standing in the door way talking to neighbors, door slamming, abuse by pets, or just simple age/time appropriate ware.

Replacing an exterior door is not a difficult job. You can find replacement parts easily and inexpensively at Mobile Home OnLine Parts Store

If your looking for a book that covers all facets of manufactured home repair take a look at The Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade. The purchase price represents a small fraction of what you would have to spend on contracting out repairs! Also available as an E-Book for instant download

[sunni]

In the table of contents, I don't see anything mentioned about doors. Does the book actually have info on doors?

[rmurray]

Found this on this book.....

Table of Contents

FLOOR AND BELLY REPAIR

Underbelly repair & replacement.
Dead rodents - finding & removing.
Rotten floor - repairing & replacing.
Installing a laminated floor.
Replacing a cross-over heat duct.

SIDING, WALL AND WINDOWS
Paneled wall makeover - make your walls look like textured sheetrock.
Defining load bearing walls.

HERE Windows and Doors YOUR QUESTION ANSWERED


Vinyl siding installation tips.
ROOF AND CEILINGS
Ceilings.
Metal roof maintenance -- stop the rattling, seal it from leaks.
New Roof - upgrading to an inexpensive metal roof.
Installing a ceiling fan.
PLUMBING
Plumbing add-ons -- fixture shut-offs, accessible main water shut-off, outside faucet.
Installing new waterlines.
Replacing a water heater.
Bathroom remodel.
Heat tape, eliminate or replace.
Washing machine, minimizing the floor vibrations.
Thawing a frozen waterline or sewer pipe.
Winterizing drain and waterlines.
EXTERIOR
Releveling a mobile home.
Building a basement overview.
Installing pier footings.
Skirting - installing block, rock, vinyl, metal and insulated skirting.
Anchoring.
Adding onto your manufactured home.
HEATING AND COOLING
Building a solar heating panel.
Furnace Troubleshooting -- gas and electric
Air Conditioning Maintenance including swamp coolers.
QUICK TIPS
Quick Tip solutions for:


Installing gutters.
Sweating windows.
Ceiling spots.
Floor squeaks.
Hanging pictures on thin walls.
Dead outlets.
Door-knob holes in walls.
Cleaning up mildew.
Fixing a loose wall outlet box.

... and much more !!

[mackwabir]

Yes, there are a few steps you can take to fix an exterior door that is sagging and won't latch properly:

Check Hinge Screws: Ensure all hinge screws are tight. If they are loose, replace them with longer screws that reach into the door frame's stud for better support.

Shim the Hinges: Use thin cardboard or wooden shims between the hinges and the door frame to realign the door. This can help adjust the door's position to improve alignment and latching.

Adjust the Strike Plate: If the door still doesn't latch correctly, adjust the strike plate on the door frame. Move it slightly inward or outward to align it with the latch bolt.

Inspect and Adjust the Door Frame: Check if the door frame itself is square and not warped. If it's warped, you may need to adjust or replace parts of the frame.

Consider Professional Help: If these DIY methods don't work, consulting a professional door installer or carpenter may be necessary to assess and fix the issue effectively.

These steps should help realign your door and improve its function without the need to replace it entirely.