How we diagnose and fix sticking doors and drafty windows at the actual source of the problem.
Get a Free Quote (816) 539-5496Sticking doors, doors that won't latch, squeaky hinges, and doors that have started to sag in the frame are what we see most. Each has a different root cause, which is why we diagnose before we start adjusting anything.
Drafty windows, stuck or broken locks and cranks, torn screens, and cracked or failing glazing make up most window calls. A lot of these are quick fixes once you know exactly what's causing them.
For a sticking door, we check hinge screws first since loose ones are the most common cause. If the wood has swollen from humidity, we plane down the high spot instead of forcing the door shut, since forcing it just cracks the frame over time. For windows, we check the weatherstripping and glazing condition before assuming the whole unit needs replacing.
Old or cracked weatherstripping is behind most drafty windows and doors, and it's usually a far cheaper fix than people expect. Replacing it can make a noticeable difference in how a room feels in both summer and winter.
Severely warped doors, frames that have shifted from foundation settling, or windows with failed double pane seals sometimes need replacement rather than repair. We'll tell you honestly if that's the case instead of patching something that won't hold.
Sliding doors that stick or jump the track usually come down to worn rollers or debris built up in the track itself. We clean the track thoroughly and check roller condition before assuming the whole door needs adjustment or replacement hardware.
A hazy or foggy look between the panes of a double pane window means the seal has failed and moisture has gotten trapped inside. This isn't something that can be cleaned away, it means the insulated glass unit itself needs replacing, which we can often do without replacing the entire window frame.
Storm doors take a lot of abuse from wind and slamming, which loosens hinges and closer mechanisms faster than a standard interior door. We adjust the door closer tension and resecure hinges as part of a standard storm door repair visit.
Fall is the ideal time to address drafts and weatherstripping, catching issues before winter heating bills climb. That said, we handle these repairs year round, since a door that won't latch properly is a security concern any time of year, not just a comfort issue in cold weather.
Humidity causes wood to swell, which is why doors often stick worse in humid summer months and loosen back up in drier winter air.
Yes, this is usually a worn balance or spring mechanism, which we can repair or replace depending on the window type.
Yes, it's one of the most cost effective fixes for drafts and can make a real difference in comfort and energy use.