I kicked in our bathroom door to rescue my daughter and now it needs repair!
#1
01-20-15, 09:00 AM
I kicked in our bathroom door to rescue my daughter and now it needs repair!
Hi everyone,
It's not quite as dramatic as it sounds, but my daughter did indeed get trapped in the bathroom (the old door latch/jamb got stuck together; it wasn't locked because it doesn't lock). After trying all sorts of maneuvering to free her, I finally kicked the door in, which REALLY pissed my husband off when he got home and saw it! The hardware was all mangled so we removed it. What's left is a big hole in the door where the lockset should be.
I've attached pictures of the door and jamb to get opinions on how to fix it (hopefully it is fixable somehow)? Thanks very much for your advice!
Amy
It's not quite as dramatic as it sounds, but my daughter did indeed get trapped in the bathroom (the old door latch/jamb got stuck together; it wasn't locked because it doesn't lock). After trying all sorts of maneuvering to free her, I finally kicked the door in, which REALLY pissed my husband off when he got home and saw it! The hardware was all mangled so we removed it. What's left is a big hole in the door where the lockset should be.
I've attached pictures of the door and jamb to get opinions on how to fix it (hopefully it is fixable somehow)? Thanks very much for your advice!
Amy
#2
01-20-15, 09:33 AM
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Welcome.
Wood glue is very strong, especially if clamped. You need the pieces though that were broken out.
The secret to getting the best look is to test fit the piece before any gluing. You want the pieces to fit perfectly. This may mean shaving off some fibers here and there and figuring out which way to insert the piece so that it interlocks with the torn parts of door.
Glue it, hold it in place for a few minutes while adjusting piece to get it all engaged and flat, and then apply tape to hold it in place for several hours.
Spread the glue over all surfaces. It helps to use a flux brush or other brush to get a good layer of glue. Be prepared to wipe off excess with a damp rag and a dry rag.
Use good wood glue like Titebond II or Gorilla Glue.
Wood glue is very strong, especially if clamped. You need the pieces though that were broken out.
The secret to getting the best look is to test fit the piece before any gluing. You want the pieces to fit perfectly. This may mean shaving off some fibers here and there and figuring out which way to insert the piece so that it interlocks with the torn parts of door.
Glue it, hold it in place for a few minutes while adjusting piece to get it all engaged and flat, and then apply tape to hold it in place for several hours.
Spread the glue over all surfaces. It helps to use a flux brush or other brush to get a good layer of glue. Be prepared to wipe off excess with a damp rag and a dry rag.
Use good wood glue like Titebond II or Gorilla Glue.
#4
01-20-15, 10:37 AM
Thank you so much for your reply! Unfortunately, though, the wood pieces were splintered/damaged and I don't think they're useable. Any other options?
#5
01-20-15, 11:23 AM
You are going to need a decent carpenter either way, but my thoughts are to check a local Restore or other second hand shop for a same size replacement, or, if you don't have any in your area, cutting out the damaged section of stile, gluing and doweling a section in, planing and sanding the faces, and drilling in the hardware. Now, the easiest thing would typically be to simply install a new prehung door, but I'm seeing some character, nostalgia, whatever there, so would go the extra step if it were mine.
#6
01-20-15, 11:57 AM
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I think buying a new door and trimming it to fit within your existing jamb if needed would be the easiest fix. Unfortunately no off the shelf door will be as solid or have the character of an old solid wood door. But a painted raised panel door would be about $100. Next would be having a custom solid wood door made which around here would be about $300.
If you're really into woodworking you could remove the vertical strip of wood that makes the edge of the door and make a new piece but unless that's your hobby it's probably cheaper to buy a new door. But if you were really into wood working you probably wouldn't be posting how to fix it. Still the entire door would have to be stripped and refinished to try and get it to have a chance of matching. A hoakey fix would be to cut out the damaged section, glue, biscuit or dowel in a filler piece but that would really show on that door.
If you're really into woodworking you could remove the vertical strip of wood that makes the edge of the door and make a new piece but unless that's your hobby it's probably cheaper to buy a new door. But if you were really into wood working you probably wouldn't be posting how to fix it. Still the entire door would have to be stripped and refinished to try and get it to have a chance of matching. A hoakey fix would be to cut out the damaged section, glue, biscuit or dowel in a filler piece but that would really show on that door.
#7
01-20-15, 03:22 PM
This appears to have been a mortise lock rather than a standard lockset, is that correct? Are all the remainder in your house this type?
#8
01-25-15, 07:22 AM
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I would buy a new prehung door (comes with a jamb) that matches the original, or as close as you can find. Resurrecting that broken door is going to be very hard, even for a professional. You could find a salvaged door but it most likely will not come with a jamb. I would find a salvaged door and build a jamb. However, building a jamb can be a nightmare for someone without carpentry experience.
