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A door that is difficult to close, and tends to spring open, is said to be hinge bound.

The problem is usually caused by hinge recesses being too deep in either the door edge or in the frame.

When correctly fitted the hinge flaps should be flush with, or slightly below, the surface of the wood.

1 Open the door and push a piece of wood under the lock stile to take the weight.

2 Clear any paint from the slots in the hinge screws, and remove the screws.

3 Get someone to steady the door while you lever the hinge flap out of its recess. Pack out the recess with pieces of cardboard, and then replace the screws.

Protruding Screw Heads

Occasionally the hinges may bind because the screw heads are too large, or have been put in askew, and come into contact with each other when the hinge flaps come together.

Remove the screws and replace them with screws with heads that fit the countersinks in the hinges. One gauge size smaller should be sufficient. If they will not tighten, pack out the holes with matches.

ALTERNATIVELY, deepen the countersinks in the hinge flaps so that the screw head will be flush with the surface. Use a high speed steel countersink bit.

If the screws were originally set in askew, plug the screw holes with pieces of scrap wood dipped in wood glue and then re-drill straight pilot holes.

Badly Placed Hinge Flaps

Binding can also be caused by hinge flaps that are set into the frame too near to the door stop. As the door is closed, the face of the door presses against the stop, preventing it from going farther.

1 Remove the hinges and plug the fixing holes with pegs of scrap wood dipped in wood glue.

2 Re-drill the hinge fixing holes so that they are farther away from the door stop.

When the door is closed the hinge pin should protrude an equal distance from the face of the door and the edge of the frame.

On an internal door it may be possible to move the door stop as it is probably made from a separate piece of wood.