Door Repair in Rochester, NY
A door that sticks, rubs or will not latch usually needs an adjustment, not a new door. A handyman can often fix it in one visit. We fix interior doors, exterior doors, storm doors and door hardware in Rochester homes and rentals. You get a written quote before work starts.
- Interior and exterior doors
- Storm doors and hardware
- Written quote first
Door problems we fix
Sticks in summer
Swollen wood rubs the frame in humid weather.
Will not latch
The latch misses the strike plate.
Rubs or sags
Loose hinge screws let the door drop.
Draft at the bottom
The sweep or threshold is worn out.
Storm door trouble
It slams, hangs open or will not close.
Loose hardware
Knobs, hinges and strike plates that wobble.
Why doors stick in Rochester
| What you see | Likely cause | What we do | Call someone else when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door sticks in summer | Humidity swells the wood | Plane the edge and seal it | The frame is rotted |
| Door will not latch | The strike plate is out of line | Move the plate or shim the hinges | The lock itself is broken |
| Door sags and rubs | Loose hinge screws or a shifted frame | Tighten or replace screws, shim the hinges | The frame is twisted |
| Cold air at the bottom | A worn sweep or threshold | Fit a new sweep or weatherstripping | The door is badly warped |
Wood takes on moisture and swells, then shrinks as it dries. This Old House says to keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent to help. Rochester adds freeze and thaw to that cycle. The National Weather Service says winters here bring frequent thaws and rain, and the city gets about 102 inches of snow a year. Many homes here are old. NeighborhoodScout reports that more than half of Rochester housing was built before 1940, so frames have had decades to move.
How a door repair visit works
- Tell usDescribe the problem when you call. A photo helps if you can share one.
- CheckWe look at the door, hinges, frame and floor.
- FixWe plane, tighten, adjust or replace the parts that cause it.
- FinishWe clean up and show you how the door works now.
Old paint and permits
Homes built before 1978 can have lead paint. Under the EPA rule, paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in those homes calls for certified firms. We tell you before we touch painted doors, frames or trim in an older home. Rental owners also have the City of Rochester lead law.
Fixing a door is different from replacing one. If you plan to replace a door, ask the City of Rochester Bureau of Zoning and Permitting first at 585.428.6526.
Door repair questions
Why does my door stick only in summer?
Wood absorbs moisture and swells in humid weather, then shrinks when it dries. Keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent helps, according to This Old House.
Can you fix a door that will not latch?
Usually. We check where the latch meets the strike plate, then move the plate or adjust the hinges.
How do you stop a draft under a door?
We fit a door sweep or weatherstripping. Energy.gov says to weatherstrip the full jamb with one continuous strip on each side.
Do you repair storm doors?
Yes. We fix closers, hinges, latches and loose hardware.
When should I replace a door instead of fixing it?
When the frame is rotted or the door is badly warped. We tell you at the visit and say who to call.
Related services
Request a visit
Call 585.555.0142 and tell us about the job. We answer every call.
100 Sample Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM