How To Straighten A Bowed Door

Tighten this slowly by hand until the door is straight.

How to straighten a bowed door. Fix a warped door. Slide the plates between the door leaf and the frame. Leave the sandbag on the door for 24 hours or until the warp is completely gone. If the door goes too far and warps the other way just turn it over and warp it back.

The door can now only be closed with greater force. Here in california it usually takes 20 minutes to 30 minutes in full sun. Use clamps to secure the wood and tighten them until the door bends at least of an inch in the opposite direction of the warp. Place a straightedge on the door.

When the door is flat take it back inside and rehang it. Allow the door to dry out for at least 24 hours. Check the side of the door where you drew the line. Clamp the door to one of the sawhorses to stabilize it.

Use a drill bit for a pilot hole and tighten down the 1 4 inch screws. When the door has unwarped take the blocks off and return the door to the room where it will be mounted. Measure the door carefully and purchase a truss rod to the right length. Remove the door from the hinges.

You should prop up the door so that all sides get air. If the gap is on the ends of the straightedge flip the door over. If the line bows slightly it will show you how much you need to remove to straighten. If your door is badly warped wet your heavy towels or large blankets and lay them across the warped area only.

Then you will need to inspect the door for bulges. If the door closes first on the lock side then clamp a plate between the frame and the door. Use a drill bit for a pilot hole and tighten down the 1 4 inch screws. It should stay straight as long as no additional chemical reaction takes place from the glue on the original side.

Insert the rod into one of the corners using a screw and then add to the bottom in the same manner. There will be a gap between the straightedge and the door indicating the direction of the warp. This will allow it to spring back into normal shape later on allow the board to dry in this position for at least 72 hours and repeat until the door is sufficiently straight and dry. If the top of the door or the lock side is affected clamp the wooden wedges against the direction of warping.