Req 3e — Fixing a Sagging Door or Gate
3e.
Repair a sagging door or gate.
A sagging door tells you something important: parts that used to share weight correctly no longer do. The latch may miss, the bottom edge may rub, or the whole door may lean. This requirement teaches you to look at hinges, screws, framing, and support as a system.
🎬 Video: How to Fix a Sagging Door That's Rubbing or Won't Close!!! (video) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDj6g2UODw
Why Doors and Gates Sag
Common causes include:
- Loose hinge screws
- Worn hinge holes
- A gate brace that is missing or failing
- Wood movement from moisture or age
- Posts or frames that have shifted over time
The best repair depends on the cause. Tightening a hinge may solve one problem, but a sagging gate with weak support may need brace work instead.
What to Explain to Your Counselor
- What the door or gate was doing before the repair
- What you identified as the likely cause
- What adjustment or repair you made
- How you tested whether the problem was fixed
This is a good project for learning that home repair often starts with diagnosis, not tools.