Homeowners are Natalie and George Faucher need to buy a bigger house for their growing family. But first they have to get their current home ready for the market and they’re worried that some of their do-it-yourself repairs might send their selling price south. Home inspector Wally Conway advised them on what needs to be done to their 1958 rancher in Jacksonville, Fla.
Inspector's Notebook
Doors that won’t stay shut are a pesky problem, and may require some investigating to determine just what is causing the problem and then to find the right solution.
- First check to see if the latch bolt is sticking. If it is, try lubricating it with silicon.
- Use a level to find out if the door is hung level. If it's not a perfect fit, you might have to adjust the hinges.
- If the door is hung correctly, the problem is likely to be the strike plate on the doorframe.
- Examine the wear marks on the strike plate to determine if it is out of alignment. For slight misalignment, use a file to the edge of the hole to make the hole bigger.
- For larger misalignments, move the strike plate or replace it with a larger one.
- If everything lines up and there is still a gap between the door and frame, you’ll need to move the strike plate closer to the latch. Just insert a wooden shim behind the strike plate.
Guests Wally Conway
Home Inspector, Florida HomePro, Inc.
12708-2 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Phone: 904-268-8211
E-mail:
wally@gohomepro.com
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