How to Adjust & Align a Wood Exterior Door
- 1). Remove the trim, or door casing, from around the inside face of the door jamb by prying it away from the wall with a flat pry-bar. Pull the nails through the back of the casing with a pair of locking pliers to prevent damage to the trim face and set it aside for reuse.
- 2). Cut the nails holding the door in place with a reciprocating saw. Be careful to angle the blade to avoid bending it against the back of the brick mold on the outside of the door. Cut along both vertical sides and across the top.
- 3). Knock the old shims from between the jamb and frame with a chisel and hammer so that the door is loose in the frame. Open the door and wedge shims under its end to hold it upright.
- 4). Wedge new shims between the jamb header and frame to stabilize it. Place a level on the face of the hinge side jamb. Shift the top corner of the jamb in or out until the bubble is aligned in the center of the indicator.
- 5). Wedge shims behind the top corner of the hinge side jamb and nail through the jamb and the shims to secure it. Add shims behind the middle and bottom corner of the hinge side jamb and nail through them.
- 6). Move the level to the knob side jamb and adjust the top of it in or out to adjust the bubble to center. Wedge shims behind the jamb at the top, middle and bottom and nail through the jamb and shims to secure it.
- 7). Replace the topmost screw in the top hinge with a 3-inch wood screw. The longer screw will drive through the jamb into the frame behind and allow the knob side of the door to be lifted or let down slightly for proper operation. Test the door and adjust as needed until it opens and closes smoothly.
- 8). Realign the door casing and nail in place on the jamb edge with a finish nail every 10 to 12 inches. Leave the vertical casing loose at the top. Position the top horizontal piece and adjust the top corners to create snug joints before nailing them in place.