It is easy to take the doors inside our homes for granted; we can open and close them all day without giving a second thought. That is, until something goes wrong. Usually a door’s issues are just an annoyance. Maybe you have to struggle to get into the closet, or you can’t keep a bathroom door closed for privacy, or keep the noise out of your office. But we have to remember that doors are also egress in an emergency, and as such have safety implications. Additionally, a loosely-mounted door, or one with glass installed, can be a personal injury hazard.
Inspect all doors for smooth operation and secure latching. They shouldn’t bind in the frame, rub the floor or carpet, or have large gaps when closed. Ensure that all hardware is present and in good condition, e.g. hinge pins, hinge screws, strike plates, etc. The glass in a passage door should be safety glass. Doors between garages and the living area should be fire-rated, not have pet openings installed, and in many jurisdictions should be equipped with a self-closer.
The door does not fit properly within frame. It is binding and/or has large gaps. This affects its function. Adjust or repair the door.
The door rubs on the carpet or floor. This will cause damage. Adjust or replace the door.
The door is damaged. This can affect proper function. Repair or replace the door.
The door is inoperative. Repair or replace the door.
The door is missing. Replace the door.
The door between the garage and living space is not fire rated. This is a safety concern. Install a fire-rated door.
The sliding door floor guides are missing or damaged. This is a safety hazard that can allow the door(s) to come off the track. Replace the floor guides.
The door hardware is damaged or inoperative. This can affect proper operation. Replace the hardware.
The door hardware is missing. This can affect proper operation. Replace the hardware.
The doorknob is loose or broken. This can affect proper operation. Repair or replace the doorknob.
The doorknob is missing. This can affect proper operation. Repair or replace the doorknob.
The door hinge is loose or broken. This can affect proper operation. Repair or replace the hinge.
The door hinge is missing. This can affect proper operation. Replace the hinge.
The door hinge pin is missing. This can affect proper operation. Replace the hinge pin.
The door glass is missing. Replace the glass.
The door glass is broken. This is a safety concern. Replace the glass.
The door glass is not safety rated. While this may not have been required at installation, it is a hazard. Replace the door’s glass with a safety-rated pane.
