A hand tightening a door hinge screw with a screwdriver while holding the door steady
A loose top hinge screw is behind a lot of doors that stick or won't latch.
Doors & windows

Door and window repair in an afternoon or less

A squeaky door, a stubborn lock or a draft by the window can get annoying fast. Many of these problems come down to loose screws, dirty tracks or worn weatherstripping. These guides help you find the cause and get things moving, closing and sealing properly again.

  • 29 fixes
  • Step-by-step pictures
  • When to call a pro

Where to start: If a door rubs the frame or won't latch, a 3-inch hinge screw often pulls it back into line. A squeaky hinge needs grease, not just a spray. A key that's hard to turn usually means the deadbolt needs lubricating or realigning. Cold spots by the windows? Seal the drafts before you think about replacing anything.

Sagging door rubbing at the top latch-side corner, fixed with a 3 inch screw in the top hinge
From the guide: Fix a door that sticks or won't latch →

Garage doors are in Exterior.

What are you dealing with?

Door squeaksDoor sticks or won't latchCold drafts by windowsLock is hard to turnWindow won't openWindow screen is tornNeed to take a door offGarage door won't closeDoor swings open or closed on its ownHinge screws spin and won't tightenGarage door opener won't respondSliding door is hard to openDraft around an outside doorWater on the inside of windowsDoor knob is loose or wobblyHole in a hollow-core doorStorm door won't closePocket door came off its trackWindow won't stay openWindow glass is brokenCloset door came off the trackCasement window crank spins or is stuckDoor rattles when it's closed
Doors & windows

Fix or replace a worn, loose or leaky exterior door threshold

 Moderate20 min to adjust, 2–4 hours to replace$0 to adjust, $20–70 for a new threshold
Doors & windows

Replace or reset door stop molding on an interior door

 Moderate1–2 hours, plus paint drying time$10–30 for molding and nails
Doors & windows

Garage door frozen to the ground

 Easy20–60 min$0–25
Doors & windows

Blinds won't go down or stay up

 Easy10–45 min$0–15
Doors & windows

Unlock a bathroom or bedroom door without a key

 Easy1–20 min$0–30
Doors & windows

Get a broken key out of a lock

 Easy10–30 min$0–15
Doors & windows

Fix a squeaky door hinge

 Easy10 min$0–8
Doors & windows

Fix a door that sticks or won't latch

 Easy15 min$2–5
Doors & windows

Stop drafts around windows

 Easy30 min per window$10–25
Doors & windows

Fix a sticking deadbolt or door lock

 Easy15–30 min$0–10
Doors & windows

Fix a window that sticks or won't open

 Easy20–45 min$0–15
Doors & windows

Repair a torn window screen

 Easy10 min to patch; 30–45 min to rescreen$5–20
Doors & windows

Take a door off its hinges

 Easy10–20 min$0
Doors & windows

Garage door won't close? Check the safety sensors

 Easy15–30 min$0
Doors & windows

Door swings open or closed on its own

 Easy15–30 min$0–10
Doors & windows

Fix stripped door hinge screws

 Easy30–60 min, plus glue drying time$5–15
Doors & windows

Garage door opener not responding

 Easy10–30 min$0–10
Doors & windows

Sliding door hard to open

 Moderate30–90 min$0–40
Doors & windows

Weatherstrip an exterior door

 Easy30–60 min$15–40
Doors & windows

Condensation on the inside of windows

 Easy15–30 min$0–30
Doors & windows

Loose door knob

 Easy10–45 min$0–50
Doors & windows

Fix a hole in a hollow door

 Easy1–3 hours plus drying$15–40
Doors & windows

Storm door won't close

 Easy15–60 min$0–40
Doors & windows

Pocket door off track

 Moderate30–120 min$0–60
Doors & windows

Window won't stay open

 Moderate30–120 min$15–60
Doors & windows

Replace a broken window pane

 Moderate2–3 hours, plus paint time$15–100
Doors & windows

Closet door off track

 Easy15–45 min$0–40
Doors & windows

Casement window crank not working

 Moderate20–60 min$0–60
Doors & windows

Door rattles when closed

 Easy10–45 min$0–15

Common questions

Why won't my door latch anymore?

The door has usually sagged on its hinges, so the latch misses the strike plate. Tightening the top hinge with a longer screw fixes most of them.

What's the best lubricant for a sticking lock?

Dry graphite or a dry PTFE lock lubricant. Oily sprays attract dust and can gum up the lock over time.

Looking for something else? Browse all fixes or see emergency steps.