Field Troubleshooting Guide

Troubleshooting Issues

Door binds or drags at the head or floor

Check that the frame is plumb and square. A twisted or racked frame is the most common cause of door binding. Measure diagonally across the frame opening — both measurements should be equal. If the frame is out of square, adjust the anchors or use shims at the base before wall finishes are applied. Also verify the door is the correct size for the opening with proper clearances (1/8" at head and jambs, 3/4" at bottom minimum).

Door won't latch — latch bolt doesn't reach strike

Check that the door is aligned with the frame and that the latch bolt is aligned with the strike prep. If the door sags at the lock stile, check hinge screws for tightness and verify the hinge reinforcement is correctly engaged. Adjust the strike location by filing the strike pocket or replacing with an adjustable strike. Also verify the lock is the correct backset for the prep location.

Frame is out of plumb after installation

If anchor screws haven't been fully tightened, adjust anchors and re-check plumb before tightening. For masonry applications, verify anchors are properly embedded. If wall finishes are already applied, a plumb frame may require shimming behind the face of the frame with a pry bar and retightening anchors. Document the condition and contact your distributor if correction is required under warranty.

Door hinge-side is sagging

Check all hinge screws for tightness — loose screws are the most common cause. Verify that the door weight is within the rated capacity of the hinge size specified. If the hinge reinforcing is damaged or the screw holes are stripped, the door may need to be replaced. For continuous hinge installations, check that all fasteners along the full length are engaged.

KD frame is difficult to assemble

KD frames are designed to snap together with the head dropped into the jamb slots. Check that the head and jamb profiles are compatible (same profile must be ordered as a set). Verify the rough opening is correct — KD frames require the wall to be built to the correct rough opening dimensions. If the frame won't snap together, check for shipping damage to the corners.

Paint finish is peeling or adhesion is poor

HMF Express doors and frames ship with a grey primer coat. The primer is designed to accept field-applied finish coat paint. If adhesion is poor, check that the field paint was compatible with the primer and applied according to the paint manufacturer's instructions. Surface contamination (oil, grease, dust) before painting is the most common cause of adhesion failure. Clean with a suitable degreaser before applying finish coat.

Frame silencers are missing or not installed

Silencers (rubber bumpers) are factory-installed in the door stop of the frame — typically 3 per single frame (2 on the strike jamb, 1 at the head). Check that they haven't been removed during installation. If missing, replacement silencers are available — contact your distributor. Standard size is 3/8" diameter button style.

Door has excessive gap at one jamb

An uneven gap at one jamb typically indicates the frame is not square or the door was manufactured to the wrong size. Measure the clear opening width at the top, middle, and bottom — they should all be equal. If the frame is tapered (wider at top than bottom or vice versa), the wall may have settled or the frame was installed out of square. Correcting the frame plumb and square typically resolves uneven gaps.