How to Adjust a Bowed Door

Clean the door frame where the door sits and the edges of the door itself with soap and water. Sometimes grime and debris get lodged between the door and the frame, making the bow worse. A clean door jamb and door edge have more space to allow a bowed door to sit securely.

Fit wooden shims behind the hinge plate by slightly unscrewing the hinge plate with a screwdriver and sliding the wooden shim underneath. This procedure pushes the hinges and shifts their position, changing the way the way the door hangs.

Chisel away excess paint buildup on the edges of the door using a sharp chisel. Sometimes the door’s bowing is exacerbated by a buildup of paint over time. This is especially common in rental properties, where a new paint job is called for with every new tenant. Chipping away the excess paint allows the door to settle more securely in the door frame.

Remove the door from the frame using a screwdriver and then, setting it on edge, plane the edges where it does not fit in the jamb. Removing a door and planing it are severe measures and should only be undertaken after other options have not worked.