How to Straighten a Screen Door

Measure the distance diagonally from the upper corner of the screen door (on the hinged side) to the lower corner (on the opposite side) using a measuring tape. You need this measurement when purchasing a turnbuckle door support kit.

Attach a rod support bracket to each corner on the inside of the door with the included screws and a screwdriver. One bracket goes in the upper hinged side of the door and the other in the lower opposite corner. Make sure the rod openings face each other.

Place one of the threaded ends of a rod into the hole of the upper corner bracket. Turn a nut from the kit clockwise onto the end of the rod by hand to hold it in place.

Attach the turnbuckle onto the other end of the rod and turn it clockwise until the rod end becomes visible on the inside of the turnbuckle.

Install the remaining rod into the lower bracket hole and turn it into the other end of the turnbuckle until it becomes visible as in Step 4.

Connect a nut to the bracket end of the rod and tighten it by hand.

Tighten the nut on the rod at the upper bracket by hand.

Adjust the upper and lower nuts equally until the rods and the turnbuckle are snug. Rotate the turnbuckle by hand if needed to draw the rods snug from end to end.

Close the screen door lightly until it binds.

Rotate the turnbuckle clockwise (toward you from the top) using a flat-head screwdriver. Insert the blade of the screwdriver in the center section of the turnbuckle to gain leverage for turning. The turnbuckle will become tighter as it is rotated, raising the sagging latch side of the screen door.

Repeat Step 10 with half-turns of the turnbuckle until the door closes properly.