How to Repair a Front Door That Does Not Shut Evenly and Has a Draft

Inspect the door when it is closed to look for gaps or areas where it doesn't close properly. Open the door and place a level on top of it to determine if it is hanging evenly.

Hold a lit incense stick up to the door and move it around all of the edges to find out where the drafts are coming in. Watch for wavering of the smoke to find the areas where the air enters.

Inspect the hinges to see if they are tight and sturdy. Replace damaged hinges and tighten any screws that seem loose. If the screw doesn't tighten, replace it with a longer screw that can get more depth into the door frame.

Sand down sections of the door that appear to be built up and preventing the door from evenly closing. Sand off the hinge side of the door or the top if possible so the sanding doesn't affect the latching of the door. Sand only a little at a time, testing the door after each time.

Seal the edges you sand with polyurethane. This protects them from weather elements to prevent swelling, warping and cracking that eventually cause more problems with the door.

Replace the weatherstripping on the door or add weatherstripping if none currently exists. Cut the weatherstripping to size with a hacksaw and nail it into place.

Install a door sweep along the bottom edge of the door if this is where you notice the draft. Cut the sweep to length and screw it to the bottom of the door.