Door Repair in Hounslow West – Alignment, Sagging and Locking Issues

If your door sticks, sags, rattles, won’t latch, or won’t lock properly, the fix is rarely “just force it harder”. Most problems come down to alignment, worn hardware, or frame fixing points that have weakened over time. TW3 Locksmith Hounslow West provides door repairs in Hounslow West focused on one outcome: smooth closing and secure, repeatable latching and locking.

For a full overview of everything we cover — from emergency callouts to lock upgrades — visit our trusted locksmith in Hounslow West page. If your issue is specifically related to a door closer (speed, slamming, not latching, or not closing), see door closers.

We provide door repair services across Earl Haig Close, Siddeley Drive, Aldergrove Gardens and Cranston Close, fixing sticking, sagging, and misaligned doors with same-day availability.

What “door repair” actually means (why doors stop locking properly)

A door can look shut and still be insecure. The latch bolt or deadbolt must land correctly in the keep/strike plate, and the door must be sitting square in the frame so the lock isn’t operating under load. When a door drops even a few millimetres, you often see knock-on symptoms:

the latch hits the frame instead of the keep

the key becomes stiff because the bolt is rubbing

multipoint locking points won’t line up unless you lift the handle hard

rattling and draughts appear because compression against seals is inconsistent

Good door repair is about restoring door geometry (gaps/reveals), rebuilding fixing bite where needed, and confirming the lock engages smoothly without “sweet spot” positioning.

Door problems we fix (deep-dive)

Most door faults fall into three categories: alignment, hardware wear, or frame damage. Below are the common issues we resolve on doors across Hounslow West properties and premises.

1) Door won’t close properly (slamming, bouncing, latch hitting the frame)

Symptoms: you have to slam the door, it bounces open, or the latch hits the frame.

Likely causes: dropped hinges, strike plate/keep misalignment, frame movement, or door closer settings causing poor latch action.

Typical fixes: restore alignment, adjust hinges, reposition/adjust the keep/strike plate, and tune closer latch action where fitted.

2) Door sticks or rubs (top, side or bottom)

Symptoms: scraping marks, stiff opening/closing, swelling or tightness (common with timber in seasonal weather).

Likely causes: loose hinges/screws, door/frame movement, threshold or sill contact, or swelling/warping.

Typical fixes: re-hang/adjust, rebuild hinge screw bite into sound material, address thresholds where applicable, and confirm the latch/bolt runs freely.

3) Sagging door / dropped door

Symptoms: uneven gaps around the door, latch misses the keep, the door “falls” on the lock side.

Likely causes: worn hinges, pulled fixings, heavy doors not properly supported, or hinge type out of adjustment (common with uPVC/composite flag hinges).

Typical fixes: hinge service or replacement, reinforcement of fixing points, and precise keep/strike alignment so the door latches and locks without lifting or forcing.

4) Door rattles in the wind / feels loose in the frame

Symptoms: rattling when closed, draughts, poor “secure feel”.

Likely causes: loose keeps/strikes, weak compression against seals, worn seals, or the door not seating consistently.

Typical fixes: adjust keeps/strikes, restore proper compression where possible, replace seals when appropriate, and confirm the latch bolt sits fully in the keep.

5) Latch doesn’t engage (door “looks shut” but isn’t)

Symptoms: the door opens without turning the handle; the latch isn’t catching reliably.

Likely causes: misaligned latch/keep, worn latch mechanism, door drop changing latch height.

Typical fixes: correct the keep/strike position and depth, replace worn latch parts where needed, and re-align the door so latching is consistent every time.

6) Loose / floppy door handle

Symptoms: handle wobbles, spindle slips, latch doesn’t retract cleanly.

Likely causes: loose fixings, worn spindle/springs, internal latch wear, or movement in the door causing repeated loosening.

Typical fixes: re-secure the handle set correctly, replace small components where viable, and confirm the latch retracts and returns smoothly.

7) Door frame damage (splits, loose jamb, screws not holding)

Symptoms: cracks around keeps/hinges, frame movement when closing, screws spinning without biting.

Likely causes: wear and tear, historic poor repairs, timber fatigue, rot/soft spots, or force damage.

Typical fixes: rebuild fixing points, reinforce the jamb, strengthen keep areas, and restore a secure closing line that supports the lock under load.

8) Burglary / attempted break-in door repairs (make safe and secure)

Symptoms: splintered frame around the keep, misalignment after force, door won’t lock reliably.

Typical fixes: strengthen the failure point (keep/strike area, frame edge, hinge side if affected), re-align the door, and restore locking with a repeatable close-and-lock function.

9) uPVC / composite door hard to lock (handle lift is heavy)

Symptoms: you must lift the handle hard, locking points don’t line up, key feels stiff.

Likely causes: dropped door, misaligned keeps/rollers/hooks, hinge wear, or the door closing under pressure.

Typical fixes: realign the door, adjust keeps/locking points so the multipoint locking strip engages smoothly, and reduce strain that can otherwise lead to gearbox failure.

10) Fire door issues (closing and latching correctly)

Symptoms: door won’t self-close, slams, doesn’t latch, or the closer feels inconsistent.

Typical fixes: closer adjustment (closing speed and latch action), latch/keep alignment, and checks that the door closes consistently without needing a “push” at the end. If the issue is closer-specific, see door closers.

11) Commercial doors and shop doors

We support common commercial door problems such as closer tuning, alignment drift, strike/keep wear from high footfall, and post-incident repairs designed to reduce downtime and restore reliable locking.

12) Garage doors (door function and securing issues)

If the door or its securing arrangement is not behaving correctly, we can assess whether the issue is alignment, hardware wear, or a locking-interface fault and advise the most practical repair route.

Call to Arrange Quotation

Door repair vs lock repair (book the right fix)

Many “lock problems” are actually door problems. When the door drops or the keep moves, the lock can feel stiff or fail to engage even if the lock is fundamentally sound.

  • Book door repair when the door is sticking, dropped, rubbing, rattling, or not seating properly in the frame.
  • Book lock repair when the lock is jamming, spinning, stiff, or inconsistent even after alignment is corrected.

Doors we repair

Timber doors

uPVC and composite doors

French doors

Fire doors (closing and latching issues)

Commercial doors and shop doors

Doors with smart locking setups where alignment affects operation

Our door repair team also covers Hounslow Education Centre, Hounslow Heath Junior School and Freddie Mercury, working on uPVC, composite, wooden, and fire doors throughout the area.

How our door repair service works

1) Geometry-first diagnosis

We check door reveals/gaps, hinge-side alignment, lock-side engagement, strike/keep position and depth, and frame integrity. The objective is to find the true failure point — not just treat the symptom.

2) Upfront plan before work starts

We explain what needs doing and why, then confirm the cost before starting. If parts are needed, we quote before fitting.

3) Repair and reinforcement

We adjust hinges, rebuild fixing bite where screws have lost purchase, correct keep/strike alignment, and restore smooth closing without slamming, lifting, or “tricks”.

4) Repeatability testing

We test multiple close–latch–lock cycles and confirm the lock turns freely without operating under load. For multipoint doors, we confirm the locking points engage consistently when the door is fully seated.

5) Practical prevention guidance

Where relevant, we’ll point out early warning signs (minor rubbing, handle lift getting heavier, rattling returning) so you can address issues before they turn into lockouts or failures.

Call for Help/Advice

Repair vs replacement (quick decision guide)

Repair is usually best for alignment issues, hinges, keeps/strikes, latches, seals, and minor frame work.

Replacement may be better if the frame is split/rotted beyond reinforcement, the door slab is warped, or damage is extensive.

Lock replacement may be right if the door is sound but lock hardware is worn, damaged, or insecure.

What to prepare before we attend

Describe the symptom: sticking, sagging, rattling, not latching, hard to lock

Door type: timber, uPVC, composite, metal; internal or external

Any recent change: weather shift, new hinge noise, forced closing, post-incident damage

Clear the area so we can test the full closing cycle

Door repair in Hounslow West

If your door won’t close, latch, or lock reliably, the priority is a repair that restores correct alignment and consistent engagement — so the door closes smoothly, locks securely, and doesn’t need forcing.

If you specifically need this service page, see door repair.

Book your No Hassle Quotation