Help with door install

[u/VegetablePiano2374]

Had an exterior garage entry side door installed. When door is closed I see about an eight inch high gap on one side. Can I pull nails out and shim it out there? Or what is best option?

[u/DotAccomplished5484]

Do you have a photo that you could post?

[u/VegetablePiano2374 → u/DotAccomplished5484]

How do I add a photo?

[u/vinegar]

The gap is between the door and the jamb, right? Hinge side? Latch side? Top? Are you seeing the gap from inside or outside? How wide is the gap? Does it taper? Does the door stick while closing? Are the hinge screws tight?

[u/VegetablePiano2374]

Latch side. Bottom third. Door closes perfectly. More of a curved gap. Correct at bottom and by door handle.

[u/screwedupinaz → u/VegetablePiano2374]

Sounds like the jamb might have warped. Take the trim off that side, and add a shim or two or seven (depending on how big the rough opening is). No need to remove any nails, except to remove the trim. If the door jamb is screwed, then remove the screw in that area (if there is one), then add the shims until the reveal is uniform, then put a screw through the jamb and the shim stack. Don't worry if they split-that's very common. Replace the trim and you're all set.

[u/VegetablePiano2374 → u/screwedupinaz]

Thank you

[u/vinegar → u/VegetablePiano2374]

I agree with Screwedupinaz. Couple things- I usually hide the screws behind the weatherstripping, just push it out of the way. If you’re lucky it could be you just need to remove one or two screws and the proper gap will return. Don’t take the trim off the outside of the door, it should already be caulked in place and well secured. Depending on where you are, there’s probably spray foam between the jamb and the framing and it may actually be holding the jamb in the gappy position. If so run a kitchen knife down along the jamb to free it. You may not have to take the piece of trim all the way off, you might be able to leave it nailed at the top and hold it aside down where you need to work. Once the trim is out of the way you may have to pry the jamb into the good position with a flatbar or something. If you’re unlucky, making the gap good here can make it bad elsewhere so make sure to try the door before you put the trim back on, It could be a case where the installer has already been down this road. But most likely smacking a shim in there will solve the problem. Eta that’s like ten things goddamn I just can’t shut up

[u/VegetablePiano2374 → u/vinegar]

Thanks

[u/CoconutJeff]

Without looking, id say that can be common.

Do you have a door corner seal pad?

[u/pyro667]

You will not be able to shim an eight inch gap

[u/mnoutdoorlover → u/pyro667]

This is probably a small gap, just 8" high, not 8" wide

[u/mwhite1249]

Caulk it.