How to Use HandiShims
for Hinge Adjustments
Fix a sagging door or an uneven gap with HandiShims. When a door sags and sticks against the frame, or the gap (reveal) is uneven, the problem is often a misaligned hinge. Cardboard or folded paper will compress and fail over time.
HandiShims provide a precise, permanent fix. Their non-compressive plastic construction and exact thicknesses allow you to fine-tune a door's alignment, and they will never crush or deteriorate.
Use HandiShims for:
- Fixing a Sagging Door: Lifts a door that is dragging on the floor or sticking in the frame.
- Correcting the Reveal: Evens out the gap between the door and the jamb for a professional look.
- Solidifying Loose Hinges: Provides a solid backing for hinge screws in worn-out wood.
How to Use:
- Identify the Problem Hinge: For a door that is sagging at the top corner, you typically need to shim the bottom hinge. To close a large gap at the top, you would shim the top hinge.
- Loosen the Hinge: Back out the screws on the jamb-side leaf of the hinge you need to adjust. You may not need to remove the screws completely.
- Insert the Shim: Slip a thin 1/32” (Green) or 1/16” (Red) HandiShim behind the hinge leaf, between the hinge and the wood jamb. You can use the shim's "screw hole" to align it perfectly with the hinge.
- Tighten & Test: Tighten the screws. The shim will push the hinge (and the door) out slightly, realigning the entire door.
- Adjust as Needed: Close the door and check the alignment. If it's still off, add a second shim or try a different thickness until the gap is perfect and the door closes smoothly.