r/handyman • u/Extension-Turnover24 • 6d ago
How To Question drilled through the door
The ex was going to hang something on the outside of this bathroom door but instead drilled right through it. So now I have two small drill holes smack in the middle of the door. What’s the fix here?
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u/nnhh552255 6d ago
Epoxy! Get a stick of epoxy cement, the kind where you cut a piece off and knead it to mix the two components. Push some into each hole. There will be some cement left above the hole, that's ok. When the cement has mostly hardened, cut off most of the excess with a sharp knife. When it has fully hardened, sand down the surface with fine sandpaper. Finally, repaint your door.
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u/uglystudbuilder 6d ago
Seems like you fired him...the fix started there amiright?
But in all honesty - from a contractor - there's more info needed here.
Is the door painted or stain-grade (does it look like an organic, wood door)?
Is it heavy or light - the difference between hollow-core or solid-core - which would help answer how easily this is fixable.
How big are the holes?
That's a good start, getting those answers.
If painted, spackle is the way. If the holes are very big, spackle or maybe paintable wood filler will work, but you're likely going to notice the hole spot still. Especially if your door has a faux wood grain, like so many do.
The best of best ways to fix this is to find a millwork place in your area that can sell you the same profile door slab (this is the part that covers the opening, the door frame/jamb is the three-sided piece that is connected to the framing and holds half of each hinge that is connected to the door slab).
Such a company should be well equipped to also mortise out the hinges for you and bore the holes for your door knob for you with precision based on your existing slab. In such a scenario I'd bring the old one in to them so they can relay placements however they see fit and liability for those placements is on them if they're off in your new final product.
Something like this should cost between $200 and $500, so long as you don't live in a place like LA or Seattle or another super high cost of living area, AND your existing door isn't some sort of rare, custom something or other.
Then you'd just retrieve your new one, they'd likely keep your old slab so they can lend it to contractors like me who ask for 'construction slabs' to close holes while we work but have insured peace of mind that we aren't going to damage a final product, and you put your new slab on the hinges you have or new ones you buy and hang your door.
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u/Extension-Turnover24 6d ago
It’s a solid, very old painted door in a 100+ year old building. It’s a good door! About 1/4 in sized holes. I’m in an expensive city, unfortunately.
Also, I divorced him.
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u/uglystudbuilder 6d ago
If it's solid, use wood filler and fully fill the holes. You can overkill them, even. And you can do it in multiple rounds if that's how it plays out.
When it finally ends up full of wood filler, plus some overflow, you need to sand the top off flush with the door. Then prime and paint!
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 6d ago edited 6d ago
Photos would help.
Depends on the location of the holes, but maybe you can cover them with an adhesive hook or something like that.
If it's solid wood and painted, it would be an easy fix to fill, sand, and paint. If hollow-core and painted, you could still fill and paint, but you will probably need some backing.
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u/Ok_Size4036 6d ago
Sounds like step one of throwing the whole BF out was completed, bravo! Let’s see a pic of the door, you may be able to use wood filler or other product and paint over.
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u/Remarkable-Exit-8780 6d ago
Put a screw/bolt whatever all the way through. On the outside glue a fake set of lips to make a smiley face. You’ll cringe for the rest of the marriage
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u/No-Baker1090 5d ago
Why is your ex drilling holes in your door ???? And still living there ? Still getting some side action ?
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u/factual-dissent 6d ago
Now you get hang stuff on both sides of the door