We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an interesting
problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom. The frame
doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between the door
frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening. The storm door
frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the trailer since early
November and have not had a problem. We have been having generally warm
weather (above freezing), but recently had near zero temps lately and are in
a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any ideas would be welcomed!

Mike D.

Use a block of wood to protect surfaces and a hammer to knock the frame back
into position. Should take about 10 seconds to fix. Tools needed is a
hammer and block of wood about 3inch x 3inch by 2 inch.


"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
et...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an interesting
problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom. The frame
doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between the door
frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening. The storm
door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the trailer
since early November and have not had a problem. We have been having
generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near zero temps
lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any ideas would
be welcomed!

Mike D.

"Art" wrote in message
ink.net...
Use a block of wood to protect surfaces and a hammer to knock the frame
back into position. Should take about 10 seconds to fix. Tools needed is
a hammer and block of wood about 3inch x 3inch by 2 inch.


No place for it to go. Also storm door frame is screwed very securely into
the door jam. If there was room, it would move the frame away from the
threshold.


"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
et...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Mike D.

My guess would be that something has moved or rather "cocked", Check the
square of the door opening, also check the level of the trailer frame.

Searcher

On Feb 18, 7:12 pm, "Shopdog" wrote:
My guess would be that something has moved or rather "cocked", Check the
square of the door opening, also check the level of the trailer frame.

Yep...sounds like possibly one or both ends may have drooped. Had a
lot of rain lately, too, perchance?

Saw one like that a year ago. The diagonal measurements
were identical for the doorway, a string level showed that the
middle of the mobile home was high, the ends were in perfect
level to each other.

On Feb 18, 8:49 pm, "dpb" wrote:
On Feb 18, 7:12 pm, "Shopdog" wrote:

My guess would be that something has moved or rather "cocked", Check the
square of the door opening, also check the level of the trailer frame.

Yep...sounds like possibly one or both ends may have drooped. Had a
lot of rain lately, too, perchance?

"dpb" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 18, 7:12 pm, "Shopdog" wrote:
My guess would be that something has moved or rather "cocked", Check the
square of the door opening, also check the level of the trailer frame.

Yep...sounds like possibly one or both ends may have drooped. Had a
lot of rain lately, too, perchance?


Some rain, but the underside is still very dry. I was just under there to
add some phone outlets. There is pretty good drainage away from the
trailer.

The storm door frame was not installed properly and has a gap at the catch
side on top. Gap has not changed. The main door is still fine. Only the
storm door has a problem.

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
et...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an interesting
problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom. The frame
doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between the door
frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening. The storm
door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the trailer
since early November and have not had a problem. We have been having
generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near zero temps
lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any ideas would
be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
et...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?


Aluminum swells?

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
t...

"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
et...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?


Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and squeezing
the frame.

On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

t...





"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today. Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

t...





"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in
the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today.
Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?


The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the threshold.
There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against the aluminum
threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't change, only the
storm door.

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
. net...

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

t...





"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the
opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in
the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had
near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today.
Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and
squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?


The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the threshold.
There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against the aluminum
threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't change, only the
storm door.


P.S. The previous owner put insulation inside the skirting except for half
of each end. When it was near zero overnight it was fairly warm under the
trailer.

On Feb 19, 7:42 am, "Mike Dobony" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

. net...







wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

.net...

"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the
opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in
the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had
near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today.
Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and
squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?

The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the threshold.
There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against the aluminum
threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't change, only the
storm door.

P.S. The previous owner put insulation inside the skirting except for half
of each end. When it was near zero overnight it was fairly warm under the
trailer.

That it was warm under the trailer doesn't necessarily imply the
ground under the supports didn't freeze/thaw. The symptom after the
warmup after cold is pretty typical of a minor heave movement. If the
blocking is just sitting on the ground, wouldn't be at all surprised
if it moved some after a spell of zero-degree weather.

If it isn't related to something overall, then the conclusion has to
be something on the frame itself or the mounting to which it fastened
moved.

"dpb" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 19, 7:42 am, "Mike Dobony" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

. net...







wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

.net...

"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the
opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been
in
the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We
have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had
near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50
today.
Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and
squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?

The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went
above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the
threshold.
There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against the
aluminum
threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't change, only
the
storm door.

P.S. The previous owner put insulation inside the skirting except for
half
of each end. When it was near zero overnight it was fairly warm under
the
trailer.

That it was warm under the trailer doesn't necessarily imply the
ground under the supports didn't freeze/thaw. The symptom after the
warmup after cold is pretty typical of a minor heave movement. If the
blocking is just sitting on the ground, wouldn't be at all surprised
if it moved some after a spell of zero-degree weather.

If it isn't related to something overall, then the conclusion has to
be something on the frame itself or the mounting to which it fastened
moved.


There is no indication that this is an old problem as there were no marks on
the storm door frame. Why would it take 10 years to see this? We just left
for the week. When I get back I'll have to check for twisting, if the
problem is still there. Which still leaves the question as to why the entry
door is fine and unaffected.

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
. net...

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

t...





"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the
opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in
the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had
near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today.
Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and
squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?


The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the threshold.
There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against the aluminum
threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't change, only the
storm door.


Got back from the trip and the door now works fine again. It has been in
the 60 all week. The entry door has only a slightly larger gap than the
storm door. If the door frame got squeezed enough to require forcing the
storm door open and closed, why did the gap on the entry door not change?
They share the common door frame!

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
t...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
. net...

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

t...





"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the
opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been in
the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had
near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50 today.
Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and
squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?


The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the
threshold. There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against
the aluminum threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't
change, only the storm door.


Got back from the trip and the door now works fine again. It has been in
the 60 all week. The entry door has only a slightly larger gap than the
storm door. If the door frame got squeezed enough to require forcing the
storm door open and closed, why did the gap on the entry door not change?
They share the common door frame!

The inner and outer edges of the door frame do not necessarily remain an
equal distance apart. It is entirely possible for the outsides to move
closer together without the insides doing so. In other words, the jamb can
twist slightly. You can probably jack or lever the outsides apart slightly
if needed. Everything in the world is elastic, just some things more than
others.

Don Young

"Don Young" wrote in message
...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
t...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
. net...

wrote in message
ups.com...
On Feb 18, 9:03 pm, "Noozer" wrote:
"Mike Dobony" wrote in message

t...





"Noozer" wrote in message
news:j98Ch.1046448$R63.545125@pd7urf1no...

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
.net...
We recently moved into a '96 mobile home and have developed an
interesting problem. The storm door opening is narrowing at the
bottom.
The frame doesn't seem to have moved (there is a metal threshold
between
the door frame sides), but now the door is too small for the
opening.
The storm door frame is tight to the wooden frame. We have been
in the
trailer since early November and have not had a problem. We have
been
having generally warm weather (above freezing), but recently had
near
zero temps lately and are in a warming spell again, up to 50
today. Any
ideas would be welcomed!

Any chance that it's a cheap door and IT is swelling?

Aluminum swells?

I didn't seem Aluminum mentioned anywhere.

Then I'd agree that the ends of the trailer may be drooping and
squeezing
the frame.

how about frost heave ?


The ground isn't frozen. In fact, it started after the temps went above
freezing. Trouble is, the door frame width is locked in by the
threshold. There is no sign of any compacting of the wood frame against
the aluminum threshold. The main door is still a good fit. It didn't
change, only the storm door.


Got back from the trip and the door now works fine again. It has been in
the 60 all week. The entry door has only a slightly larger gap than the
storm door. If the door frame got squeezed enough to require forcing the
storm door open and closed, why did the gap on the entry door not change?
They share the common door frame!

The inner and outer edges of the door frame do not necessarily remain an
equal distance apart. It is entirely possible for the outsides to move
closer together without the insides doing so.

Even with an aluminum threshold there to keep the sides from moving in?

In other words, the jamb can
twist slightly. You can probably jack or lever the outsides apart slightly
if needed. Everything in the world is elastic, just some things more than
others.


I tried to move it, but only cracked the door frame. It refused to move,
even after removing the screws on the storm door frame. There was no room
to move as there is no gap between the storm door frame and the entry frame.

Don Young

I tried to move it, but only cracked the door frame. It refused to move,
even after removing the screws on the storm door frame. There was no room
to move as there is no gap between the storm door frame and the entry
frame.


It is not clear just why the door is binding but it seems strange that there
would be absolutely no gap between the two frames. Door frames are not real
high precision assemblies and there is usually some allowance for
mis-alignment and/or sllightly differing dimensions.

I suspect that the solution to your problem will require removal of both
frames and cutting back the rough opening to allow enough space for the
doors and their frames to fit squarely in the opening with the proper
clearances all around. You should not attempt to install them too tightly,
they need small gaps everywhere.

Don Young

"Don Young" wrote in message
...

I tried to move it, but only cracked the door frame. It refused to move,
even after removing the screws on the storm door frame. There was no
room to move as there is no gap between the storm door frame and the
entry frame.


It is not clear just why the door is binding but it seems strange that
there would be absolutely no gap between the two frames. Door frames are
not real high precision assemblies and there is usually some allowance for
mis-alignment and/or sllightly differing dimensions.

I suspect that the solution to your problem will require removal of both
frames and cutting back the rough opening to allow enough space for the
doors and their frames to fit squarely in the opening with the proper
clearances all around. You should not attempt to install them too tightly,
they need small gaps everywhere.


This I know. There is a small gap between the door jam (rough opening) and
the entry door frame (less than 1/4"). There is zero gap between the entry
door frame and the storm door frame. If I go to the trouble of doing as you
suggest I would go the extra mile and put in a real door and storm door.

However, the point I am trying to get an answer to is how the door frame can
shrink on the outside edge only when there is an aluminum threshold
preventing the frame from moving in. It was only jamming at the bottom foot
to foot and a half. There was still a gap between the rough opening and the
frame (I looked under the molding). Nothing anyone has said makes any sense
of the situation. After returning a week after this problem developed the
problem is gone, for now.

Mike Dobony

"Mike Dobony" wrote in message
...

"Don Young" wrote in message
...

I tried to move it, but only cracked the door frame. It refused to
move,
even after removing the screws on the storm door frame. There was no
room to move as there is no gap between the storm door frame and the
entry frame.


It is not clear just why the door is binding but it seems strange that
there would be absolutely no gap between the two frames. Door frames are
not real high precision assemblies and there is usually some allowance
for mis-alignment and/or sllightly differing dimensions.

I suspect that the solution to your problem will require removal of both
frames and cutting back the rough opening to allow enough space for the
doors and their frames to fit squarely in the opening with the proper
clearances all around. You should not attempt to install them too
tightly, they need small gaps everywhere.


This I know. There is a small gap between the door jam (rough opening)
and the entry door frame (less than 1/4"). There is zero gap between the
entry door frame and the storm door frame. If I go to the trouble of
doing as you suggest I would go the extra mile and put in a real door and
storm door.

However, the point I am trying to get an answer to is how the door frame
can shrink on the outside edge only when there is an aluminum threshold
preventing the frame from moving in. It was only jamming at the bottom
foot to foot and a half. There was still a gap between the rough opening
and the frame (I looked under the molding). Nothing anyone has said makes
any sense of the situation. After returning a week after this problem
developed the problem is gone, for now.

Mike Dobony
I agree that it seems very strange and that the reason has probably not been
found. It may be in the category of "one of the world's great mysteries", of
which I have had my share. I do think that the solution is to just open up
the clearances, however that might be done, and you are probably the only
one who can determine how that might be. Good luck.

Don Young