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Door Repair or Replace? How to Decide and Common HDB Fire‑Door Rules
AM Handyman Service SG5 min read
#door repair#HDB fire door#SCDF#digital lock#hinge repair#home safety
Door Repair or Replace? How to Decide and Common HDB Fire‑Door Rules
Your doors are the most used moving parts of your home. They provide privacy, security, and in the case of HDB main doors, a critical fire‑safety function. When a door starts sagging, jamming, or failing to latch, the first question is: should I repair this, or is it time for a new one?
For HDB flat owners, there’s an added layer—fire‑door compliance. SCDF enforces strict standards for main entrance doors, and failing to meet them during an inspection can result in fines or enforcement action. This guide helps you make the right decision and understand the regulations.
When to Repair Your Door
Many door problems are cosmetic or hardware‑related and can be fixed quickly without replacing the leaf. At AM Handyman Service SG, we successfully repair doors that are:
- Sagging or scraping the floor – usually worn hinges. We replace them with heavy‑duty ball‑bearing stainless steel hinges, re‑chisel the recess, and re‑align the door. This takes about 1 hour.
- Hard to close due to swelling – common in humid months. We plane the edge carefully and seal with paint or varnish to prevent future moisture ingress.
- Loose handle or latch – we replace the lock body or handle, often without changing the entire lock case.
- Squeaky hinges – lubrication or replacement solves it.
- Gap around the door frame – we adjust the strike plate or add a draught‑excluder.
When to Replace the Door Leaf
- Severe termite damage – if more than 30% of the core is hollowed, structural integrity is compromised.