Pet door adjust in Exeter
Professional pet door adjust services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
30-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Pet door adjusted for smooth operation, better weather sealing, and fixed lock mechanism. Stops draughts, reduces noise, and makes life easier for pets and owners.
When Pet Doors Stop Working Properly
A stiff cat flap is torture for older cats with arthritis. A draughty dog door is costing you money in heating bills. And a broken lock means unwanted wildlife (or neighbour's cat) wandering in at 3am.
💡 Pro tip: Most pet door problems are fixable without full replacement. Cleaning, adjusting, and replacing seals solves 80% of issues. But sometimes the unit is so old or damaged that replacement is the better option - I'll be honest about which makes sense.
Common Pet Door Problems
Here's what usually goes wrong and how to spot it:
| ✅ Working Properly | ❌ Needs Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Flap swings freely, closes gently | Stiff, pet struggles to push through |
| Seals tight, no draughts | Cold air blowing through constantly |
| Lock engages smoothly | Lock doesn't catch or won't release |
| Quiet operation | Loud flapping or banging noise |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check mechanism, seals, frame alignment, lock |
| Adjust/Repair | Clean, lubricate, realign, replace worn parts |
| Test | Ensure smooth operation and good weather seal |
📦 You're Left With
- Smooth-operating pet door
- Better weather sealing (less draught)
- Working lock mechanism
- Quieter operation
Pricing Guide
| Work Required | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Clean, adjust, lubricate | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Seal replacement + adjustment | 45-60 mins | £60-£85 |
| Lock repair or flap replacement | 60+ mins | £85+ |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Replacement parts (seals, flaps) quoted separately if needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Stiff flap - pet struggling to get through
✅ Draughty - cold air coming through constantly
✅ Broken lock - can't secure it at night
✅ Noisy - loud flapping drives you mad
Why Choose Us for Pet door adjust in Exeter?
Smooth operation for easy pet access
Better weather sealing to stop draughts
Lock mechanism fixed if broken
Flap replaced if worn or damaged
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnosis
I'll test the flap operation, check seals and frame alignment, test the lock, and identify what's causing the problem. Often it's multiple small issues combining.
Step 2: Adjust & Repair
Depending what's wrong: deep clean and lubricate the mechanism, realign the frame if it's shifted, replace worn seals, adjust flap tension, or repair/replace the lock mechanism.
Step 3: Test & Advise
I'll test everything works smoothly, check for draughts, and show you how to maintain it. If replacement makes more sense than repair, I'll explain why and quote for that instead.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle pet door problems yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Screwdrivers (usually Phillips and flathead)
- Silicone spray lubricant (NOT WD-40 - attracts dirt)
- Clean cloths
- Replacement seals (if worn - buy from manufacturer)
- Old toothbrush for cleaning gunk
🧹 Cleaning and lubrication
- Remove the flap assembly if possible (makes cleaning easier)
- Clean all moving parts with warm soapy water
- Use toothbrush to get dirt out of hinges and recesses
- Dry thoroughly
- Apply silicone spray to pivot points and hinges
- Wipe off excess - you want lubrication, not a dripping mess
🔒 Fixing common problems
- Stiff flap: Usually dirt in hinges - clean thoroughly and lubricate
- Draughts: Check seals aren't perished - replace if hard or cracked
- Won't lock: Check magnet position or mechanical catch alignment
- Noisy: Lubricate hinges and check flap isn't warped
- Won't close: Frame might have shifted - check alignment with spirit level
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using WD-40 (attracts dirt, makes problem worse long-term)
- Over-tightening screws (cracks plastic frames)
- Forcing warped flaps back into shape (they spring back)
- Ignoring frame alignment (causes binding no matter how much you lubricate)
💡 Pro trick: If the frame has shifted in the door/wall, loosening all screws slightly, pushing the frame square, then retightening often solves binding issues. Check alignment with a spirit level before tightening.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐱 Older cats and stiff flaps: Cats with arthritis really struggle with stiff pet doors. If adjustment doesn't help enough, consider upgrading to a microchip-activated one - many have low-resistance flaps that are much easier to push through.
When to replace instead of repair: If the frame is cracked, the flap is warped badly, or it's a really cheap old unit, replacement often makes more sense than throwing money at repairs. Modern pet doors seal better, operate smoother, and have better security.
Microchip pet doors: If you're dealing with neighbour's cats coming in, or wildlife visitors, upgrading to a microchip-activated door solves that problem permanently. I can supply and fit these - they're brilliant but more expensive than basic flaps.
Dog doors vs cat flaps: Dog doors take more abuse and wear out faster. If yours is getting old, it might be worth replacing with a better quality one rather than repeatedly adjusting a worn-out unit.
Older houses with thick walls: Pet doors in thick Devon stone walls can be tricky. If the tunnel is very long, draughts are harder to eliminate completely. I can fit tunnel extensions or draft excluders to help, but physics is physics - some air movement is inevitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has my cat flap become so stiff?
Usually dirt build-up in the hinge mechanism, the flap warping slightly, or the frame shifting and binding. I'll clean it thoroughly, check alignment, and lubricate moving parts. If the flap itself is damaged or warped, it might need replacing.
Can you stop the draught coming through?
Usually yes - draughts are often from worn seals, gaps around the frame, or the flap not closing fully. I can replace seals, adjust the flap tension, or improve the installation. Sometimes the whole unit needs replacing if it's very old or damaged.
My pet door lock doesn't work - can you fix it?
Depends on the lock type and what's wrong. Magnetic locks are usually fixable if the magnet has moved or weakened. Mechanical locks can often be repaired if parts aren't broken. If it's completely shot, I'll advise on replacement options.
Will you replace the whole pet door if needed?
Yes - if adjustment isn't enough and replacement makes more sense, I can supply and fit a new one. I'll discuss options and costs before proceeding. Sometimes adjusting the existing one works fine though.
Can you make it quieter when my cat uses it at night?
I can try! Usually involves lubricating hinges, adjusting flap tension, or adding soft-close features if the model supports it. Some flapping is inevitable with older basic models, but I can usually reduce the noise.
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