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- Katie Sims
- Identify the problem. When you come to fix a door that is sticking, the first thing to do is identify the sticking point. You can do this by closing the door and wedging a thick piece of card between the door and the frame.
- Lightly oil the hinges, edges and latch. 'If the card moves along freely and the edges seem to have an even gap, then it may be a bit of dirt or debris causing the problem,' explains Thomas Goodman, Property Expert, MyJobQuote.
- Tighten up the hinges. If you find it difficult to move the card in one or two places, or you notice the door's edge hitting the frame when you close it, it’s likely some movement has occurred when installing the door.
- Add some longer screws. If the screw keeps turning but won’t tighten, you may need some longer screws. If this is the case, get some longer screws from any hardware or DIY store and use them in place of the original screws.
- Inspect the door and frame. Before picking up your screwdriver, it's worth doing some troubleshooting. ' Finding the source of why your door is sticking can save you a lot of time and energy,' says Jeremy Barltrop, director at Ironmonger G Johns & Sons.
- Tighten hinges. If you noticed a couple of loose screws, a small adjustment like tightening the hinges may be all you need to do to fix it. If a screw spins but does not tighten, try replacing it with a slightly larger screw to secure it in place.
- Sand down a side of the door. If you've tightened the hinges and the door is still sticking, it may well be that humidity or seasonal changes in temperature have caused the wood of the frame or door to become swollen.
Step-by-Step Fixing Guide. 1. Identify the Sticking Point. Open and close the door several times to pinpoint where it's sticking. This step is crucial for determining the appropriate fix. If you're having trouble identifying the issue, our guide on troubleshooting door installation issues might be helpful. 2.
- Overview
- How to Find the Problem Area
- How to Address Seasonal Sticking
- How to Lubricate the Hinges
- How to Tighten the Hinge Screws
- How to Trim the Door
Doors can start sticking for various reasons, and it’s always a hassle. The wood can swell in the hot and humid summer air, the hinges can become loose with usage, and your house can even shift and settle over time, causing changes in the frame.
The key to fixing a sticking door is to determine what is causing the issue, and then you can decide if you can fix the problem with a simple trick or if you need a more intricate solution.
Examine the door with your eyes.
Look for scratches in the paint or any other noticeable damages to the door and frame. Also check for grime or any sticky buildup that may just need to be cleaned. Close the door and run your eyes along the gap between the door and the frame, noting places where the gap is very thin.
It is best to inspect an exterior door in a sunny or well-lit area.
Run a piece of heavy stock paper around the closed door.
This is very useful if you can’t determine where the door is sticking by physically examining it. The paper should glide smoothly around most of the door. Wherever the piece of paper gets stuck is the problem area.
Look for sticking areas as you open or close the door.
Rub the problem area with bar soap.
This should reduce the friction and allow the door to close more smoothly. Use a dry, moisturizer-free soap that leaves a powdery residue on the sides of the door.
Of course, this is a gentle and temporary solution and will need to be repeated sporadically during times of humidity.
One of the functions of the AC is to remove excess moisture from the air and decrease the humidity level in your home. While this can be a costly solution, it will help with your sticking doors. As the humidity in your home is lowered, the wood door will shrink in size.
If humidity causes your door to swell and stick, try running a dehumidifier in the room.
A dehumidifier works by sucking in air, removing the air’s moisture, and expelling the air back into the room. The main advantage of using a dehumidifier is that it is portable, which allows you to place it close to the sticking door.
Decide if the door hinges are causing the trouble.
When a door is opened and closed repeatedly, it’s no surprise that they can start to tarnish. Scratches and other superficial damage to the hinge can create friction and cause the door to stick.
If you are worried about the lubricant possibly staining the door, you can take the additional step of removing the door from the frame. You can find out how to remove a door from the hinges
Lay newspaper on the floor.
Just like the lubricant can stain the door, it can stain your floor. Cover the area directly under the hinges you are working on to prevent any dripping.
Apply petroleum jelly to the hinges.
Examine the bottom and top of the door as you open and close it.
The door may be sticking near the top or dragging at the floor. If this is the case, the screws in the hinges may have loosened over time.
Use a screwdriver to tighten each screw.
Do not use a drill, because over-tightening the screws can cause damage to the wood and cause bigger problems. Screw it in clockwise, and work slowly to make sure you don’t tighten too much.
Hinge screws are known to strip out, so you may have to add a longer screw or plug the hole and then re-screw it.
You may need to go back and tighten or loosen them. By loosening the screw you will reduce the gap between the door and the frame, and vice versa. Play around with it until it fits perfectly.
Confirm that the problem is not a temporary or more easily-solved problem.
If you’ve checked that the screws are firmly in the hinges, the hinges are well-oiled, and determined temporary humidity is not the issue, you may need to trim your door. This is an intricate, and permanent, fix.
Mark the spot on the door where it is sticking, and remove the door.
You can find out how to remove a door from the hinges
It is important to note exactly where the door is rubbing, so that you don’t over trim your door.
Use a sharp block plane to trim the door.
- 384.4K
Test the door to see if the adjustments have resolved the sticking issue . Trim the Door. Measure the area where the door is sticking; Remove the door from its hinges if necessary; Use a plane, saw, or sander to trim the problem area; Sand the edges until smooth, and then repaint or refinish if needed; Reinstall the door and test its movement
Jul 27, 2023 · To use this technique, remove a screw near the middle of the hinge (rather than the top or bottom screw). Drive in a 3-in. screw with a drill. When the screw is snug against the hinge, give the screw another quarter turn with a screwdriver. Close the door to check the fit. Continue tightening and checking until the door no longer sticks.
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Mar 4, 2023 · Acrylic-latex paint has a tendency to stick against doors. Brush the door stop with a light dusting of talcum powder or rub with candle wax to make the paint less sticky. The door stop is the vertical strip of wood that runs down the center of the door casing, which serves to stop the door from swinging any farther.
