Floors and doors

How to Fix a Sticking Door: Humidity and Other Causes

Why doors swell and rub in Georgia humidity, and how to fix them with a screwdriver, a plane or new hinges.

A door that rubs, sticks or won't latch is one of those small annoyances that can drive you crazy. In west Georgia, humidity is often the cause, but not always. Here's how to figure out the cause and how to fix a sticking door.

Why Doors Stick

Humidity

Wood takes in moisture from the air and swells. In our humid summers, a door that fit fine in January can start rubbing by July. Doors with bare, unpainted edges (often the top and bottom) soak up moisture faster.

Loose hinge screws

This is the most common cause we see. As screws loosen, the door sags toward the latch side and rubs at the top corner.

Paint buildup

Layers of paint on the door edge and the frame add up, especially in older homes.

House movement

Settling or foundation movement can push the door frame out of square. If several doors start sticking at once, pay attention.

Worn or bent hinges

Hinges wear over time, and a heavy door can bend them.

Find Where It Rubs

1. Close the door slowly and look for where it catches.
2. Look for shiny, worn spots or scraped paint on the door edge and frame.
3. Slide a piece of paper around the gap with the door closed. Where it binds, the door is tight.
4. Check the gap around the door. An even gap is good. A gap that's wide at the top on one side and tight at the other means the door is sagging.

Fixes, From Easiest to Hardest

1. Tighten the hinge screws

Open the door and tighten every hinge screw on both the door and the frame.

If a screw just spins:

• Replace it with a longer screw (about 3 inches) on the frame side, so it reaches the wall framing behind the jamb. This is especially helpful on the top hinge.
• Or fill the stripped hole with wooden toothpicks or a golf tee dipped in wood glue, let it dry, trim it flush, and drive the screw back in.

This one fix solves a lot of sticking doors.

2. Lubricate the hinges

Squeaky, stiff hinges can make a door feel like it's sticking. Pull the hinge pins one at a time, wipe them clean, add a little lubricant, and tap them back in.

3. Sand the rubbing spot

If the door only rubs a little in one place:

1. Mark the spot with a pencil.
2. Sand it down with medium-grit sandpaper on a block.
3. Check the fit.
4. Seal or paint the sanded edge so it doesn't soak up moisture.

4. Plane the door

For bigger rubs, the door may need to come off the hinges to be planed.

1. Close the door and mark where it rubs.
2. Remove the hinge pins and take the door down. Get help; doors are heavy.
3. Plane slowly, working from the edges toward the middle so you don't split the corners.
4. Take off a little at a time and test often. Remember the door may shrink back in drier weather.
5. Seal or paint the planed edge.

Exterior doors often have weatherstripping and specific gaps. Planing them too much can leave drafts and leaks.

5. Shim or replace hinges

A thin cardboard shim behind a hinge can tilt the door just enough to clear a tight spot. Bent or worn hinges should be replaced.

Exterior Doors Need Extra Care

Exterior doors face rain, sun and the biggest humidity swings. Check the weatherstripping, the door sweep and the caulk around the frame. Gaps let water in, which swells the wood even more. Our guide on caulking windows and doors covers sealing up those gaps.

When Sticking Doors Mean Something Bigger

Look closer if you notice:

• Several doors sticking at the same time
• New diagonal cracks above door frames
• Sloping or bouncy floors
• Gaps opening between walls and ceilings
• Doors that suddenly swing open or closed on their own

These can be signs the house is moving. Our guide to drywall crack causes helps you tell normal cracks from warning signs. If it looks structural, call a structural engineer or foundation specialist before fixing the doors.

How HLM Can Help

Our door repair service covers sticking, sagging and dragging doors, loose hinges, latches that won't catch, worn weatherstripping and damaged trim. If the trim around the door is damaged, we handle trim and baseboards too.

Get Your Doors Working Again

Call or text (706) 594-5049 and send a short video of the door closing. You can also fill out the free estimate form. Pricing depends on the job, and estimates are free.