How To Fix A Sticking Door
A sticking door can be frustrating, and often, people will simply put up with it to avoid the hassle of taking it off its hinges and sanding down some of the problematic edges.
Whether it's a door that doesn't close smoothly, scrapes against the floor, or needs a good shove to open, this problem can become a real nuisance.
If this is you, fear no more. Fixing a sticking door is often more straightforward than you'd think, requiring just a few basic tools and a little know-how.
In this guide, we'll walk you through simple steps to diagnose the issue and offer fixes so you can get your door moving smoothly again in no time.
Table of Contents
- Step-by-step guide to how to fix a sticking door
- What causes a door to stick?
- How to prevent future doors from sticking
Step-by-step guide to how to fix a sticking door
If you’re looking for some quick triage tips for fixing your sticking door, follow these steps:
Tools needed
- Screwdriver
- Belt sander, hand plane or electric planer
- Sandpaper
- Chalk
- Tighten the screws: This is a common and easy fix. Use a manual screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws on both the door and the door frame. Don’t use a drill, as it can sometimes strip the screw holes and make the problem worse.
- Adjust the hinge: Your door might need a little repositioning. Drive a long screw through the door frame into the wall framing. This can move the door by approximately 1/8th of an inch, which may be enough to stop your sticking problem.
- Adjust the jamb: Another way of drawing in the hinge is to try driving a long screw through the latch side of the door frame. This will give the door the extra bit of wiggle room it needs to open and close without sticking.
- Plane the door: If none of the above methods work, you may need to plane the door. Mark on the door with chalk exactly where it rubs against the door frame, then remove the door from its hinges. We recommend planing the door using a belt sander, hand plane or electric planer. You’ll need to hang the door back on its hinges to check the fit, but if this is fine, all you’ll need to do is paint or stain the sanded area to match the rest of the door.
Tip: A sticking door is very often symptomatic of a dropped door. For more information, follow our guide to fixing a dropped door.
While these are some quick ways to fix your sticking door, it will be more beneficial to identify the cause of your sticking door to address the issue to ensure it doesn’t reoccur.
What causes a door to stick?
- Door misalignment
- Door swelling due to humidity
- Door hinges sagging
- New flooring
Fixing door misalignment
Identifying the problem: Doors can shift out of alignment over time. It can happen because of changes to the foundation or the doorframe settling. Moving foundations is a more common problem with new homes. As the foundations ‘settle’, the walls can warp, meaning the door frames are no longer straight. Houses are usually built to accommodate this, but any significant shifts will lead to frame misalignment and doors sticking.
To check if your door is misaligned, close it and see if the top or side of it sits close to the frame. If not, the door might be sticking due to misalignment. You can also use a spirit level to check the alignment of your frame. If it's not level, your door frame may have shifted out of plumb.
Fix:
- Adjusting the hinges can help with misalignment. Tighten the screws in the top hinge. If the screws don’t tighten because they’re stripped, drive a longer screw through instead.
- Add shims (a thin, tapered piece of material used to adjust the alignment of a door frame to make it plumb and level) where necessary.
Fixing a door swelling due to humidity
Identifying the problem: Wooden doors can naturally swell or warp due to changes in humidity and temperature. If you live in a humid area or your home has excess moisture (more than 70% humidity level), the door may have swelled slightly, causing it to rub against the frame. This is more common during seasonal changes and can also be true for non-wooden doors like PVC, fibreglass or metal.
Fix:
- Using dehumidifiers to absorb excess moisture and reduce humidity levels.
- If the door is too warped, you may need to plane or replace it.
Fixing door hinges sagging
Identifying the problem: Loose or sagging hinges can also cause a door to stick. If the screws holding the hinges to the door or frame become loose or the door is too heavy for the hinges, the door can hang slightly off-centre, which can cause friction and difficulty when opening or closing it.
Fix:
- Check the hinges to see if any screws need tightening.
- Tighten the hinge screws on both the door and the door frame.
- Use a manual screwdriver rather than a drill to avoid stripping the drill holes.
Fixing a door scraping on the floor
If you recently installed new flooring, chances are it will be thicker than your previous flooring. If this is the case, the bottom of the door will be sticking, and the door will need planing to allow a smooth close and air to circulate.
Fix:
- Sanding or planing the bottom of the door.
- Mark on the door exactly where it rubs against the door frame, then remove the door from its hinges.
- Plane the door using a belt sander, hand plane or electric planer and hang it back to ensure it fits.
How to prevent door sticking
- Check doors regularly, especially at the start of summer and winter
- Oil the hinges annually
- Check for moisture damage and sand down any swollen areas
- Tighten the hardware
FAQs
How do I stop a door from sticking in winter?
When doors warp or stick in winter, it’s usually due to temperature or humidity changes. Carry out the usual door maintenance by inspecting the door frame and hinges for signs of excessive moisture or loose screws. Use a dehumidifier and tighten the screws if needed to help the door stay securely in place and prevent sticking.
Will a swollen door go back to normal?
A swollen door might return to normal when humidity levels decrease. However, the changes might be permanent if there has been excessive moisture or extensive warping.
Shop internal doors and door hinges
A sticking door is a common but fixable problem that most homeowners can tackle with basic tools and a little patience. By identifying the cause - whether it’s loose hinges, swelling, or misalignment - and following the appropriate steps, you can restore your door to smooth operation.
If you’ve tried the above steps without success, it might be time to replace the door. Shop the full selection of internal and external doors, as well as door frames, that are sure to suit your needs at Leader Online.
