How to Fix a Sticking Door

Doors tend to sag after they have been on hinges and in use for quite some time. Their weight can cause the door jamb to twist and lose function, resulting in a sticking or sagging door. Trimming the door is a common way to fix this. Before considering this option, however, there are other solutions you can try. Handyman Connection® of Eden Prairie shares three simple fixes to a sticking door:

Adjust the Hinges

While doors are not completely adjustable, driving a long screw into the wall frame can reposition the door by drawing the hinge and jamb to the frame. Before doing so, however, first determine where the door and jamb rub against each other. If the door rubs near the top, you should draw in the upper hinge. If it’s closer to the lower side, draw the bottom hinge in. If the door is rubbing along the side, you should draw in all the hinges. With this method, you can move your door up to 1/8 inches, just enough to keep it from sticking.

Draw the Jamb In 

This is an excellent alternative if adjusting the hinges doesn’t work. Start by driving a screw on the center of the area where the door is rubbing against the framing.  Carefully tighten the screw, make sure you aren’t opening any joints as this can worsen the problem. When done, cover the exposed screws with wood filler, and sand the area to smoothen its surface.

Tighten the Hinge Screws

The years of constant operation can loosen the screws holding your door to the frame. Fortunately, you can easily fix this by re-tightening them using a screwdriver. Avoid using a drill as it’s easy to over tighten and strip the screw with it. If you have a hollow door, you can simply reinforce the screw hole. Coat wood splinters in glue, and fill the hole with them. When dry, drive in the original screw.

If none of these methods work, you can turn to Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie for help. As the trusted local general contractor, we can help you restore your home’s condition. Contact us today at (952) 777-4875 to learn more about the different services we offer. You can also get an estimate.