A sticky door is a very common problem in a home. As seasons change and doors age, doors can become susceptible to a lot of problems that cause them to stick. If you have a door in your home that won’t close properly, here are some tips from your Coventry handyman to help you fix it.
Tighten loose screws
Your door likely has screws in both the hinges and the door jamb. Tighten all of the screws using a screwdriver. Avoid using a hand drill, as you could end up over- tightening the screws and stripping the screw holes of their ‘teeth.’ If the screw holes are already stripped, purchase longer screws and be careful not to over-tighten them.
Plane and sand sticking parts
If the door sticks at the top or bottom, you may need to remove some the door material by hand planing or sanding. Identify which part of the door is sticking, then remove the door using a hand plane or sander to shave a portion of the sticking part. Use a sand paper to smoothen the shaved part. Reinstall the door and test it to see if it closes and opens smoothly. If not, repeat the entire process again. Be careful not to take off too much, and be sure to paint the raw wood when you’re done.
Deepen the hinge mortises
This is the more labour-intensive of the tips provided here, as it involves taking some material out of the hinge side. To deepen the hinge mortises, start by removing the door from the jamb, then unscrew the hinges. Next, use a chisel to take off excess at the hinge area. Start by removing around 1/8 inches. Reinstall the hinges, then reattach the door to see if that does the job. If not, repeat the whole process again.
If none of the tips above work, or if you’re not confident that you can tackle the repair on your own, you can always trust Coventry handyman services such as Trade Squad to take care of the job for you. Get in touch with one of their representatives and ask how you can obtain a quote.
Sources
Fix Sagging or Sticking Doors, FamilyHandyman.com
How to Fix a Door That Sticks, ThisOldHouse.com
