Fixing a Sticking Door

Gravity is the primary enemy of every door in your home. Over time, hinge screws loosen, the house settles, or wood expands due to seasonal humidity, causing a door to drag against the frame. A sticking door isn't just a nuisance; it puts unnecessary stress on the latch mechanism and eventually ruins the door frame finish. Fixing this is a process of elimination. You start by tightening the existing hardware, move to subtle hinge adjustments, and only resort to material removal as a final step. When done well, the door should swing freely and latch firmly with a satisfying click, leaving a consistent gap between the door and the jamb on all sides.

1. Spot the Bind Point. Close the door slowly and observe where it makes contact with the frame. Look for marks on the paint or wood indicating rub points along the top, bottom, or latch side.
2. Tighten Every Hinge. Open the door and inspect the screws holding the hinges to the frame and the door itself. Use a manual screwdriver to snug every screw, replacing any stripped ones with slightly longer screws if the wood is loose.
3. Shim for Alignment. If the door drags on the latch side, place a thin cardboard shim behind the hinge leaf attached to the jamb. This physically shifts the door toward the hinge side to create clearance.
4. Mark the Rubbing Zone. If adjustments fail, identify the exact area of interference. Use a pencil to draw a line on the door where it rubs against the jamb, ensuring you have enough space to remove material.
5. Plane Away Obstruction. Remove the door from its hinges if the bind is significant, or plane it in place if it is minor. Use a sharp block plane to shave thin layers of wood from the high point, keeping the plane flat against the surface.
6. Seal and Protect. Once the door swings freely, sand the raw wood edge smooth with 120-grit sandpaper. Apply a coat of paint or wood sealer to the exposed area to prevent future moisture absorption.