Easy Fixes for a Sticking Door

Problems with doors often develop gradually as hinges age, paint finishes break down and houses settle. Many issues are easy to fix with a little know-how and needn't cost much money.

Whack the frame to get some clearance

First, check if the door is warped and ensure that the hinges have been correctly installed. If the door is straight and hung correctly, you'll need to find the high spot where the door catches the frame.

1. Rub a stick of coloured chalk on the edges of the door, then repeatedly open and close the door. Chalk marks on the frame will indicate the high spot.
2. Find a piece of scrap wood and a hammer. Place the wood against the frame at the point where the door is sticking and give it a couple of sharp whacks with the hammer — this may be enough to shift the frame back sufficiently to accommodate the door.

Sand down the high points 

If the door still sticks, you'll need to sand down the high point on the edge of the door. Keep the door still as you work by pushing two wooden wedges under the bottom edge, one facing in each direction.

• Use a power sander, or sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block, to make sure that you keep the surface flat. Sand a little deeper than is necessary to free the door to allow for a layer of paint. If you need to remove more than 0.5 centimetres (1/4 inch) of wood, use a plane to level out the high point. Paint the bare wood exposed by sanding — it'll help prevent moisture getting in and causing the wood to swell.
• If the door is sticking on the floor — for example, if you've recently laid a new, thicker carpet — you'll need to take it off its hinges to reach the bottom edge. Recruit a helper to support the weight of the door while you tap out the pins from all the hinges. Take care to control the door's movement as you work. With the hinges removed, lift the door away, sand and paint the bottom edge as described above, then rehang the door.
• For a quick fix, try rubbing a bar of soap along the top and side edges of the door — it may help to fix sticking.

A warped door is likely to stick. There's little you can do to straighten it, so you'll need to consider a replacement.

Warping may be obvious from looking at the door sideways, but if in doubt, open the door and hang a plumb line from the top of the open edge. If the edge of the door deviates from the line further down, the door is probably warped.