Why Are My Internal Doors Sticking?
Why Are My Internal Doors Sticking?
If you have a door that doesn’t open and close smoothly, you’ll know how infuriating it can be. To be constantly shoving and pushing your door every time you pass through it can be a real headache. The good news is, this minor annoyance can be rectified relatively simply, and by following some helpful tips, you won’t ever have to shunt your internal doors again!
What Causes A Door To Stick?
Having internal wooden doors that stick and become difficult to open and close properly is a fairly common problem. Wooden doors are made from a natural material susceptible to environmental factors like humidity and heat. You might notice that after a particularly rainy spell, your doors don’t seem to close as well, and this is because wood is porous. A wooden door will absorb the humidity from the atmosphere, making it swell and become a slightly different shape than it was previously. It isn’t only moisture that causes wooden doors to stick. Other common issues are:
- The frame is warped or swollen.
- The hinges have moved or are sagging.
- The door hasn’t been installed properly.
- New flooring.
As annoying as they are, these issues are perfectly treatable. Read on to discover how to fix sticking doors in your home.
What Tools Will I Need?
Repairing an internal wooden door that sticks is one of those DIY jobs that many of us can tackle successfully. In terms of tools, there are a few essential items that you need:
- Screwdriver – to loosen or tighten screws.
- Sandpaper – for finishing an area that has been planed.
- Hand plane, electric plane or belt sander – to remove the wood where the door is sticking.
- Chalk – to mark the area that is sticking.
- Shims (possibly) – to pack out and readjust the frame.
- Paint or other coating – to recover the area that has been planed.
Top Tip: Work slowly and carefully, allowing plenty of time to adjust and re-adjust the door until it fits perfectly.
How To Fix a Sticking Door
Before you begin fixing your door, establish what has caused the sticking. If the door has changed shape slightly, through swelling or becoming warped from moisture damage, it’s time to remove it from its hinges and trim it back to the original size. This job isn’t as hard as it might sound; you’ll need a few basic tools and enough strength to lift the door. Here are some simple instructions to follow:
- Use chalk to mark the door exactly where it rubs or sticks to the door frame.
- Unscrew the hinges and lift the door away from the frame.
- Using a hand plane, electric plane or belt sander, sand the edge of the door to the required size.
- Attach the door back onto its hinges.
- Stain or paint the newly planed wood to protect it.
Planing the door is probably the most challenging repair you will likely undertake if your door is sticking. Internal doors can become misaligned through constant use or slamming; often, a simple tweak is enough to fix the problem. If this is the case, try these other remedies:
- Tighten the hinge screws – sometimes, if the hinge screws become loose, the door can drop slightly or become misaligned so tightening them up can solve the sticking. It’s also worth replacing old screws with new, longer ones as old screws can only be tightened so much.
- Reposition the door – drive a long screw though the door frame into the wall framing. This can move the frame enough to prevent sticking.
- Check the strike plate – if your door is catching on the strike plate, it may mean it is protruding or has become loose. This will cause the door to scrape on the latch. Try tightening the screws or if this doesn’t work, remove the strike plate completely and reposition it. In this case, make sure you fill the old screw holes before making new ones.
After adjusting, always open and close the door repeatedly to check that there is no further catching on the frame.
Top Tip: Be careful not to sand too much off your door. Removing small amounts gradually is best until you reach the required size.
Preventing Future Problems
Humidity in the home is a common issue that affects internal wooden doors. If this is making your doors swell and stick, monitor humidity levels and use a dehumidifier when the level is high. You can also try sealing the doors to prevent moisture intake.
Keeping doors and door furniture clean and well lubricated can also be a successful way to avoid sticking doors. This is an easy way to prevent the build-up of dirt and dust which can cause hinges and screws to become loose and fit poorly.
Inserting door shims is a useful way to prevent doors from sticking. And if you’re wondering what on earth a door shim is, read on…
A door shim is a slim piece of wood inserted between the door frame and the wall, or the door hinge and the door frame. It is an extra layer of padding that allows the door to be adjusted, so that you can get it just right.
Internal doors are available in several materials, such as oak doors, pine doors, and walnut doors. If you’re unsure which door style or finish to choose for your home, contact the team at Doorstation for some friendly advice. Doors are our business and we’re experts of every type. Whether it’s flush, French, pocket or sliding we have expert knowledge and experience to hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my wooden door hard to open?
Sudden changes in temperature or humidity can make doors difficult to open. If humidity is high, the frame and door swell, closing the gap and making the door stick.
Will WD-40 help a swollen door?
Applying WD-40 to a stuck-on, swollen door will loosen hinges and fittings and reduce friction so that the door can be opened. However, this is only a temporary fix and should not be used regularly.
Why are my internal doors sticking in winter?
Cold weather often expands wood, stiffening door fixings like hinges. This can make doors stick more in the winter. Also, during the winter, the temperature inside often fluctuates as we switch the heating on and off, making the natural material of wooden doors and frames swell.
Can swollen wooden doors return to their original size?
Yes, when the wood dries, it usually contracts back to its standard size.
Do painted wooden doors swell?
Some weather-resistant paints and coatings create a barrier and prevent wooden doors from absorbing moisture and swelling. This can be helpful if humidity is a particular problem in your home.
Do sticking doors mean foundation problems?
With newer houses, it often takes time for the building to settle properly, and shifting foundations is a fairly common problem. In this situation, you may find that doors are no longer ‘plum’ and cracks in the walls may even appear.
