If you have a door that keep sticking, then as well as being extremely annoying, you’ll be wanting to get it fixed. As well as the noise, it’s also inconvenient, because you want it to open and shut normally, not stick constantly. The question is what can you do about it?

The vulnerability of older doors when they stick.

Older doors are especially prone to sticking and we’re going to discuss this today with you. Both internal and external doors can get sticky and stiff as they get older and there is a way to fix this. It doesn’t have to take long, but you need to check your door properly first, so you are able to identify what the problem is and what’s causing the sticking. 

Hinge screw check.

Firstly, check the hinge screws. These are the screws in the door and of course the jamb. Make sure there’s a snug fit and use a screwdriver to tighten them rather than using a drill, it’s gentler. If you use a drill, it’s likely that this might over-tighten them or even strip the screw holes themselves.  It’s natural that over the years, as doors are open and shut over and over again that the screws just loosen over time. 

You can also adjust door hinges.

You do this by driving a long enough screw through the jamb itself into the wall frame, and by doing this, you’ll draw both jamb and hinge towards the frame and reposition the door just slightly. See where you need to adjust by checking the door, and make sure it’s closed before you do this. Rubbing by the side jamb means you’ll need to work on drawing in the upper most hinge, if the door is rubbing and sticking near the lower side of the jamb then you’ll need to draw the bottom hinge in.

Draw in the jamb and planing the door.

Drive a screw into the jamb on the latch side and draw the jam in, so you’ll be giving the door some more space. Do this only if you’ve already tried drawing the hinges in and it hasn’t worked. You could also try and plane the door if none of the above works. Scribe the door where it’s rubbing against the top or side of the jamb. Use a belt sander to do this, or even an electric planer or hand plane. 

Removing and rehanging the door.

You may also want to consider removing and then rehanging your door. Always try to get someone to help if you decide to do this. There’ll be less potential for damage to the actual door, the frame and the surrounding wall. 

The Replacement Door Company – for a wide range of beautifully designed quality internal & external doors.

Alternatively, you can buy new doors through us here at The Replacement Door Company rather than repairing your older doors. It may well be that it’s time to replace your door because with time it may be beyond repair. If you’ve attempted all of the above and your door is still sticking, it may time for a new, more reliable door that will give you another 20 years’ worth of durability and function. Why not take a look at our versatile range of doors and then give us a call, we’re more than happy to help you pick a new one that fits your style and personal taste. Get in touch today.