Swelling Doors

How to Fix Sticking Doors

Overview:

The dilemma of swelling doors has been around since the first carpenter manufactured a wooden door and installed it in a home. As most houses have a dozen or more interior doors and at least two exterior doors (front door and back door), home owners must deal with this dilemma every time the season changes from humid summers to drier winters. Follow these tips to resolve your sticky door problem.

During these seasonal changes the inside humidity changes which causes wooden doors to expand and contract, and we get swelling doors. As the doors swell and stick as humid weather approaches the home owner frequently becomes befuddled as to how to remedy the problem. Sticky, creaky, and nuisance swelling doors is a problem nearly every homeowner can relate to. Sometimes the door won't shut and other times it's a major project to get the door to even open.  Door problems can be caused by a variety of factors in addition to humidity such as hardware failure, wear and tear, shifting in the house structure or improper installation from the start.  

There are several remedies to resolve the cycle of door swelling during weather changes. Normally when doors are installed the carpenter allows for seasonal swelling by insuring there is sufficient clearance between the door panel and casing. As most doors are pre-hung units they must be installed near perfectly straight and level (plumb) to allow for equal clearance between the door panel and the casing. If the door is just slightly out of plumb the clearance will not be equal. An out of plumb door will either cause a jamming problem immediately or when there is a humidity change. It is nearly impossible to make an out of plum door plum without removing and reinstalling it. If the problem is severe this may be the only solution although there are others to consider.

Tips for swollen or stuck doors:

1. If it is obvious where the door is sticking, sand the area using a light sand paper and reapply finish paint. If it is not obvious use a piece of carbon paper to locate the sticky point then sand that area until the door operates freely.

2. Check for hardware failure such as loose screws and hinges. Tighten any loose screws and check the door for sticking. If the problem still persists look further.

3. Check to see if the door and frame has shifted or is misaligned. Look carefully around the strike plates and bolt. If      there is a misalignment take out the strike plate and file it to fit properly. If the bolt is out of alignment the frame may have to be adjusted by installing longer screws in the hinges or putting in additional finish nails to reset or reposition the jam.

4. If the door is jamming along the bottom edge and items 1, 2 or 3 will not solve the problem it is probably caused by either a swollen door or the floor beneath the door may be swollen due to the humidity or moisture from water entry. In either case it may be necessary to remove the door and repair the floor beneath the door by sanding and applying a sealer to keep the moisture out. Replace or install weather stripping as necessary.

If these suggestions do not remedy your sticky or door swelling problems consider bringing in a professional carpenter to assist you.

See more DIY home improvement projects.