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How to Fix a Sticky Door  

Entry and interior doors are straight forward – the doors swing on its hinges whenever you push or pull, allowing for a seamlessly open and close function. Nothing to worry about until one day, your door does not open or close as easily, causing difficulty and frustration. This is a sticky door. 

There are several reasons a door may stick – from loose hardware to a sagging frame, seized hinges, or even humidity can all be the cause. However, fixing a sticky door is simple and can be done with these easy steps below:  

  1. Inspect your door: Look at the inside of the frame and the outside of the door for signs that might explain why your door is getting stuck.  This includes scratched paint, worn edges, or indents that may indicate where the door is sticking.  
  1. Locate the problem area: By locating where your door is sticking, you can narrow down the true cause of the problem. If your door gets stuck at the top of the frame, this can be due to a sagging frame or loose hinges. If it is the middle of the frame, this can be due to a loose strike plate.  
  1. Clean your door and lubricate your hinges: Once you have found the location and determined the culprit, it is important to treat the entire door. Here, you will clean the outside edge of the door and inside the door frame using a cloth with soapy water. Then, apply WD-40 to the hinges.  
  1. Tighten your hinges and strike plate: Loose hinges can cause the door to sag. Tighten them to the frame and the door using a screwdriver. Note: A drill may strip the screws if they are too small.  
  1. Replace screws if needed: If you find your screws are already stripped, now’s the time to replace them.  
  1. Test your door: Now that you have completed the following steps to fix your sticky door, test it. Make sure nothing else needs to be tightened, replaced, or lubricated.  

Now, you have the tools to understand what is happening should it occur again. For more tips, tricks, and how-to’s check out the rest of our Secure Home blogs.  

November 5, 2024