Fix a Sticking Door: Chalk Test, Tight Hinges and Light Sanding

Aaron Massey, host of the DIY show Home School, rates a sticking door as a fairly easy project. He lists three reasons a door sticks: humidity in the air that makes the door swell and hit the jamb, loose hinges that let it sag, and a house that has settled over time, especially an older one, shifting the door frame.

Find where it sticks

On some doors the spot is obvious because paint is chipping or stain is worn off. If not, rub colored chalk along the edge of the door and close it. Some chalk transfers to the door frame and shows the problem area.

Check the hinges

Hold the door with both hands and push it against the hinge side. If the hinges flex, they are loose, and tightening them may solve the problem. In older homes this may mean removing several coats of paint from the hinges. Score around the hinges before chipping so the paint doesn't come off beyond the area intended.

Chipping old paint in an old house calls for protection. Keep small children and pets away, because the paint underneath could be lead-based.

If a hinge screw won't tighten, try a longer screw. If that doesn't work or isn't an option, cover a toothpick in wood glue, put it in the hole and clip off the end. After a few hours, try a new screw. The glue and toothpick expand a little and give the screw enough traction.

Sand the problem area

If the hinges are tight and the door still sticks, moisture or a settled frame may be the cause. The recommended fix is to sand the problem area, using a sanding block, sandpaper, a power sander, or a hand or power planer. Take off only enough for the door to close.

He advises against removing the door. Sand a little, try closing the door, then sand a little more, until there is enough clearance. Taking the door on and off repeatedly only creates more work, so he leaves it on and cleans up afterward. The last step is touch-up paint.