Renovation Videos

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Fix a sticking door

A door that sticks usually has one of three causes: loose hinge screws, swollen wood or a house that has shifted. Find the rub point first. Rub chalk along the door edge, close it and see where the chalk transfers. The videos here show tightening hinges, using longer screws in the jamb and sanding only where the chalk marks, so you never take off more than you need.

This is a beginner job with a screwdriver or cordless drill and sandpaper. If the door also won’t close or latch, that points to the strike plate or the hinges. A door that binds in many places can mean a settling foundation, which is worth a look from a pro.

Videos

  1. Five Ways to Fix a Sagging Door That Rubs the Jamb

    Step by step how toFix This House · 8:25
  2. Fix a Sagging Door: Toothpicks, Longer Screws and Bent Hinges

    Step by step how toThe Funny Carpenter · 6:48