How to Repair a Sticky Door

Every house has at least one door that sticks. Some doors take more work than others to repair, but you can easily repair most sticky doors. All it takes is some basic knowledge and a little bit of time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Utility knife
• Wooden shim
• Sandpaper
• Varnish
• Stain

1. Examine the door to see where it's sticky. It's likely to be one of two places: the hinge or the striker plate.

2. Check the striker plate first because it's easier to repair. Open and close the door. Examine the latch action. Tighten any loose screws in the striker plate and on the latch. There may be misalignment of the striker plate or latch.

3. Remove the striker plate if tightening the screws doesn't solve the problem. Use a utility knife to carve a deeper opening in the doorjamb for the striker plate. Re-attach the striker plate and see if the door's still sticky.

4. Determine that the door is hanging properly. An interior door should have a 1/16-inch gap at the top, a ¼-inch gap at the bottom or slightly more if there is carpet and a 1/8-inch gap on the lock side.

5. See if the gaps between the hinges are uneven. Examine both hinges to make sure they are tight in the door jamb and on the door. A slight change in pressure from a loose screw can cause a door to be sticky.

6. Take the door off its hinges if the door is still sticky. Also, remove the hinge that is most out of alignment. Place a wooden shim behind the hinge and re-attach it. A wooden paint stir stick works well. Just remember to cut off the excess. If you need less thickness, try a piece of cardboard.

7. Sand the wood off the door gently where it's sticky as a last resort. Redo the stain and varnish on the bare wood when you finish.