Fix Your Sagging or Sticking Doors Easily with These Simple Door Repairs
With the change in seasons and weather, doors tend to become more difficult to open and close. Part of this is due to the wood in doors expanding in humid conditions, causing doors to stick and rub against door jambs. Door hinges also become loose over time, which can lead to a door sagging and sticking. If you notice that your doors are sagging and sticking, try these simple door repairs before calling the door professionals.
Tighten Hinge Screws
If your door is dragging, the screws in the hinges might be loose. Use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws on your door and door jamb. If any of the screws are stripped, replace them. Door jamb hinges require 3-inch screws. For a stripped screw hole in the door, follow these steps:
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- With a solid door, drill a hole with a 1/8-inch bit, and fill with a screw that is an inch longer than the original screw.
- While for a hollow door, use wood splinters or toothpicks to fill the hole with glue, and screw in the original screw.
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Draw in Hinges
For doors that are sticking, drawing in the hinges can reposition the door. First, see if your door is sticking or rubbing at the top or the bottom, and adjust accordingly:
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- If your door sticks at the head jamb or lower side jamb, draw in the bottom hinge.
- If your door sticks at the top of the side jamb, draw in the top hinge.
- If the door sticks against the entire side jamb, draw in each hinge.
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To draw in a hinge, replace the middle screw in the hinge that is attached to the door jamb (closest to the door stop).
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- Drill a 3-inch screw into the middle hinge;
- Slowly tighten the screw and check to see if the door is still sticking;
- Keep tightening the screw until the hinge is drawn in enough and the door no longer sticks;
- Beware of the door trim separating. If you notice this happening as you draw in the hinge, stop before it becomes damaged.
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Draw in Jambs
If drawing in the door hinges doesn’t work, try drawing in the opposite door jamb (on the latching side).
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- Determine where the door is sticking along the door jamb and mark a spot in the middle of that area;
- Drill a hole with a 1/8-inch bit into the marked area of the door jamb;
- If there are multiple areas where the door is rubbing against the jamb, you may need to draw in these parts of the jamb as well;
- Use a countersink bit to open a recess for the screw head;
- Drill a 3-inch screw into the hole to draw in the jamb;
- Slowly tighten screw(s);
- Avoid separating the trim;
- Use wood filler to cover the screw heads;
- Sand, then paint or stain to match the door jamb.
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Try these simple door repairs if your doors start to stick or drag this spring.