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Got a door in your home that’s hard to open? Stuck doors are very common and can be a nuisance. There are many things that can cause a door to become stuck from heat expansion to a faulty lock. Below are a few tips on how to fix stuck doors
How To Fix Stuck Doors
Check the hinges
Hinges may start to come away from the frame or door over time as a result of improper installation or general wear and tear (or kids hanging from the handles). This can result in the door becoming misaligned within the frame, which could be causing it to get stuck.
Fixing this problem may be a simple case of rescrewing in the hinges. If hinges or screws have become rusted or misshapen, consider buying new ones.
Realign the latch
It’s also possible that the latch may have become misaligned. It may not be going back in far enough when the handle is down, causing it to catch on the strike plate.
To fix this problem, you’ll need to take off the handle and realign the latch. In some cases, it may be a case of getting a new latch if the mechanism is looking worn. Another option could be to move the strike plate.
Plane down the door
The wood within a door or frame can expand over time as a result of heat and humidity. This can also cause a door to stick due to friction between the door and the frame.
To fix this, you need to either plane down the door or the frame. It’s typically easiest to do this with the door. You can do this using a block plane. Make sure not to plane too much away so that you don’t have the opposite problem of a door that won’t close – it’s worth taking a layer off, testing the door again and then taking off more if need be.
Know when to call professionals
There may be instances where you need to call in professionals. For example, if a bifold door has started to stick and the frame seems to be misaligned, you’re usually better off hiring a professional that specialises in bifold door repair rather than trying to fix it yourself. Meanwhile, if a door is not opening because the lock is broken, you’ll likely need to call out a locksmith.
How to prevent sticking doors in the future
Doors can stick for all kinds of reasons. Usually, there is a bigger problem behind the sticking. It’s possible that frames and doors may be expanding due to excess moisture within the air of your home. A dehumidifier may be able to prevent his problem. Another big problem to look out for is foundation issues. This can lead to issues such as stuck doors, doors that won’t shut, cracks in walls and sloping floors. Foundation issues are serious – it means that the structural integrity of your home is at risk – so you may have to consider investing in foundation repairs.
