Repairs · How-to / informational
How to Fix a Sticking Door (and When to Call a Pro)
A sticking or dragging door is one of the most common household annoyances. Here's what causes it, how to fix the simple cases yourself, and when it's worth a handyman.
- 3 min read
- Repairs
Why doors start to stick
A door that suddenly drags or won't latch is almost always reacting to one of a few things. In Melbourne's changeable climate, timber movement is the most common — doors swell in humid weather and shrink when it dries out. Other causes include loose hinges that let the door drop, a settling frame, layers of built-up paint, or worn floor coverings.
The good news: most sticking doors are a quick fix once you know where the problem is.
Step 1: Find where it's catching
Close the door slowly and watch the gap around it. Slide a piece of paper around the edges — where it won't fit is where the door is binding. Common spots are the top corner (dropped hinge), the latch edge (frame or swelling), or the bottom (dragging on the floor).
Step 2: Check the hinges
Loose hinge screws are behind a surprising number of sticking doors. Open the door, take the weight off, and tighten every screw. If a screw just spins, the hole is stripped — a longer screw or a timber matchstick and glue in the hole gives it something to bite into again.
If the door is catching on the latch side, packing a thin piece of cardboard behind one hinge can pull the door back into alignment. This is a classic trick that fixes many doors in minutes.
Step 3: Deal with swelling
If the timber has swollen, the fix depends on the season. Sometimes a door that sticks in a wet week will free up on its own. If it's persistent, lightly sanding the binding edge and sealing it with paint or a timber sealer stops moisture getting back in.
When to call a handyman
Some jobs are worth handing over:
- The door needs planing — remove too much and you're left with gaps.
- The frame has shifted or the house has settled.
- The hinges are worn and need replacing.
- You've got several doors doing the same thing.
These are quick, satisfying jobs for a professional and they come out perfectly square. If you'd rather skip the trial and error, it's an easy thing to bundle with other small repairs in a single visit.
FAQs
Why has my door suddenly started sticking?
Seasonal humidity is the usual culprit — timber swells in damp weather and shrinks when it's dry. Loose hinges, a settling frame, or a build-up of paint can also cause it.
Should I plane the door or adjust the hinges first?
Always try the hinges first. Tightening or packing hinges fixes many sticking doors without removing any timber. Planing is a last resort because you can't put material back.