Over time, wood expands and changes
shape in response to different moisture levels in the air.
Doors often rub on their trim, causing the familiar
sticking door, which is annoying but easy enough to fix.
How to fix a sticky door:
1. Examine the door
and try to determine where it is sticking. First, try
tightening any loose hinges—top, bottom, or both—depending
on where the door is catching.
2. If the door still
sticks, mark the places where it sticks with light pencil
or chalk lines.
3. Wearing safety
glasses, sand the door gradually at the marked spots,
extending the sanding a little beyond the marked
boundaries. As frequently as is practical, test the door
and only sand until it fits smoothly into the frame.
4. Wipe the door clean
and apply several thin coats of clear wood sealer,
varnish, or paint over the sanded spots, to match the
original finish. This will prevent moisture from entering
and swelling the door again.
TIPS:
-
If the door only sticks in wet
weather, wait for a dry period to sand and seal the edges.
-
Don’t put the new varnish or paint on
too thick or you’ll be sanding the door all over again!
-
If your door rattles, add small
rubber cushions to the door stop to narrow the gap between
the door and the stop. The cushions can be found in most
hardware stores, and will also make a door close more
quietly.
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