Most people don’t really pay too much attention to the doors in their homes until something goes wrong. However, once the doors start sticking, it can become extremely frustrating to use them on a regular basis. There are a number of different reasons why doors stick to their frames; some of these far more severe than others. Here we take a look at some common reasons why your doors are sticking to the frames, and what can be done to fix this issue:
#1 Poor Installation
This is one of the commonest reasons for sticking doors and the most obvious one too. While doors may seem like very simple structures, they require attention to detail and need to be installed correctly. Even minor mistakes during the installation phase can cause the doors to stick further down the line. However, this problem isn’t very difficult to fix. Get the door reinstalled more precisely by a skilled contractor, to ensure it doesn’t stick any longer.
#2 Shift in the Foundation
If you live in a house that hasn’t been inspected during the construction phases, it’s likely the foundation will shift at some point in the future. While this may not be evident from a distance, it’s important to understand that a house is a very large structure. The pressure it puts on the foundation can cause it to shift over time. This, in turn, impacts the alignment of the door and window frames, causing them to become stuck or jammed.
Depending on how severe the shift is, sometimes the windows and doors can become damaged beyond repair. This is a very severe problem and just fixing the misalignment in the windows and door frames is the least of your concerns. In situations such as these, it becomes very important to ensure that the foundation is repaired even before you fix the damage to the doors and windows.
#3 Humidity Contraction or Expansion
When it comes to sticking doors, temperature fluctuations and the weather have a very big a role to play. This is especially true in the case of exterior doors as they are directly exposed to the elements. Heat and humidity in the immediate surroundings can cause timber doors to expand. This particular problem has a simple fix. Remove the door from the frame and sand the edges properly. While this may seem like a simple task, it’s important to handle it carefully in order that there is no large gap around the edges after the sanding.
#4 Dust and Debris Accumulation and Door Obstructions
Sometimes, dirt and debris accumulate on the hinges while at others a slight obstruction along the framework can cause it to stick. It is possible to avoid these problems by ensuring that the door and its frame is cleaned 3 to 4 times a year. If you find the door has already begun to stick, get it removed from the door frame and clean it thoroughly. Do the same for the hinges too.
#5 Hinges That Are Sagging
Sometimes, sagging/improperly installed door hinges can cause the door to stick. This occurs when the hinges’ screws come loose, causing the door to become lopsided. This issue is commonly seen in homes where kids tend to hang off the handles on the doors. It’s easy to solve this problem. All you have to do is check whether the hinges are in a good condition, and screw them firmly into place.
If you want to know more about our services here at Inspect It First, don’t hesitate to call us at 1300 557 047 or contact us through our contact form and we will revert shortly.
Thanks for reading,
Inspect It First Team
1300 557 047