Loose hinges can cause the door to sag and rub on the upper part of the frame. If you spot scratched paint or a worn indent on this part of the frame, the issue is likely a sagging frame or loose hinges. Use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws on the frame and the door.
Tighten the screws in the hinges if they feel loose.
If the top corner on the latch side of the door scrapes against the frame, then tighten the top hinge. For a door that rubs against the bottom of the frame on the latch side, then screw in the bottom hinge more.
Sticking doors and windows can sometimes indicate foundation problems, but it is not always the case. Various factors can cause doors and windows to stick, such as changes in temperature and humidity, structure aging, or issues with the frames or hinges.
A door may stick at the top of the frame for five main reasons, including loose hinges, door construction relaxing, expansion of wood due to humidity, a settling house foundation that's causing the frame to fall out of square, and thick paint.
Tighten the Hinges and Strike Plate
Loose hinges can cause the door to sag and rub on the upper part of the frame. If you spot scratched paint or a worn indent on this part of the frame, the issue is likely a sagging frame or loose hinges. Use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws on the frame and the door.
Look for cracks in walls or floors, uneven/sloping floors, sticking doors/windows, and gaps around them. Also, be mindful of cracks in exterior brick or concrete, and a sagging/uneven roofline. Identifying these signs early can prevent further damage to your house foundation.
If you live in an area that is humid year-round, the door will swell. Even in 'dry' areas, if you tend to use the shower with the doors and windows shut, your bathroom could end up with a sticking door from the extra humidity in that room.
The most likely cause is that the latch isn't engaging properly with the strike plate – the two crucial parts that need to interact in order for the door to stay closed. You'll generally be able to tell by the absence of any clicks or snaps when you push the door closed.
If your aluminium door is not level, it can cause it to stick and become jammed. This is because the door will not close properly and may exert excess pressure on the frame of the door causing it to get stuck. If this is a problem, consider hiring professionals to re-level your home's exterior.
If you're having trouble with a sticking door, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem. First, try wiping down the door with a dry cloth to remove any dirt or debris that may be causing the problem. Second, you can try using a lubricant on the hinges and screws to help reduce friction.
If you find the door sticking on the bottom edge, then the most likely culprit is the bottom door jamb. This is easily seen to. Simply remove the jamb and screw it back on as tight as you can. It's that straightforward.
If a door's bottom wall plates are misaligned, you will have a very hard time getting the door flush against the doorstop. To fix this, try moving the parts of the door jambs — either the hinge side or the latch side — into the same plane.
Homeowners insurance generally pays for foundation repairs that result from covered events. However, if the cause of the damage isn't covered in your policy, repairs probably won't be either.
Most homes have a foundation made of concrete that serves as a sturdy, level base for the walls and roof. Without a foundation, your home would sink into the dirt and fall apart. Although concrete is strong, it isn't invincible and will eventually start to degrade. Concrete foundations usually last around 80-100 years.
Vertical cracks are often less concerning and may result from normal settling. Horizontal or diagonal cracks, especially those wider than 1/8 inch, may indicate more serious problems. Multiple cracks or those that form a pattern (like stair-step cracks in brick walls) often signal foundation issues.
If you've noticed that you have sticking doors and windows in your home, it's likely a sign of larger, underlying foundation issues. Sticking doors and windows are some of the most common symptoms of foundation settlement, especially in the Southeast United States where humidity and rain cause many foundation issues.
Why Is My Door Sticking? If you're struggling with a sticking door, you could be facing one of a few common door problems. Improper installation, sagging or broken door hinges, wear and tear, or friction within the strike plate can all cause a door to stick.
The door latch is a common reason for doors to stick to the frame. More often than not, the reason here is that the door latches have been misaligned. This causes the door to not properly connect with the strike plate.
The swelling is caused by humidity and temperature changes, which cause the wood to expand and contract. Over time, the door will adjust to the new conditions and return to its original shape.
If it has recently rained or the humidity is otherwise high, the wood can swell causing “sticking” doors. As the humidity decreases the wood will once again shrink and the problem disappears. If you notice that the door doesn't stick year-round, this is probably what's happening.
If the door seems to rub against the frame at certain points, warping may be the cause. Swelling can also cause the door to feel heavier and less manoeuvrable. This is mainly due to thermal movement in composite and uPVC products.