Carpentry · 10–20 min

How to fix a sticking door

A door that drags or won't latch cleanly is usually a loose hinge, humidity swelling, or paint buildup. All of it is fixable in under an hour if you know where to look.

What you'll learn

How to find exactly where the door is binding
Why loose hinge screws are the most common cause, and how to fix stripped holes
How to plane or sand a door correctly without taking off too much
When a sticking door is a symptom of a foundation or framing issue

Step by step

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Safety note

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