Pro Handyman Blog

If you have a door that sticks, it is probably an adjustment of some type. The first step is to diagnose where the door is actually sticking. You will usually find it sticking at the latch side of the door or at the top jamb where it intersects with the strike jamb.

If the door sticks at the latch itself, maybe the strike plate needs to be mortised into the jamb. This is as easy as removing the plate and chiseling out an indention equal to the thickness of the strike plate. You want to make the strike plate even with the surrounding jamb.

If the door sticks somewhere along the strike jamb (look for rub marks or missing paint), figure out where. In many cases, it is near the top of the jamb since the weight of the door will pull it toward the floor. Grab the door by the handle and move it up and down. You are looking for some play in the door. If the door moves up and down, go to the hinges. Most likely the top hinge has become loose. Try tightening these screws while placing the door in the correct position.

You can also adjust the knuckles on the door. Remove the hinge pin and move each hinge knuckle the same distance toward the handle. Do this on the door side of the hinge and it will give you some distance between the edge of the door and the jamb.

As a last resort, you can always use a hand plane and slightly remove some material from the edge of the door. You will need to touch up the paint when you are done.