Wooden Front Door Swollen Or Sticking With The Weather

What's happening?

Wickes says a door that sticks in the frame or rubs on the floor is usually down to loose hinges or swelling from damp conditions, and that the hinges should always be checked first, as it may not be necessary to alter the door. It also says that if a door is only slightly sticking and the weather is unusually wet or humid, it may be worth waiting to see if it eases once conditions improve. Homebuilding's joiner source says seasonal movement, where timber expands and contracts with humidity, can gradually throw a door out of alignment. A timber front door is exposed to rain on one side and a heated hallway on the other, so it is particularly prone to this. A door that is swollen all the time, rather than in damp weather, may be taking in water and needs the cause found.

What usually causes it?

• Loose or worn hinges letting the door drop
• Timber swelling in damp or humid conditions
• Seasonal movement as humidity changes through the year
• Paint or sealant missing from the edges, letting moisture in
• A door that keeps swelling because water is getting in somewhere
• A frame that has moved

Is it dangerous?

No. A front door that will not close and lock is a security problem, so do not leave it unlocked, and ask for it to be eased promptly.

Can I fix it myself?

Check and tighten the hinge screws first. If the door sticks only in damp weather and only slightly, Wickes says to consider waiting to see if it eases when conditions improve. Do not plane it in a wet spell and then find it loose when it dries. Do not plane the edges of a fire-rated or glazed security door. If it keeps swelling, look for where water is getting in.

When should you call a carpenter?

Call a joiner or carpenter if tightening the hinges and waiting does not free the door, if it sticks all year, or if the door or frame is soft or damp. They can ease the door, treat and paint the edges and check the frame. Call a window and door fitter for a uPVC or composite door.

What will the carpenter actually do?

• Check the hinges, screws and frame for movement
• Ease the door where it binds, once it is dry
• Seal and paint any bare edges so moisture stays out
• Check the frame, threshold and any water source for dampness
• Rehang or replace the door if it is warped or the frame has moved

Who fixes this

• Door hanging and repair

Questions people ask

Sources & References

1. Wickes: how to fix door problems
2. Homebuilding: how to fix a sagging door