Improve your Doors and SAVE MONEY
in the Process

Doors that don’t shut properly can be annoying to deal with … but we got you covered.
Once the problem is diagnosed properly, it is usually not too difficult to fix on your own. 

However, if you are in the Calgary area and would like assistance, call ONECONTACT at (403) 452-6606.

Save money on these door repairs by attempting to solve the problem by yourself without need to call an expert. 

Tools You May Need:

• 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Belt sander 
• Block plane 
• Clamps 
• Cordless drill
• Drill bit set
• Dust mask 
• File
• Hammer
• Level
• Safety glasses

Materials You May Need:

• 10d casing nails
• 3 in screws
• Lipstick 
• Paint or varnish
• Shims
• Tape 
• Wood putty

Problem: Door Sticks at Top Edge

When the door is binding along the top edge, you can usually see that there is visible wear developing there. Tightening the screws may work as a short-term solution, but a better idea is to purchase longer screws to secure the door better. 

Problem: Door Binds and Wears Down Along Bottom Edge

It is likely that the lower jamb, part of the doorframe, has shifted or pulled loose from its nails. This results in an out-of-plumb opening. Pry away the bottom section of the casing and renail the jamb. You may need to install shims if necessary for a ⅛ in gap between the closed door and the jamb. Lastly, the casing must be tacked into place with 10d casing nails.

Problem: Door Binds Along Entire Edge Occasionally

When the weather is humid, the door can bind along the entire side. After trying the first two solutions of installing longer screws and resetting the jamb, and the door is still giving you issues, it is likely because it is swollen due to humidity. High seasonal humidity can increase the size of the door up to ¼ inches and this allows the door to brush up against all four sides of the door frame. Sometimes, the door may not even close. 

This is possibly because the door is not well sealed with a good primer/paint or stain/varnish combination. If the door is not sealed well enough, try waiting until the weather becomes less humid for the door to shrink to a good fit, and then seal it properly. 

For immediate results, take the door off from its hinges and sand down the side with the latch, removing enough material for the door to smoothly close shut. However, make sure to only remove as little as possible to ensure a tight fit, and then seal the edges properly with paint or varnish.

Use a clamping-style workbench to hold the door in place. It is good to use an adhered masking tape to the rubbing edge as a guide for the belt sander to follow. A hand or power planer can be substituted for the belt sander, however, the sander allows for a better control of how much waste will be removed. 

After rehanging the door and you are happy with the fit of it, reseal the sanded edge to keep the moisture out. 

Problem: Door Doesn’t Latch 

This is usually a problem if your door’s strike plate and strike or bolt is misaligned. This is caused by the door frame shifting over time. 

The quickest and easiest solution to this is to file down the strike plate. 

Apply lipstick to the protruding bolt and then shut the door to tell where the problem lies specifically on the strike plate. Where the lipstick lands is where you should file it down.