Door is difficult to open or close

Cause

Hinges need adjustment

Repair

  • adjust or re-seat hinges as required

Cause

Hinges need lubrication

Repair

  • lubricate hinges with penetrating oil or graphite powder

Cause

Hinges are corroded 

Repair

  • remove hinges and clean-off corrosion; lubricate and re-install; replace if badly corroded

Cause

The door is binding due to moisture uptake in the door causing the timber to swell 

Repair

  • if the timber has swelled due to moisture uptake, the timber will shrink as the door dries out and will no longer stick, but this depends on the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. When the door no longer sticks, paint all edges of the door, preparing the door as for painting windows (see 'Timber and steel windows – Paint failure')
  • if the door is protected from the weather there is no remedy to stop the sticking except to replace the door with a non-timber door. (Planing the door edges to stop the binding may result in too much clearance around the door as the timber shrinks – there should only be a 1 mm clearance between the door edge and jamb)
  • if the door is not protected from the weather, the construction of a veranda or canopy may reduce the severity of the binding.

Cause

The door has dropped on its hinges

Repair

  • add extra hinges

Cause

There is excessive paint build-up on the door edge

Repair

  • strip paint; sand, prime and repaint with at least 2 coats of semi-gloss or high gloss water-based enamel paint
  • caution: old layers of paint may contain lead. Lead can be a health hazard if fumes, dust or paint fragments are swallowed or breathed in. For more information see Health and safety: lead-based paint

Cause

Warping or twisting due to moisture uptake in the door

Repair

  • if possible, remove the door to allow to fully dry; prime and repaint with at least 2 coats of semi-gloss or high gloss water-based enamel paint
  • replace the door if badly warped

Cause

Hinge pins missing or worn

Repair

  • replace hinge pins

Cause

The door frame is out of alignment due to building settlement 

Repair

  • replace the door if badly warped
  • consider addressing any building settlement problem

Cause

The timber door has bowed due to moisture uptake

Repair

  • replace the door if badly warped
  • if the timber has swelled due to moisture uptake, the timber will shrink as the door dries out and will no longer stick, but this depends on the amount of moisture in the atmosphere. When the door no longer sticks, paint all edges of the door, preparing the door as for painting windows (see 'Timber and steel windows – Paint failure')
  • if the door is protected from the weather there is no remedy to stop the sticking except to replace the door with a non-timber door. (Planing the door edges to stop the binding may result in too much clearance around the door as the timber shrinks – there should only be a 1 mm clearance between the door edge and jamb)
  • if the door is not protected from the weather, the construction of a veranda or canopy may reduce the severity of the binding.

Cause

The door is out of square

Repair

  • replace the door if badly warped
  • consider addressing any building settlement problem

Cause

The door latch is worn or bent 

Repair

  • check and repair/replace the door latch