Door is difficult to open or close
Causes
The door is binding due to moisture uptake in the door causing the timber to swell
The door has dropped on its hinges
There is excessive paint build-up on the door edge
Warping or twisting due to moisture uptake in the door
The door frame is out of alignment due to building settlement
Cause
Hinges need adjustment
Cause
Hinges need lubrication
Repair
- lubricate hinges with penetrating oil or graphite powder
Cause
Hinges are 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
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