The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Care And Repair Of The House

Doors And Windows

1. WHAT TO DO WHEN A DOOR BINDS OR STICKS

The binding or sticking of a door against the doorframe may be caused by loose or ineffective hinges, settlement of the frame, swelling of the door or frame, or warping of the door.

Unless one is somewhat skilled in carpentry, however, it usually pays to get a carpenter to make adjustments on doors in finished parts of the house.

Tools.

Screw driver, wood chisel, hammer, plane, jackknife, chalk, and small paint brush.

Materials.

A few pieces of cardboard or thin wood for "shims"; a small amount of putty to finish off the woodwork; and stain, paint, or varnish of the proper color to touch up bare surfaces after planning.

Loose Hinges.

To determine whether the fault lies with the hinges, first examine the margin or crack between the door and frame when the door is closed. Loose hinges, whether top or bottom, usually allow the door to sag, causing the upper outside corner to strike against the side of the jamb and the lower outside corner to drag on the threshold, making an uneven margin around the door. As a further test, try to shake the hinges by taking hold of the knob at each side, when door is open, and pulling and pushing the door away from and toward the hinges.

If the hinges move, try tightening the screws. It may be necessary to insert wooden plugs in the screw holes or to substitute longer screws, to make them hold properly.

If hinges are not loose, or if upon tightening the screws the margins or cracks are not made uniform, it might be well to try the effect of cardboard " shims " under the hinge leaves.