Doors that won't shut or latch properly are annoying, but
once you diagnose the problem the fix is usually easy. Even if your door has
been binding for years, we'll show you how to identify the problem and repair
it quickly and inexpensively.
Problem: Door binds along outside top edge
Problem: Door binds along outside top edge
When a door binds, it almost always sticks along the latch
side near the top. You can usually see the wear there. Check for loose screws
in the top hinge plate. Tightening the screws may work for the short term, but
they often come loose again because the original hole is stripped. Rather than
trying to repair the hole in the wood, replace one of the loose screws with a
longer one. The intent is to drive the new screw beyond the existing jamb and into the trimmer stud behind. In order to hit the stud, choose the screw hole closest to the stop (photo 1), otherwise, the new screw will likely miss the stud altogether. Make sure the new screw is long enough to get through the jamb, the shim space and into the stud. A No. 8, 3-in. will usually do just fine.
