Doors That Stick in the Rainy Season: Causes and Fixes
From late spring through fall, the air in South Florida is heavy with moisture. Wood and composite doors absorb some of it and swell. A door with a tight fit starts to rub, then stick, then refuse to latch.
Find where it rubs
Close the door slowly and watch the gap around it. It should be even on all sides. Look for shiny or scuffed paint on the edge of the door or the frame. A sheet of paper slid around the closed door will catch at the tight spot.
Start with the hinges
More sticking doors are caused by hinges than by swelling. If the door rubs at the top corner on the latch side, the top hinge is probably loose and the door has sagged.
- Tighten every hinge screw, on the door and on the frame.
- If a screw spins without tightening, the hole is stripped. A longer screw that reaches the framing behind the jamb usually pulls the door back into line.
Check the latch
If the door closes but does not click shut, the latch and the strike plate no longer line up. Often the strike plate needs to move slightly, or its opening needs to be filed a little.
If the door really is swollen
- Mark the tight area while the door is at its worst, in humid weather.
- Remove a small amount of material from that edge by planing or sanding. Take off less than you think; you cannot put it back.
- Seal the bare wood right away with primer and paint. An unsealed edge absorbs moisture faster and the problem returns.
The top and bottom edges of many doors were never painted. Sealing them is one of the most effective things you can do for a door that swells every summer.
Lower the humidity inside
Doors swell less in a home that stays conditioned. Running the AC consistently, using bathroom fans and keeping exterior doors closed all help.
Signs it is something else
- Several doors going out of square at once, with new cracks above them, can indicate movement in the structure. Ask a licensed contractor.
- A door bottom that is soft, flaking or stained has been wet. Find the source of the water before replacing anything.
- Impact-rated exterior doors need a permit and a licensed installer if they are being replaced.
Adjusting, trimming and rehanging interior doors is part of our baseboards, trim and doors service.
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