Tools & materials
- Screwdriver or drill
- 3-inch wood screws
- Pencil
- Sandpaper or a block plane
- Primer or paint for the edge
Step by step
- Step 1
Close the door slowly and look for the rub mark or the spot where the gap is tightest. Mark it with a pencil.
- Step 2
Open the door and tighten every hinge screw on both the door and the frame.
- Step 3
If the door rubs at the top latch side, replace one screw in the top hinge (frame side) with a 3-inch screw so it bites into the stud and pulls the door up.
- Step 4
If it still rubs, sand or plane the marked area a little at a time, testing as you go.
- Step 5
Seal any bare wood you exposed with primer or paint so it doesn't swell again with humidity.
When to stop and call ProFix
If you see any of these, stop and call us:
- The frame is visibly out of square or cracked
- The door sticks seasonally across the whole edge (may need to be trimmed off the hinges)
- It's an exterior or fire-rated door
- Floors or walls around it have new cracks (possible settling)
Not in the mood to DIY? A ProFix pro can handle it for you in Chicago Metro and Dallas–Fort Worth, with a written price before work starts.
Related guides
These guides are general information for simple repairs. You're responsible for your own safety and for following local codes and your lease or HOA rules. When in doubt, stop and call a licensed professional. All DIY guides