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How to Fix a Sticking, Sagging, or Rubbing Door
Start with the hinges
Nine times out of ten a sticking door is a loose top hinge letting the door droop, not a door that grew. Open it, check for play, and snug the screws. The fix is usually that simple — before you reach for sandpaper, reach for a screwdriver.
The long-screw trick
If hinge screws just spin, the short factory screws have stripped out. Replace one screw per hinge with a 3″ screw that reaches past the jamb into the framing — it pulls the whole door back up into square and fixes the rub without touching the door. It’s the single best door trick there is.
Still rubbing? Plane the tight spot
Close the door and find where it drags (a slip of paper or a pencil mark shows it). Take a little off with a sander or hand plane — small passes, check often — then prime/seal the bare edge so Broward humidity doesn’t swell it again. Don’t over-cut; you can’t put it back.
Latch and strike alignment
If it shuts but won’t catch, the latch and strike plate aren’t lined up. Move the strike slightly or file the opening; sometimes a thin shim behind a hinge re-aims the whole door. If the door is split, rotted, or it’s an exterior door out of square, we’ll sort it.
Frequently asked
Why does my door stick in summer?
Humidity swells wood and a slightly loose hinge lets the door drop — both common in Broward. Tightening hinges and sealing the edges usually fixes it.
What’s the long-screw trick?
Replacing one short hinge screw with a 3-inch screw that reaches the wall framing — it lifts the door back into square and fixes most rubs without planing.
Can you fix a door that won’t latch?
Yes — it’s usually strike-plate alignment or a hinge adjustment, both quick fixes.
Is door repair licensed work?
No — door repair, planing and hardware are handyman work under Florida HB 735.