How To Lock And Fix A Swollen Door

Even though moisture exposure is the most likely culprit if you have a swollen door there can actually be a few reasons why a door will warp swell and change shape.

How to lock and fix a swollen door.

This should reduce the friction and allow the door to close more smoothly. He whittles a inch wide slightly tapered splinter out of a scrap of wood then squeezes wood glue onto it and into the screw hole. First determine the sticking point s location by opening and closing the door several times. A warped or swollen door or frame can be sanded down using coarse grit sandpaper.

While the door is drying get some extreme temperature weather stripping and apply it to the door frame. If it is loose or has slipped out of the mortise place it back in the mortise and tighten the screws with a phillips screwdriver. To find a warped place in the center of a door place a tape measure against the door and let it hang to reach the floor. Then paint with an exterior paint and apply 2 heavy coats.

Fixing a swollen or warped door or jamb once the door is open you should be able to more easily spot the problem. Of course this is a gentle and temporary solution and will need to be repeated sporadically during times of humidity. The effect of shimming is to tilt the door slightly so it fits more squarely in its opening. To repair a stripped screw hole under the hinge leaf tom plugs the hole and gives the screw something new to bite into.

If the door doesn t open or close properly you can assume the door has swollen against the floor part of the frame or the ceiling. Rub the problem area with bar soap. Shut the door and try to lock it. According to hunker a door can swell if there is a heat source close to the door so keeping heat sources at least 36 inches away from the door is best.

Use an exterior primer first and prime the front back top sides and bottom. He taps in the plug with his hammer and glue oozes out of the hole. Use a dry moisturizer free soap that leaves a powdery residue on the sides of the door. Follow this with a finer grit to get the door or frame as smooth as possible.

If it won t lock open the door.