During rainy seasons, doors are prone to sticking, meaning your doors need to be yanked hard to open. Many homeowners’ first instinct is often to sand or plane the door, but it’s better not to remove wood from it. Lightly sanding or planing the door is OK, but only as a last resort. It’s far better to adjust the door using the hinges first. 

Keep reading for our step-by-step instructions on how to shim your door, readjusting it so it won’t stick regardless of weather conditions. 


Don’t know what it means to shim a door? Watch the video below for a quick explanation:


Why Doors Stick

Doors scraping or binding against frames are common when house foundations settle. Doors may start sticking for several reasons:

  • Wet weather expands soil under the foundation, shifting the house slightly. This change alters the shape of the door openings.
  • Older homes naturally settle, leading to sticking doors over time.
  • Doors installed incorrectly without being perfectly plumb and level can bind later. In this case, you may need to reinstall the door entirely. 
  • Major foundation issues like sinking can also cause sticky doors.
  • Exterior doors can warp over time due to temperature fluctuations.

Signs of a Sticking Door

These are the most common signs of a door starting to stick:

  • It takes effort to open the door fully — you have to tug hard or shoulder it open.
  • The door scrapes audibly against the frame when opening and closing.
  • The latch and deadbolt are hard to engage fully into the strike plate.
  • You see scratches, peeling paint, and damage along the door edge where it rubs against the frame.
  • There’s resistance when turning the knob before the latch releases.

If you notice two or more of these signs, the door is out of alignment and needs hinge adjustments.


How To Fix a Sticking Door with Shims

Take the following steps to realign a sticking door properly:

Inspect where the edge sticks on the door frame. Also, check for bent or distorted hinges on the side of the door. 

Take out the pins from each hinge one at a time. This process allows hinge movement for later adjustments.

If the top corner sticks, shim behind the top hinge. For bottom sticking, shim the bottom hinge. Use cardboard, plastic, or wood shims.

Put the pins back after door shimming. Open and close the door to check if sticking is reduced.

Make minor hinge knuckle adjustments in or out as needed to tweak door alignment.

If shimming and bending the hinges doesn’t work, adjust the strike plate to alter the door’s alignment.

This process realigns the door slightly to remove friction points while preserving functionality without sanding or planing the door itself.


Best Practices for Adjustments

Follow these tips when tweaking a sticking door:

  • Work slowly and check after each minor adjustment. Avoid overdoing any step during the door shimming.
  • Wear eye protection in case hinge side pins slide out suddenly.
  • Mark original hinge positions with tape for easy realignment later if needed.
  • Use plastic or wood shims instead of paper, which compresses over time.
  • Lightly lubricate hinges, hinge screws, and hinge shims.
  • Make seasonal readjustments as conditions change to prevent rebinding.

More extensive repairs like mud-jacking are required for significant foundation issues. I recommend consulting with a carpenter or contractor if you suspect you need a new door or larger repairs to the home.  

Usually, you can get sticking doors working smoothly again with patience and gentle tweaks.


So, Is Shimming the Best Solution for Sticking Doors?

Shimming door hinges is an easy, effective DIY method for homeowners interested in fixing minor seasonal sticking without altering the door or installing a new front door. For more in-depth binding, professional adjustments or foundation repairs may be necessary. 

However, realignment, shimming hinges, and strike plates can get doors moving freely again. These subtle tweaks remove friction points, allowing the door to open smoothly. Compared to significant sanding or planing, shimming is gentler and safer for the door. It is also easily reversible, making it a better home improvement project for many DIYers to address a sticky door. 


FAQs About Sticking Doors

Should I shim the top or bottom hinge when a door sticks?

Shim the hinge where the door sticks and scrapes the frame. So if it sticks at the top corner, shim the top hinge. For bottom sticking, shim the bottom hinge.


How much can shims adjust alignment?

Each shim can tweak the door position up to about 1/8 inch. Use multiple shims if needed, but avoid overdoing it. Check after each addition.


When should I call a pro for a sticking door?

Call a carpenter if DIY hinge adjustments don’t solve a sticky door. A professional contractor can rehang the door or trim the door jambs if necessary.


Can I just sand or plane the door instead of shimming?

It’s best not to remove material from the door itself. Only sand or plane as a last resort, focusing on the hinges first. If more significant adjustments or carpentry are needed, reach out to your local home contractor for further troubleshooting.


Will shimming affect the door's security?

No, it won’t affect the security of your entire door if done correctly. The lock and latch will still engage fully after shimming.


Editorial Contributors
avatar for Amy DeYoung

Amy DeYoung

Contributor

Amy DeYoung has a passion for educating and motivating homeowners to improve their lives through home improvement projects and preventative measures. She is a content writer and editor specializing in pest control, moving, window, and lawn/gardening content for Today’s Homeowner. Amy utilizes her own experience within the pest control and real estate industry to educate readers. She studied business, communications, and writing at Arizona State University.

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Casey Daniel

Casey Daniel is a writer and editor with a passion for empowering readers to improve their homes and their lives. She has written and reviewed content across multiple topics, including home improvement, lawn and garden care, sustainability, and health and wellness. When she’s not reviewing articles, Casey is usually playing board games, repainting her bathroom, or quilting.

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