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S
Scott
Indianapolis, IN · February 12, 2026
Home & DIY

My bedroom door sticks and I have to push hard to close it. It worked fine last summer. Is the door warped or is something else going on?

M
Mike Thompson
Licensed General Contractor · 20 years experience
Verified Expert

A door that sticks seasonally is almost always caused by humidity changes making the wood swell, not warping. Wood expands in humid months and contracts in dry months. This is very common and easy to fix. First identify where it is sticking by looking for rub marks on the door edge or frame. Close the door slowly and note exactly where it makes contact. For minor sticking, you can sand the rubbing area with medium-grit sandpaper (120-grit) until the door closes smoothly, then seal the sanded area with paint or polyurethane to prevent future moisture absorption. For more significant sticking, remove the door by popping out the hinge pins (tap them from below with a nail and hammer), then use a hand plane or belt sander on the sticking edge. Remove only as much as needed, about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. Before sanding or planing, also check if the hinges are loose. Tighten all hinge screws. If the screw holes are stripped, remove the screws, fill the holes with wooden toothpicks and wood glue, let it dry, then redrive the screws. This gives them fresh wood to grip.

👍 43 people found this helpful·Answered February 12, 2026
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