Lock Sticky? Door Not Closing Smoothly?

I love my work. People always say that is one of the greatest things you can have in life, to love what you do. But, as much as I love it, I also love helping people save money and educating. If your lock is suddenly difficult to operate, or if your door is rubbing against your door frame, you may only have a small issue to address. Repairs for these problems are usually relatively easy to do and cost very little, if anything at all. Here are a few simple steps you can take—regardless of your skill level or mechanical experience—to diagnose and possibly fix the issue yourself.

Step 1: Check the Strike Alignment

The "strikes" are the metal plates mounted to the door frame, not the door itself. One of the most common causes of a deadbolt that doesn’t operate smoothly is a misaligned latch strike (typically the lower strike—the rounded one that the spring-loaded latch engages).

Standard residential latch strike

Start by measuring from the edge of the door frame to the near edge of the opening in both strikes. The lower latch strike should usually sit about 1/16 of an inch deeper (further back) into the frame than the deadbolt strike. If it's not, adjust the latch strike position until it is as close to this measurement as possible.

If the latch strike won’t stay in place, the screw holes in the wood may be worn or stripped. In that case, you’ll need to repair them by:

1. Drilling the existing holes to a consistent diameter

2. Inserting glued wooden dowels

3. Letting the glue dry, then pre-drilling and reinstalling the screws

   
   

   Step 2: Inspect the Hinges for Sagging

   
   

   Another common issue—especially on exterior residential doors or frequently used commercial doors—is sagging due to hinge wear. This causes the latch or deadbolt to hit the lower edge of the strike opening, leading to binding.

   
   

Avoid the temptation to grind or file the strike plate; while it may offer short-term relief, it doesn’t address the underlying issue.

Instead, try this temporary fix:

1. Prop the door in place with a wedge or door stop. Make sure it's open far enough that you have room to work.

2. Remove the top and bottom hinges, leaving the center hinge in place.

3. Swap their positions—put the top hinge on the bottom and the bottom hinge on top.

   
   

This hinge swap works because the top hinge (which has typically been stretched) and the bottom hinge (usually compressed) now oppose each other’s wear, helping to correct or overcorrect the door sag.

This method can also help if your door is rubbing against the top corner of the frame. While this is a temporary solution, it can be surprisingly effective—sometimes lasting a year or more. Ultimately, replacing the hinges is the long-term fix.

If you don't feel comfortable attempting these repairs on your own, we are just a phone call away!