Door Won’t Close Properly
A sticking, dragging or unlatched door is usually a quick fix once you know the cause: swelling, loose hinges or settling. In a rental, we fix it on the turnover scope.
Common Causes
Seasonal Swelling
DMV humidity swells wood doors and frames in summer so they rub and stick, then shrink in winter.
Loose or Worn Hinges
Loose hinge screws let the door drop, so it drags on the floor or misses the latch.
House Settling
Over time the frame shifts slightly out of square, so the latch no longer lines up with the strike plate.
Warning Signs
- !The door rubs the frame or floor
- !The latch misses the strike plate
- !Gaps that are uneven top to bottom
- !A door that swings open or shut on its own
How We Fix It
- 1Tighten or replace hinge screws and re-seat the hinges.
- 2Plane or sand binding edges and adjust the strike plate alignment.
- 3Seal raw edges so seasonal swelling does not return.
What It Costs
In a rental turnover, door repair is priced as its own line in the written scope, with the rest of the make-ready work. Replacing a damaged door or frame is listed separately so you can see what each item costs.
If You Ignore It
A door that won’t latch is a security and privacy problem, and forcing a sticking door damages the door, frame, and hinges over time.