Doors suddenly sticking

Banana1983782

Hi

Lived in my apartment for four years. Quite old building converted around eight years ago. 

Never had any issues but
in the last 4-6 weeks I have noticed internal doors sticking. I have never noticed this before.

I’m literally having to wrestle 2/6 of them open and closed. 

It’s suddenly affecting 4/6 internal doors. They are quite heavy pine doors.

I haven’t switched heating on (yet) and so I can’t think it is heat/expansion. 

Surely not ‘settling’ of the building given its age and refurb being several years ago. 

Checked frames which look normal and hinges all tight and flush with frame.

Can anyone think what could cause this?

Thanks!

stuart45

I've had the same problem with my doors. It's been really humid and warm, which means a load of moisture in the air for timber to absorb and expand.

ThisIsWeird

Hi Ban.
Could you examine the worst culprit more closely, and see where - exactly - it's binding?
Does the door look as tho' is has expanded evenly, or is it binding in an outer corner?
(Ie, is the door just 'bigger', or has something parallelogrammed?)
But, I suspect cooler, damper weather too, perhaps coupled with windows being more shut. It'll likely improve when the heating is put on.

Banana1983782

They are all sticking on the vertical and latch side, I would say just above handles. Not sticking on top but they all have a bit of a gap at the top. Hopefully the heating will help.

The frames have the grooves for fire seal strips but there is a plastic strip that sits in the place of the fire seal. 

Not the end of the world but strange to have never been an issue for the last few years. 

Cloth_of_Gold

Banana1983782 said:

They are all sticking on the vertical and latch side, I would say just above handles. Not sticking on top but they all have a bit of a gap at the top. Hopefully the heating will help.

The frames have the grooves for fire seal strips but there is a plastic strip that sits in the place of the fire seal. 

Not the end of the world but strange to have never been an issue for the last few years. 

In the last few days our front door has been sticking and we have to give it a good push/pull to ensure it is closed. As others have said, it's probably down to the recent change in the weather.

fatbelly

Same here. Last 4-6 weeks. Heating went on yesterday and it's improving already.

Eldi_Dos

Get a clear unscented candle and rub up and down the area of door edge that is sticking.
When things return to normal a alcohol wipe will remove any residue.

travis-powers

stuart45 said:

I've had the same problem with my doors. It's been really humid and warm, which means a load of moisture in the air for timber to absorb and expand.

I’m finding this happening a lot in the last couple of years definitely a change in the climate!

Postik

As others have said, a change in weather.  I moved house in December last year, then when it started warming up in the summer I suddenly noticed creaking floors and knocking pipes!  Now it's gotten cold again and the creaks and knocks are disappearing!  I think the sticking door will be due to humidity.  You mentioned it hasn't happened before in the last few years but sometimes these things just suddenly seem to occur.