In Alexandria, VA, summer humidity is real. Wood absorbs moisture and expands — which is why doors that operated fine in January suddenly stick in July. This is extremely common in older homes.
The Quick Check
- →Where is the door sticking? Top corner rubbing = hinge side dropped or latch side swollen
- →Is it rubbing across the whole top edge? The door itself is warped or the frame has shifted
- →Does it stick only in humid months? Probably seasonal expansion — may not need permanent repair
DIY Fix vs. Handyman
If the sticking is minor and only happens in summer, running a sanding block along the sticking edge is often enough. If the door has dropped (you can tell because the hinge screws are loose or the hinge plates have pulled away from the frame), the fix is tightening or replacing the hinge screws with longer ones that reach the stud.
When to Call
Call a handyman when: the door doesn't latch at all, the frame appears to have shifted (visible gap change), or the door is an exterior door that's now creating a weather seal problem. These go beyond sanding and need a proper diagnosis.
Sticky door? I'll figure out why and fix it correctly.