5 Common Door Problems & How to Fix Them

April 17, 2025,
Title image with the Roof Maxx logo and title "5 Common Door Problems & How to Fix Them" on a green transparency over an image of white double doors.

Summary

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Every home needs functioning doors—so if yours have problems, you’ll need to know how to fix them. The sooner you catch and correct issues with your entryways, the easier it is to avoid long-term damage and more expensive repairs down the line.

Protecting other parts of your home can also be important for preventing door damage. For example, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements—so keeping your shingles in good condition can make it easier to avoid water leaks near openings like doors and windows.

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to diagnose and fix the top 5 door problems most homeowners have. You’ll also learn how Roof Maxx can help rejuvenate your aging asphalt shingles—this won’t prevent leaks directly, but it will help direct moisture down onto the ground instead of into your fascia and walls.

A homeowner replaces a door hinge on an interior door.

Problem #1: Squeaky Hinges

Why It Happens

Dirt and dust build up on hinges over time, drying out the lubricant that keeps them moving smoothly. As friction increases, the metal parts start to squeak in protest every time the door opens or closes—and the incredibly grating noise that ensues gets really old fast.

Solution

  • Apply Lubricant: Use a household lubricant, such as WD-40, directly on the hinge. Or, apply a few drops of mineral or olive oil and work it in by opening and closing the door.

  • Remove and Reinsert Pins: For more persistent squeaks, you may need to remove the hinge pins. Clean them with a cloth and reinsert them with fresh lubrication.

  • Regular Maintenance: Wipe all hinges down periodically with a damp cloth to remove debris and build-up. A little rubbing alcohol can also help—just be sure to re-lubricate afterward.
A front entryway door stuck at the halfway point.

Problem #2: Door Sticking or Jamming

Why It Happens

High humidity and moisture damage can cause doors—and the frames they sit in—to warp or swell over time. The door might stick, drag, refuse to close completely, or stall at the halfway point. This can be intermittent or only occur when the humidity is high or you get a lot of rain.

Solution

  • Check the Hinge. In rare cases, a badly rusted or degraded hinge may simply freeze up and refuse to move. Replacing it is the best option.

  • Sand Down Problem Areas: If you can see where the door is sticking, you can try sanding down the edges at that point to gently shave off any excess wood. This won’t fix the source, though!

  • Check for Warping: If the door or frame is severely warped, you might need to replace it altogether. It’s best to leave this to a pro because you may run into the same problem if it isn’t fitted and installed correctly.
Gaps under a front door that allow drafts to enter the home.

Problem #3: Drafts Around the Door

Why It Happens

In areas with extreme weather or temperatures, weatherstripping can wear out, and gaps may develop along the door frame. This allows cold air to seep in, which can be a major source of high energy bills.

Solution

  • Replace Weatherstripping: Remove old weatherstripping carefully, using a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth to clean any sticky areas. Apply new foam or rubber weatherstripping in its place.

     

  • Use a Door Sweep: Add a door sweep at the bottom to block drafts if you can’t repair the problem right away. You can also make a draft stopper with a long sock or pant leg—no sewing involved!

     

  • Check for Gaps: Open the door and lay a piece of paper over the entry point. Close the door and try to pull it out—if it comes out easily, you probably have a gap or misalignment issue.

     

  • Seal Any Gaps. If the issue is misalignment, you’ll need to fix that first. Otherwise, you can seal any gaps around the frame with caulking or expanding foam.
A very old deadbolt and slide lock system on a front exterior door.

Problem #4: Misaligned or Loose Door Lock

Why It Happens

All buildings shift and move slightly over time, which can change the shape or position of the frame, push it out of alignment, or loosen hardware like locks. Factors like extreme temperatures, minor earthquakes, and certain regional soil types—like sand or clay—raise your risk for problems.

Solution

  • Tighten Screws: Check all screws and housing in the frame and/or lock to ensure they’re tightly fastened in place. They shouldn’t feel loose or wiggly if they’re correctly in place.

  • Realign the Strike Plate: If you’re having problems getting the latch to line up with the strike plate (the housing on the frame itself), you can take it off and reposition it slightly.

  • Consider Upgrading Hardware: If the lock continues to shift or becomes loose again, changing to a lock with an adjustable strike plate may help, but the misalignment will still worsen over time.
A man applies a fresh coat of paint to an exterior door

Problem #5: Peeling or Fading Finish

Why It Happens

Sun exposure, moisture, wind, and rain wear away the paint or varnish on your doors over time, causing them to peel or fade. You can spot-treat very tiny areas by painting or resealing them, but problems like these tend to worsen over time—so you’ll eventually need to refinish the entire door.

Solution

  • Remove the Old Finish: Use sandpaper or a paint stripper to remove any peeling or faded finish from wood doors. See the instructions at the bottom of this post for specifics.¹

     

  • Apply Primer and New Paint or Stain: Use an exterior-grade primer and paint for painted doors, or apply a weather-resistant stain and sealant for natural wood doors.

     

  • Protect with a Clear Topcoat: For additional protection, apply a UV-resistant clear coat to protect the color and surface from sun exposure.

Important Info About Sanding

¹ You can sand wood, metal, composite, and fiberglass doors, but the approach is different for each material type. Follow these best practices: 

  • Wood Doors: Start with 60–80 grit to remove thick or peeling finishes, then move to 120–150 grit for smoothing and prep. Always sand in the direction of the grain.
  • Metal Doors: Use 80–100 grit to remove rust or flaking paint, followed by 120–150 grit to lightly scuff the surface for better paint adhesion.
  • Composite or Fiberglass Doors: Skip aggressive sanding. Use 120–150 grit for light scuffing only. Avoid coarse grits, which can damage the surface. Always clean thoroughly first—grime and chalky residue are often the main culprits.

Protecting Your Doors with Regular Roof Maintenance

Why Roof Maintenance Matters

A low battery is the most common cause of a chirping alarm. Most modern alarms will chirp steadily once every 30 to 60 seconds when the battery is weak.

How to Choose a New Smoke Alarm

Regular roof maintenance helps prevent water damage around entryways by minimizing leaks at the flashing, fascia, and soffits. Moisture intrusion in these areas can seep down into your walls and build up around door and window frames, rotting out the wood and raising your risk for mold.

Roof Maxx treatments extend the life of your asphalt shingles, which play a key role in how effectively your roof sheds water. This lowers the chance for water to infiltrate vulnerable areas of your home, like your walls and any woodwork within them.

A Roof Maxx dealer smiling, ready to help a customer, in front of a branded Roof Maxx van.
A Roof Maxx dealer smiling, ready to help a customer, in front of a branded Roof Maxx van.

Make Roof Maxx a Part of Your Home Maintenance Strategy

Squeaky hinges, sticking doors, drafts, misaligned frames, and peeling or fading finishes aren’t just frustrating—they can also lead to more serious structural damage and lower your energy efficiency if left untreated. Regular maintenance for doors and the structures that surround them can help prevent issues like these from happening or correct them before they worsen.

Keeping your roof in good condition is the best way to lower your risk for leaks, which can seep down into your fascia, walls, and door frames. Roof Maxx helps by reinfusing your asphalt shingles with the oils they lose over time so they can expand and contract in response to the weather without cracking. Find a Roof Maxx dealer in your area now to get a free quote.

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Picture of Georgios Karakitsios
Georgios Karakitsios
"George Karakitsios owns the website and marketing technology behind Roof Maxx. He has spent more than 12 years building web experiences for homeowners and Roof Maxx customers"
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