The most common cause of a door that sticks in the frame, or one that scrapes on the floor, is moisture. When a wood door is not sealed or varnished around the edges, particularly the bottom edge, moisture is absorbed into the wood and causes the timber to swell.
GOOD TO KNOW
A quick fix for swollen doors… Use a hairdryer or heat gun to dry out moisture-ridden timber by evaporating interior moisture. Hold the hairdryer or heat gun at a distance of about 30cm away from the surface to prevent burning the wood.
On a painted door, place a circulating fan close to the door to help dry out the moisture. Should paint start to peel or flake, remove the door in order to strip off the paint and re-apply primer and paint.
Sealing a wood door
When you buy a new wood door, or have a wood door installed, apply an exterior sealer before fitting the door to its frame. Although wood doors are generally treated with a protective coat after manufacture, this is insufficient to protect it from the elements once installed.
Apply exterior sealer to the front and back of the door and, more importantly, to the edges and base of the door. It is standard to apply three coats of sealer, with a light sanding with fine steel wool between coats. Read the manufacturer’s recommended application instructions for the product you are using.
This procedure needs to be done on a regular basis – at least every 12 to 18 months – to provide maximum protection from the elements.
Painting a wood door
If you prefer to paint an exterior door to add a splash of colour to your home exterior, use a wood primer before painting and only use a paint recommended for use on exterior wood. As with a sealed wood door it is also necessary to periodically check the finish for cracks where moisture can gain access.
Not only doors; follow the above procedure to treat wood windows, sliding and French doors to ensure that any wood fittings are weatherproofed.
Article courtesy of EasyDIY
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