There are several possible reasons why a door might bind. The screws may no longer hold the hinges securely, one or both hinges may be set in a mortise that’s too deep or too shallow, the door itself may have warped, or the jambs may go out of square as the house settles. The problem may even be humidity.
Check the hinges first, since they’re the easiest component to adjust.

Deepen a Hinge Mortise
A door may bind if its hinges are not set deeply enough in the jamb. Remove the door and its hinge leaves. Support the door on edge. Mark the new mortise depth.
Make a cut at each end of the mortise and along the back edge. Hold the chisel vertically with the beveled side facing the mortised area. Position the chisel at a 45° angle, beveled side up; tap lightly to cut to the desired depth. Move the chisel 1/8 inch and repeat. Finally, pare the cut wood away.

Professional tip
Replace slotted screws for your hinges with Phillips screws when you put the hinges back. They’re easier to power-drive and less likely to strip out the next time someone has to repair the door.

Door Support
It’s tough to plane a door without some kind of support to hold it on edge. Here’s a simple way to do it: Hold the door upright on the floor; lay a wide board on the floor and against the end of the door; and tack or screw the board to the door. Once the door is back in place, no one will ever see the fastener holes you made.
Use any scrap board or plywood that’s about 2 feet long and at least 6 inches wide. Add a second block at the other end for greater stability.

Doors that Bind Only Sometimes
If a door binds only during certain seasons, the door is probably absorbing excess moisture. The first thing to check is whether all the edges are sealed. If the edges are sealed, you can make one or more of the following adjustments. A light sanding or scraping of built-up paint may do the trick. If not, you may be able to deepen the hinge mortises enough to make the door fit. Be careful: if you cut the mortises too deep, the hinges will bind.
If the problem persists, remove the door and the hinge leaves. Plane or sand the hinge edge, or the top, wherever the door is binding. Re-seal the edges with paint or varnish after you are done.
The best time to seal the edge of a door is during the dry season when the door is at its smallest. Use two coats of paint or varnish.

Tools and Materials
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Chise

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