To fix a door that's stuck above the knob, Don Spencer shows an easy way to adjust or tweak the top hinge. It takes only a moment for the door to work perfectly.
Some random person on Reddit just linked this in a thread and I'm happily watching the whole video, even though I don't have an issue with my door. This is great. No malarkey, just straight to the point!
Doors change slowly over time, so it's not surprising this trick is still applicable. Probably still works on pre-hung doors as well. Thanks for your feedback.
Just came here from Reddit. :) Years ago, I saw a video similar to yours with this fix. I've been meaning to do this to the sticky linen closet door for years. Of course, I only remember when I about to get into the shower and grab a new towel. After watching this, I immediately grabbed some tools and now, 5 minutes later, I'm back at my computer and that freakin' door is no longer binding on the jamb. Informative, to the point, and very well done. 15 years later, and you're still helping people! Thank you sir!
Yes, thanks for this trick! All my doors seem to be okay, but that's the thinking process that I missed before. I would have chiseled out the hinge attachment and rescrewed the hinge back. Even though that bending the hinge a little is what was required. And I think it's not the only place where such thinking can be applied! Thanks once again.
Same here! I actually have this issue with the door to my daughter's room. I pleased to see the website it still active! I've got some other issues as well.
+donnydoors I don't have a door issue but i watched this entirely. Outstanding video :) you explain things in a easy to follow method. I shall subscribe!
+donnydoors I've had a sagging door like this for years because I used to hang on it as a child and now my parents don't know when i get snacks in the middle of the night haha :) thanks Donny!
Thanks for the concern. Hanging in there at 3/4 of a century. Should change my profile pic to reflect my aging reality. Hope you're well yourself, Sr. Morales.
I am a 21 years old girl and my mum didn't believe I could do this. I fixed all 3 sticky doors after watching ur tutorial! It's the best tutorial out there and very easy to follow. Thank you! Also, a tip for those with no dike: you can use a screwdriver. Tap the hammer to knock out the long piece (whatever that's called) from the bottom.
I came looking for help to fix a hard to latch bathroom door. Among the endless sea of video choices, I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. Then, as I saw this kind looking man, I felt a bit of relief. And when I saw his channel name, DonnyDoors, it was like the skies had cleared and I felt safe again. Thanks, DonnyDoors for such easy to understand instructions!
Watched this when it first came out, and I just returned to it for a refresher... It's a classic "how to video" thats informative and I'll always enjoy. Nice job!
This technique worked great. I used an additional trick to determine that exact amount I need to bend the hinge. Before bending, slide some cardboard or a wedge from the side or bottom to line up the top and bottom of the door evenly with the frame. Now the hinge holes will be out of alignment. Simply bend the door hinge until they are aligned.
I just did a search for "Why is my door sticking" and when I saw the thumbnail for this video, I thought, "Oh yeah. This is definitely the right guy to learn from." So glad I did! Also just bought your eBook. Thanks for sharing your experience, Don!
I miss these days of RU-vid. Helpful instructional video that cuts right to the chase. No filler. Actually informative and helpful. He teaches you exactly what he says he’s going to. No ad or marketing BS. No stupid graphics. No 5min intro for 45sec of content. No begging for subscribers or likes. AND you helped me figure out and solve the problem I was having-something that a dozen other RU-vidrs failed to accomplish. Thank you, sir!
I'm overwhelmed by your compliment. Scripting is important, though I usually don't follow note for note. Hope some of my other videos measure up to the same standard. Thanks.
This was about 100x better than I expected. I've fixed a number of doors over the years but never considered such a slick adjustment with the crescent to the door side barrels. Nicely done.
Over a decade later, your video helped me clear up a sticky door! Only thing I had to do was add nearly a dozen shims to all four sides as my door was really messed up, to the point it wouldn’t fully close.
Donny, your video has been up for four years and it's still the most helpful thing I've run across! I started today prepared to shave and paint three doors but thought I'd first look around a bit more and stumbled on this from you. It took me ten minutes to fix all three doors and they're perfect! Thank you thank you thank you for this video!
Thank you Donny! I have a few doors either sticking and closes, or sticking but won't shut at all! I'm definitely going to try this method. This video is 14 years and still going strong!!
I found this video on the Digg home page and I thought (for some reason) that it was going to be funny or some kind of weird disaster. But, what i found was a clear, informative instructional video which I followed to fix the sticking closet door in my bedroom. It works perfectly now. Terrific video!
You're very welcome, Scott H. congratulating us is righteous. Finding the video and figuring out how that it will fix your particular problem, well, that's half the job.
Google should just auto play this when someone googles door adjustment or sticking doorm. I had to follow a more complicated video that wasn't as straightforward and elegant at this one was. Straight to the point and shared tricks to do it right.
Thank you for this perfect walk through for the non handy person. My daughter's door has been sticking for about a year and I was agonizing about tackling the project. With your video, I fixed my daughter's door in 1 minute verses what I was going to do...take the door off, sand and repaint. Thank you for saving me a several hours of useless steps and making me look like the hero in front of my family. That was truly the greatest DYI fix yet.
Gee, John, I'm comment-less. What a perfect scenario. Just the fact that you decided to try the trick was courageous. Enjoy the praise to the utmost, you deserve it.
I fixed my door last year and it’s sticking again. I think this brand of door is part of the problem. Thank you for such a clear instruction. Wishing you good health
Thanks for the kind wishes. If the door continues to droop back against the jamb after apply bending the knuckles, then the hinge must be weak and require replacement. As explained in the book, hinge replacement requires exact dimensions: thickness of the material, width and height. Good luck.
From one Don to another thanks so much for this video. As you said, I had always been told to take off and plane a sticking door. I was getting ready to help my son do that at their recently purchased first home, on two fiberglass entry doors with about an 1/8 inch strip of something around them that appeared to be planeable (if that’s a word). I had only ever planed wood doors. It was a worrisome prospect. Yesterday, I searched RU-vid for “planing sticking doors” and your video came up. We followed your directions and it fixed both doors! No removing, no planing! Awesome! I went to your website and bought your book for him! Thanks again, Don Stewart
This vid is 12 years old. Still works. Fixed two doors today following his instruction. Worked great. Thanks! Also really like your teaching style. Glad you're using your gift.
Started watching 7-8 videos before this one, cheesy music and over explaining. Started this one and this one straight to the point and it helped. Door fixed! Thanks!
I consider myself extremely competent at repairs, but I had never seen this technique in my 5 decades on this earth. Thank you Donny for sharing this little tip. I just fixed 3 of my exterior doors in about 15 minutes. Big love from Texas!
Let me see what this old geezer has to say about my inner door jamming. Turns out it was not initially what I was looking for. Instead the led chap gave me a solution to an ever jamming front door. I can’t thank this guy enough, that door pissed me off ever so slightly, every day for the last 12 years!! Fantastic thx don.
Fantastic video Donny! Very well explained. Right to the point. No time wasted. Using your handy method, plus a little sanding on outer edges…I’ve fixed 5 doors thanks to you!!
I may be a one-trick pony, but folks do appreciate my trick. (Actually, there are a few more tricks on video and in the book. ) Nevertheless, thanks a lot for the comment.
It has been 15 years since you posted this, and I hope you are well. Your video just fixed a problem for me and I know it has for a number of people who have seen it. This is a small thanks for a thorough and concise tutorial. With 2.4 million views at the time of posting this, you have likely made quite a few people's lives a little easier, and that's a big deal. Thanks again!
Your instructions were so clear and simple and straight to the point. I’m sitting here in the Home Depot parking lot trying to watch these videos and luckily yours was the second one I came across. Thank you gonna fix my door tonight
i painted an interior door, put new hinges and door knob on door. my door was sticking just like this video. I tried this and it worked perfectly. thank you for this great advice.
Donny...12 years later and your video is still helping to solve problems. I just followed your instructions to fix a door that I have been dreading to address because I didn't want to repaint it after trimming the edge with a hand plane. Well.... popped 3 pins, made slight tweaks to hinges, and voila, no more sticking. It took me 2 years and 5 minutes to do this fix. Two years procrastinating and 5 minutes to actually fix it. :)
That's terrific, Richard. Yes, doors have changed little in the decades of our lives. No hissing automatic panels yet, still only in Lucas films. Granted, pre-hungs made of molded fibreglass have replaced real wood. But the hinges and jambs are still the same as they were in my Grandpa's time. I'm so glad you were able to solve your problem quickly. And don't feel back about wasted time. Whatever it took, the job got done. May you and yours stay well.
Donny... you are a lifesaver! As you can see from our avatar here, we have a Skoolie (school bus conversion to an RV). I am in the process of installing a house door in place of the school bus doors on the front and had a major problem with the door binding. The hinge gap was wide, so we used this trick that you showed us to solve our problem! It worked like a CHARM! Thank you for your great advice!
You are very, very welcome. Somehow, hinges get sprung. One way I know from fixing doors in office buildings is when there's a door stop. I mean a piece of hardware on the floor or wall. The door hits it and the bottom stops moving, but the person passing through keeps pushing on the door, causing the door to arc and the hinge to open up slightly. Only needs a little bit. Maybe you picked up a door that had been thusly treated.
Can't thank you enough for the simplicity and effectiveness of this video. I fixed two sticking doors today using the techniques outlined here. Your explanation is super clear and worked like magic. Pretty satisfying to fix a problem that's been daily in your life.
Hey Donny! I remember seeing this video many years ago! I can't believe it's been 15 years since you uploaded this, and it's been 4 years since your last video, so I hope that you're still doing great! This video helped me fix a couple doors that were dragging as well, so thanks for this!
donny this simple to understand instructional video right here helped me fix a door that had the exact same issue for 20 years (maybe worse than the door featured in this video). just wanted to express my gratitude and tell you that you are a legend in your own right mate. i would encourage you to keep making great instructional videos like this if you want to and can. from your biggest dyi fan from down under! - scott
Just moved into an apartment and the door to the bedroom sticks. This fixed it! I met the guy that lived here for 14 years before me and he never fixed it. That took 20 minutes lol. Thanks so much!
It's been up more than a decade, I believe. Unlike the trick, which is ageless, the videographer has aged noticeable since then, as is proven by viewing my latest vids.
I saw this video years ago. It helped me fix my door. I came back tonight and searched and searched and searched for this very video. Finally found it. You, sir, are a GOD. THANK YOU!!!
Sorry about the search. "donnydoors" "sticking door." No matter; I'm very glad you found it. Share with your friends. Maybe they'll help you remember next time.
Worked like a charm. I was stuck installing a new door, spent hours trying to get it right but could not get it to close no matter what I tried. Found this video, tried this trick, fixed in 15 minutes. Thank you for your advise!!!
*going after comment #2* cheat on your man homie AGGH i tried to sneak through the door,man! can't make it,can't make it,the shit's stuck. Outta my way,son! DOOR'S STUCK,DOOR'S STUCK!
OMG ! Pure Genius . I am a Professional House Painter , I come Across this Problem All the Time on Jobs .Thank You Sir , you just Made my More Money for my Time and Effort ! We Really Do Lean something New Every Day ! ........)
Will someone please enlighten an old man, who doesn't watch horror movies, what is the context of this "Door Stuck!" gag? If you can't post publicaly, be glad to do it for yah.
It's not a movie it's a youtube video where someone is playing a video game and get stuck in a door while someone is knitting him and the guy yells "DOOR STUCK!, DOOR STUCK! '
Genius Absolutely Genius!!! Living in a 70 year old house, this has changed my life! I sent it to everyone I know. It was life altering to say the least! No more pounding jams, chipping paint, or belt sanding the door and jams. Thank you thank you so thank you !
I still can't recall whether I stumbled upon the trick myself, or it was shown to me. But either way, I'm glad it worked for you. Given I'll soon be a year away from 80, a 1950's house is not so old. In fact had your house been 100, the trick may not have worked for you because the hinges were much thicker. I'm so glad you shared. Enjoy your success. (+Be safe.)
Just found this 14 years later, can't believe how easy it was! Very nice video, clear and concise instructions by someone who clearly knows what he's doing. Cheers!
