If you live in Tampa Bay, you’ve probably fought with a door that sticks in summer and works fine in winter. Between humidity, heat, rain and the way Florida homes settle, doors take a beating. The good news is that most door problems have simple causes and simple fixes. Here’s what usually goes wrong and how to tell whether you need a repair or a replacement.

Why Doors Stick in Florida Homes

• Humidity swelling: wood doors absorb moisture, especially along unsealed edges, and grow just enough to rub the frame
• Loose hinges: hinge screws that only reach the jamb work loose over time and let the door sag
• Settling: small shifts in the house can knock a frame slightly out of square
• Paint buildup: layers of paint on the door edge and jamb add up to a tight fit

Common Fixes for a Sticking Door

Start with the hinges. If the top hinge is loose, replacing one or two screws with longer screws that reach the wall framing often pulls the door back into position and solves the problem completely. If the door still rubs, the strike plate or the door edge may need adjustment.

When a door has truly swollen, the rubbing edge can be planed down. The important step many people skip is sealing that freshly cut edge with primer and paint afterward. Bare wood will absorb moisture again, and the problem comes right back.

Fixing Drafty Exterior Doors

Gaps around exterior doors let in hot air, humidity, bugs and rain. In Florida that means higher cooling bills and, over time, water damage to the threshold and subfloor. Typical fixes include:

• Replacing worn or flattened weatherstripping
• Adding or replacing the door sweep at the bottom
• Adjusting or replacing the threshold
• Re-caulking the exterior trim around the frame

Watch for Rot at the Bottom of Exterior Doors

The bottom of the door jamb and the brick molding near the threshold are some of the most common spots for wood rot in Tampa Bay homes. If the wood feels soft when you press it, or paint is bubbling, it’s time to repair it before the damage spreads into the framing. Learn more in our post on preventing wood rot in Florida homes.

When to Replace Instead of Repair

• The door is warped, cracked or delaminating
• The frame has rot that goes beyond the surface
• You want better security, energy efficiency or storm protection
• A hollow-core interior door is damaged beyond a simple patch

For exterior doors in Florida, replacement doors should meet the wind rating requirements for your area, and some replacements require a permit. A good contractor will tell you upfront what applies to your home.

Need a Door Fixed or Replaced?

Kroon Craft Home Improvement repairs and replaces interior and exterior doors throughout St. Petersburg and South Tampa, including sticking doors, hinge and latch problems, weatherstripping, rotted jambs and trim. Estimates are always free.

Call (954) 554-1117 or request your free estimate today. You can also see our full list of handyman services.