The big leak in most houses are around doors. They lack the twofold edge enclosures of double-hung windows, so an open crack is inevitable. Any of various type of weather stripping can fill the crack, but it can't do so effectively unless the door fits properly. If weather stripping is attached to a binding door, it may make the door impossible to open or close. So the first step in weather-proofing a door is to adjust hinges, and sand or place edges until it opens and closes smoothly, leaving a narrow, uniform space between edge and jamb.
Generally, you can see how the door fits by looking at the edges all around. To find invisible binds, slide thin cardboard between the closed door and the jamb, or rub colored chalk on the door edge - it will rub off on the jamb at binds.
Most often a door sticks because loosened hinge screws made it sag. Tighten the screws. If the screws will not hold, replace them with longer ones or stuff the screw holes with toothpicks. If screw-tightening does not solve the problem, try shifting the door by spacing hinge leaves with thin material or plane off the door edge at the binds. If the entire latch side binds, remove the door and plane the hinge side - so you will have to move the lock - then reset the hinges.
Generally, you can see how the door fits by looking at the edges all around. To find invisible binds, slide thin cardboard between the closed door and the jamb, or rub colored chalk on the door edge - it will rub off on the jamb at binds.
Most often a door sticks because loosened hinge screws made it sag. Tighten the screws. If the screws will not hold, replace them with longer ones or stuff the screw holes with toothpicks. If screw-tightening does not solve the problem, try shifting the door by spacing hinge leaves with thin material or plane off the door edge at the binds. If the entire latch side binds, remove the door and plane the hinge side - so you will have to move the lock - then reset the hinges.
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