How to fix sticking entrance door?

Question

Hi everyone,

My apartment entrance door is sticking along the top and side edges, making it difficult to open and close smoothly. It’s a standard fire style door.

I’ve noticed a few distinct marks on the frame and the door that show exactly where it’s rubbing.

Has anyone dealt with this problem before? I have a couple of questions:

* Is it possible to sand the door frame (rather than the door itself) to create more space?
* What is the best method or tool to sand and refinish this cleanly?

DIY4Knuckleheds · Answer

G'day h3lloworldd, Eric hit the nail on the head re the fire rating on the door and Dave-1 hit the nail on the head re the Body Corp responsibility to repair the door. If it is up to you and you don't have an electric planer then yes you can……with a bit of elbow grease…..use a heavy grade sandpaper like an 80 grit wrapped around a block of wood and away you go. Once the sanding has been done you will then need to repaint that area to prevent moisture getting in which can make your door expand a little, hence the sticking. Good luck

Dave-1 · Answer

Good Evening @h3lloworldd

@EricL makes a good point in regard's to the door being fire rated. I would notify your body corporate before you attempt any fixes. I think the door itself may require some planning/sanding but as its the door to your apartment then body Corporate kicks in.

The frame around the door appears to be steel, so definitely no sanding of that. The door needs adjusting, possibly sanding. As a side question are both the pins in the hinges still in their respective slots totally? (we can see one that looks ok)

Dave

EricL · Answer

Hello @h3lloworldd

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your door.

Please note that apartment entry doors are almost always certified fire doors. They are built to precise specifications to stop the spread of fire and smoke into common corridors. Sanding, shaving, or trimming any part of a fire door can compromise its fire-resistance rating, alter the required clearance gaps, or accidentally remove or damage mandatory fire safety compliance tags. I therefore suggest speaking to the building manager or the maintenance custodian of the building first before you take any action. You may inform them of the doors fault, and they will take the appropriate action to fix it.

From a repair standpoint, it is better to sand the door down rather than the door frame. The door is movable, adjustable and replaceable, should it come to it, the door is easier to replace than the door frame.

The door in theory can be sanded down using an

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-230w-random-orbital-sander_p6290233

along with a low grit number sandpaper such as 160grit or 180grit and finishing off with a 240grit for a smooth surface finish. If the sticking is not too severe you should be able to trim the door just enough to make it work without catching on the door frame.

Keep in mind that once you have sanded your door down you must provide enough space for the primer and paint that will be going on top of it again. You therefore must sand more of the door not just for clearance, but for the paint as well. Please remember to consult your building manager before you take any action.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric