Is sanding down the threshold the best solution for a door that is rubbing against it, considering the issue with the screws and lead paint on the door?
Asked by Pihla Marttila 
2 months ago
Last Updated: November 7, 2024
Hey, looks like this door is scraping against the floor when I open and close it. I tried to fix it by tightening the hinges with a longer screw, but it didn’t seem to work. I’m thinking maybe I could sand down the threshold a bit to create some clearance. I don’t want to sand the door itself though, because I heard there might be lead paint on it. Any other ideas on how I can fix this issue? Thanks for your help!
Before you start sanding, try getting longer screws for the hinges at the top so they can better secure the framing.
Mentioned these were 2.25 inches. Do you think they should be even longer?
That’s right. Typically, there’s a minimum 1-inch gap in the framing of the rough opening for the door, but sometimes it’s even more.
Grab the coarse adhesive sandpaper, attach it to the threshold, and move the door back and forth. You won’t be moving fast enough to create any dust in the air.
If the hinges on the door and frame are snug with no wiggle room, lift up on the door using both knobs when it’s almost closed. Check for excessive movement. If there is play, the hinge pins might be worn out. A quick way to test is to switch the top and bottom hinges and/or pins. If the door still sticks, the issue could be the floor, threshold, or the bottom of the door might be damaged or delaminated.
Smooth out the doorway
Used 40-grit sandpaper on an 8-hole high-speed orbital sander with a vacuum attachment. Then finished with a finer grit by hand.
If the 2 1/4” screws aren’t catching, it means they’ve gone all the way through and won’t hold anymore. Remove the screws, fill the gap, and try again. Many people choose to insert toothpicks into the old hole and reuse the screws.
If the hinge pin trick didn’t work, you could try placing a sturdy paper board under the hinge on the bottom of the door, like from a cereal box. Sometimes you need longer screws to ensure the door is properly lifted and secure due to possible shady work done by others.
Have you tried using a level on the threshold? It might not actually be the door that’s the issue.
Simply remove the door from its hinges and trim off 1/4 inch. Do this outdoors. You’ll be okay.
Consider grabbing a hand planer. It’s simple to use and will remove wood from the door’s bottom. Avoid wasting time on sanding.
Try using a 3-4” screw for better stability.
Avoid planing down the threshold, as the real issue lies with the door. Address the problem by either using a longer screw or adjusting the bottom hinge on the jamb by shimming it with a thin object. Start with 1/8” or 1/4”. If you’re comfortable with simple repairs, you can try resetting the door by taking it out and reinstalling it correctly.
The weather changes can cause the door to seem like it’s sagging. If the hinges appear to be in good condition and tightly secured, you may need to consider planing or trimming the door.