The Slight Sag
You notice it first at the top. A gap. The door leans into the frame where the hinges aren’t. It scrapes. Maybe sticks. Locking it becomes a negotiation with wood and metal. Annoying, yes? Fixable? Yes. You need thirty minutes. Maybe forty-five. Some basic tools. And ten bucks tops. Or zero if you have what’s under the sink.
Why It Happens
Old doors get lazy. New doors get confused. Usually, it’s the top hinge failing you. The screws wear down. They loosen. They pull straight out. The bottom hinge? It doesn’t care. It’s solid. But the top? It gives way under the weight.
In newer builds, builders often skip the middle hinge. Two hinges for a heavy door is a bold choice. The top hinge takes all the load. It sags. Simple physics.
Or consider paint. In older houses, paint layers build up over decades. It seeps under the hinges. Thick. Stubborn. These layers act like hidden wedges. Spacers, really. They push the door out of true alignment. The door isn’t just heavy; it’s blocked.
Check your hinges. Is it loose? Or is it painted shut?
Don’t overcomplicate it. Look at the screws. Look at the paint. Fix one. Or both. The door will straighten up. Or it won’t, and you’ll buy a longer screw. Either way, you’re back to opening the door normally. Eventually.
