How To Open A Stuck Door (Easy Solutions)
It’s an absolute nuisance to deal with stuck doors, especially when you are in a hurry to get inside or outside. I recently ran into this problem again with our kitchen door, and by the time I was able to force it open, I was drenched from the rain. This is why I decided to write an article on how to open a stuck door.
I had countless problems over the years with doors getting stuck.
Sometimes, there were simple reasons for why it wouldn’t move but other times, there were slightly more complicated reasons that required some research and tools
Here’s a look at all the reasons why a door gets stuck, as well as solutions on how to open a stuck door.
Table of Contents
What Is Causing Your Door To Get Stuck?
When your door gets stuck, there are probably a few things that could be at the root of it. Here are a few common causes to keep in mind:
1. Poor Installation
There can be a myriad of things that can go wrong when your door is installed.
For example, if the brackets that your door hangs from are not mounted at the correct height or are not installed at an angle that is parallel to the ground, it can cause your door to jam.
Other things to keep in mind include if the hinges are loose or if screws have come loose.
Things such as this are easy for a homeowner to overlook, but it could be the underlying cause of your door getting stuck on a regular basis.
2. Misaligned Strike Plate
If your strike plate is misaligned, it can cause the door to get stuck.
To fix this problem, simply align your strike plate so that the top of the door frame lines up with the bolt.
On some doors, you may also find a spring bolt that you need to adjust accordingly.
3. Humidity
Humidity can be a major factor in causing your door to get stuck.
If you live in a humid environment and your door frequently gets stuck, you may need to install a humidity barrier to keep moisture at bay.
If the door is left open, condensation on the glass may cause it to stick. The same goes if you have an interior glass door.
If it is just open by a few inches, the humidity can build up inside and cause it to jam.
You can ward this off by keeping your door as light as possible by replacing the glass with something lighter, such as plexiglass.
4. Shifting Foundation
If you are having issues with your door jamming, you may want to check the foundation where it hangs.
If your foundation is shifting, it can cause your door to become jammed in its tracks.
You can check your foundation by checking the alignment of the doorframe and the wall. If the door frame is off, it could create issues with the door jamming.
You may also want to check that none of your hinges have become loose over time and that they are indeed mounted properly.
5. Dirt Build Up
If your door gets stuck, it may be because of dirt buildup.
Dirt can get stuck in the track or hinge mechanisms or even jam against them while the door is opening or closing.
Also check and clean under the door to remove any forms of dirt and grime that are sticky. This may be among the simplest solutions for how to open a stuck door.
6. Broken Hinges
If one of the hinges breaks, it can throw off the entire alignment of your door.
If your door begins to stick over time, you may want to check your hinges for damage.
Make sure that it is securely mounted properly and that screws are not coming loose anywhere along the edges.
7. Wear Due to Normal Use
If your door has been in use for a long period of time, you may find that the hinges have become loose and the door is becoming regularly jammed.
If this is the case, you will need to tighten everything again and also ensure that your hinges are not wearing down, which can cause them to wobble or eventually break.
Tips On Opening A Stuck Door
Now that you know what causes your door to get stuck, you may need to perform a few tasks to be able to get the door open again. Here are a few suggestions that will help you open it without damaging it:
1. Pry The Door Open
If your door is hung tightly in its tracks, you may need to jam something into the opening to get enough leverage to pry it open.
For example, you could use a crowbar, though be careful to keep it away from the hinges because this could also cause the door to become jammed.
You could place a cloth over the crowbar to avoid damaging the door as you pry it open.
2. Removing The Hinges
If you are stuck inside and your door doesn’t seem to be opening, you may need to remove the door hinges so that you can realign them properly.
To do this, look for the screws or bolts that are holding them in place. You may need to use a screwdriver or wrench to get the screws loose.
Once they are loose, you should be able to remove your entire hinge assembly by sliding it out of its track.
Be careful, as the door will come slamming down when you remove the last hinge.
3. Using A Credit Card
If your lock has issues and you are stuck outside, you can try the card trick on your door. Consider using an expired credit card or one that is not in use.
Hold the card at a 90-degree angle and insert it between the door and the frame at the latching point.
As you push the door, slide the card all the way along as you wiggle it to try and push the latch away.
This will help relieve some tension in the lock, and you will hear a click when the process is successful.
4. Consider Using A Lockpicking Set
If you find that your latch is not popping open, you may need to pick the lock.
To do this, you will need to remove the faceplate and then begin using the lock-picking tools to remove the pin mechanism.
Doing this can take up to ten minutes for your pins to settle into the correct position and allow you to open your door again.
If you have not done this before, consider getting help from someone who knows how to do it effectively, or try watching a video on it first.
5. Hire A Professionals Locksmith
If you are stuck outside and you cannot get back inside, consider calling a professional locksmith to come over and open your door for you.
While it is not a difficult process, you may need their help because if your lock is jammed, there may be some other issues you have overlooked.
They will be able to check out your lock and hinge mechanisms and tell you if they are appropriate for the job.
Best Ways to Fix a Jammed Door Lock
1. Lubricate The Lock
Lubricating the lock will make it less likely to get jammed in the first place.
After all, oil prevents rust and corrosion from occurring on your door and lock.
So, lubrication is important to ward off lock problems.
You can easily find a spray-type lubricant as well, which makes the entire process easier and faster.
2. Thaw the Lock with a Blow Dryer
If your house has frozen pipes or ice around your lock, you can use a blow dryer to cut away the ice and make it easier to open.
Just make sure that you don’t get too close to your lock and melt it right off!
3. Keep Your Locks in Good Repair with a Locksmith
If you want to guarantee the best possible protection for your home, consider hiring a professional locksmith to come in and perform maintenance on your lock.
They can take a look and advise you on what maintenance or replacements are needed to prevent your doors from getting stuck.
Final Thoughts
Unless you have a motorized door, the techniques in this article on how to open a stuck door should work easily and effectively.
With that being said, if you found this useful, check out some of these articles below:
1. How to stop door from opening fully ( 5 helpful solutions)
