Doors bind and scrape for several reasons, but it’s frequently due to loose hinges or slight movement in the building, which throws door openings slightly off square. The result is a door that scrapes, is noisy to open and can even end up damaging your floor.

The natural response to this problem may be to reach for a plane or even hang a new door. But before you do that, give this neat trick - which requires little more than a screwdriver and a utility knife - first. 

Step 1 - Assess the cause of the scraping

Have a look around the door. The house may have moved slightly and the door is no longer square to frame or floor. This is seen as a gap that is wider at bottom than at top or vice versa. First, check all screws holding hinges are secure. If not, tighten.

If you can’t get a screw to bite, remove the screw and fill the hole with glue and a matchstick, then drive the in screw again. If the door still scrapes the floor, run utility knife around bottom hinge to cut paint film.

Now it's time to start undoing screws. If they have been painted over many times, place the screwdriver in the screw slot and tap with  a hammer. This will loosen the screws and ensure that screwdriver blade can get proper purchase.

Step 3 - Place cardboard shim behind the hinge

Pull the hinge away from the door frame and place 1mm shim of cardboard or timber to fit behind hinge. Screw the hinge back and check door operation. It should have lifted the closing bottom edge slightly. If the door still scrapes the floor, try a second shim. This should  fix it. If the door is still scraping badly, you may actually need to take the door off and plane the bottom edge, but it’s always worth giving this simple fix a go first.

How to realign a door

How to fit door stops

Plus, your chance to win

Plus, your chance to win

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%