Unconventional Wisdom: Fix a Sticking Door By Scraping the Jamb (Not the Door) In most cases, a few passes with a sharp paint scraper is all it takes to solve the problem. By Roy Berendsohn ...

If the door doesn’t close, mortise the lock. If your door doesn’t close because the lock is in the way, you will need to mortise or recess your lock into the door jamb so it sits flush.

If the door binds on the strike jamb, look at the hinges. Open the door and pull up and down on the doorknob. Look for movement in the hinges, particularly at the top hinge.