“Do sticking doors mean foundation problems?” Well, it depends.

Sticking doors and windows can be more than a mere inconvenience—the can indicate serious foundation problems.

Greasing the jamb with WD40 will only solve the immediate problem. To save your foundation from complete failure, it’s important to act quickly and call in the professionals.

Not all sticking doors mean foundation problems. But it’s not worth guessing wrong and risking foundation failure. At Helitech Waterproofing & Foundation Repair, we offer a free consultation and a free estimate. That way, we can get a more accurate picture of your home’s situation.

If all your door or window requires is a cosmetic fix, we’ll tell you. If your home requires a more comprehensive solution, such as helical piling, we’ll work with you to come up with a plan and a financing solution. At the end of the day, we just want to make sure your home is a safe place for you and your family to live.

Here are some common sticking door causes and their solutions:

1. Expansion due to humdity
   If, after a rainstorm, you notice that your door is sticking, it is most likely nothing to worry about it. Doors, especially wood doors, expand during high-humidity weather because they soak up the moisture in the air.So if it’s just rained, put some WD40 on your door jamb and wait a couple days before you worry. You should only be concerned about underlying foundation damage if the problem persists long after the humidity has died down.
2. Your door or window is out of alignment
   Windows and doors place a lot of force on your hinges. Over time, hinges and screws can wear out, causing your door togo out of alignment. If this is the case, then simply replacing the door hardware can make your problem disappear.However, if you notice other signs of foundation problems—sagging floors, basement leaks and wall cracks—then it might be worth calling in a structural engineer to evaluate the root of the problem.
3. Your foundation is settling
   Foundations, especially those atop expansive soils, are vulnerable to sinking and settling. Most of the time, this manifests itself in harmless ways such as small cracks on the inside of the foundation. Other times, settling can cause significant structural damage—sticking doors are one telltale sign that your foundation problems have escalated to this level.That is why it is important to have a foundation repair expert evaluate the damage. The specialists at Helitech will be able to diagnose the source of the problem and devise a customized plan for your home.