Home > Common Problems > Door and Window Problems

Why Are My Doors & Windows Sticking?

Foundation Problems Could Be To Blame

Have you begun to notice that your doors and windows are sticking? If so, it it crucial to figure out why. Sometimes the cause is something as simple as the weather. Other times, it signals significant foundation problems. Knowing what the cause is can not only help solve the problems you are having with your doors and windows but could also help solve problems with your home before they get worse.

Reasons why Doors & Windows Might Stick

Weather

Changes in both temperature and humidity can cause the materials that make up the door and the frame to expand and contract. This can alternatively either make them loose or so tight that they are difficult to open and close.

There isn’t much you can do about the weather, but all things considered, this is the best of the options because it means that your windows and doors will work fine again once the weather changes.

Damaged Frames

Over time, door and window frames can begin to warp with age. As the frame warps, the door or window won’t fit as well as intended.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you just got a new door or window, there might be a problem with the installation or with the door or window itself.

In some cases an accumulation of paint from years of painting the frames can cause minor headaches.

Foundation Problems

This is the most complicated one to fix and to understand why the problem occurs. When your foundation begins to settle or sink into the soil, especially if it settles unevenly, it affects the alignment of everything in the house. The pressure from that misalignment is what causes such symptoms of foundation problems as wall cracks.

Perhaps nowhere is affected more, however, than in the openings in your homes walls. Cracks often start at windows or doorways, and the misalignment makes the door or window no longer fit properly

How to Tell if Foundation Problems Are to Blame

If your doors and windows are sticking, you can take several steps to determine if foundation problems are the likely cause.

1. Rule Out Other Possibilities: Did they start sticking around the time the weather shifted? Can you notice obvious damage to the window or doorframe? Is the window or door new? The answers to these questions can help point you in the right direction.
2. Does It Appear Misaligned?: If the window or door is misaligned, it is not going to be tight all over or have gaps all over like you might see if the weather is to blame. Instead, some areas might be sticking while others have gaps.
3. Do You See Other Signs of Foundation Failure?: Have you noticed cracks in walls or slab floors? Are your floors starting to become uneven? Is your chimney tilting? If so, there is a good chance that the problems with your doors or windows are caused by foundation problems.
4. Contact an Expert: If you suspect foundation problems to be the cause or are unsure, it is best to contact a foundation repair expert to check on your home. The worse a home’s foundation problems get, the more expensive the resulting repairs will likely be.

Solutions for Sticking Windows and Doors in Your South Dakota Home

The essential solution for a settling or sinking foundation is to install foundation piers. These piers are installed beneath the failing components of the foundation to ensure support and stability. First, the piers are driven into the ground until they become settled in the stable soil beneath the frequently shifting top layers and the weight of the structure is transferred onto them. Then the piers are relied upon to lift the foundation to its original level and maintain that it is fully supported.

Need a Foundation Repair Expert in South Dakota or Wyoming? Give Rapid Foundation Repair a Call

If you suspect that your home’s sticking doors and windows are caused by foundation problems and live within our service area in South Dakota, eastern Wyoming and northern Nebraska, contact Rapid Foundation Repair right away so we can work together to determine the best solution for you and your home!