Door won't latch (or sticks) in certain seasons
Urgency
1/5
Honest verdict: you can likely DIY this$0–$250Typical repair cost
Likely causes, most common first
- Humidity swelling the door or frame — Chicagoland's seasonal special
- Hinges loose, letting the door sag into the strike
- House movement shifting the strike alignment a few millimeters
Do this right now
- Tighten every hinge screw first; replace one screw per hinge with a 3-inch screw into the stud
- Lipstick test: color the latch, close the door, see exactly where it hits the strike — then move/file the strike plate
DIY or call a pro?
Classic satisfying DIY. Call when MULTIPLE doors drift out of alignment together season over season — doors are honest witnesses, and jointly-sticking doors sometimes testify about foundations.
Planning this project?
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