Fix a shed door that won't close

Diagnose why a shed door won't close, then adjust hinges, plane sticking wood, or reposition the latch to fix it.

AB-01Work out why the door is stickingOpen and close the door slowly and watch where it catches. Look for gaps that are uneven top to bottom, screws that have worked loose, or wood that looks swollen or discoloured. A door dragging along the bottom often means dropped hinges or a sunken shed base, while tightness at the top or side usually means swollen timber or a frame that has racked out of square.

AB-02Gather your tools and materialsYou'll need a screwdriver, a pencil, a spirit level, and either sandpaper or a hand plane for swollen wood. Keep spare screws, wood filler, and a small tin of wood preservative or exterior paint to hand for repairs.

1 each · Screwdriver set

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1 each · Spirit level

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1 sheet · Sandpaper, 120 grit

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1 tub · Wood filler

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1 small tin · Exterior wood preservative

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AB-03Tighten or replace loose hinge screwsLoose hinges are the most common cause of a shed door dropping and catching. Undo each hinge screw, and if the hole is worn or the screw spins without gripping, remove it, pack the hole with a few wood splinters and a dab of wood glue, then re-fit a slightly longer screw once the glue has gone off. Tighten all screws firmly but don't over-tighten, as this can crack thin shed timber.

1 pack · Wood screws, 40mm x 5mm pack

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1 bottle · Wood glue

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AB-04Check the door and frame for squareHold a spirit level against the sides and top of the frame. If the frame has racked (leaned to one side), the shed may have shifted on uneven ground, and packing under the low corner of the base can bring it back closer to square. For a badly racked frame, loosening the frame fixings and gently squaring it up before re-fixing may solve the problem without touching the door itself.

AB-05Mark and plane down sticking woodClose the door as far as it will go and mark the spot where it catches with a pencil. Open the door, and plane or sand the marked area a little at a time, checking the fit often so you don't remove too much. Damp timber swells in wet weather, so only take off enough to let the door close in normal conditions.

1 each · Hand plane

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AB-06Realign the latch or lock keep plateIf the door closes but the latch won't catch, the keep plate on the frame is probably out of line with the latch. Unscrew the keep plate, hold the door shut, and mark the new position where the latch bolt actually lands. Re-fix the keep plate in the new spot, filling the old screw holes with wood filler first if needed.

1 pack · Wood screws, 30mm pack

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AB-07Treat any bare or sanded woodAny wood you've planed or sanded is now bare and will soak up rain, causing fresh swelling. Brush on a coat of exterior wood preservative or matching paint and let it dry fully before closing the door again.

1 each · Paintbrush

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AB-08Lubricate hinges and test the doorAdd a few drops of general-purpose oil to each hinge pin and work the door back and forth to spread it. Open and close the door several times to check it swings freely and latches properly, then sweep up any wood shavings or sawdust from the ground.

1 small can · General-purpose oil (e.g. 3-in-1)

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