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Door sticking at top corner showing foundation settlement and frame alignment issues
Foundation Warning Sign

Door Sticking at Top Corner?

When a door sticks at the top corner, it's often one of the first visible signs of foundation settlement. While it could also be hinge issues or frame sagging, top corner sticking is serious enough to warrant immediate professional evaluation—especially if multiple doors show the same pattern.

Understanding Top Corner Door Sticking

A door that binds or catches at the top corner is more than just an annoyance—it's often an early warning sign that something structural may be shifting in your home. Unlike doors that stick seasonally due to humidity, top corner sticking typically indicates that your door frame has moved out of alignment, causing the upper corner of the door to catch against the frame.

The location matters significantly. Top corner sticking is distinctly different from bottom-edge sticking or side binding. When a door consistently catches at the top corner, it suggests that the frame has either sagged on one side or that the structure supporting it has shifted—both scenarios that point toward foundation settlement as a primary concern.

This isn't to say that every top corner sticking door is a foundation emergency. Hinge problems, particularly loose or failing upper hinges, can also cause similar symptoms. Frame deterioration from moisture or age can lead to sagging. However, when you notice top corner sticking—especially across multiple doors in your home, or when it's accompanied by other signs like wall cracks or uneven floors—the probability of foundation involvement increases dramatically.

The challenge for homeowners is that top corner sticking often develops gradually. You might initially dismiss it as the door "settling" or blame it on seasonal changes. But unlike humidity-related sticking that comes and goes with the weather, foundation-related top corner binding tends to be constant and progressive, worsening over months and years as settlement continues.

Why Doors Stick at the Top Corner

Understanding the root causes of top corner sticking helps determine severity and appropriate response. Here are the primary reasons doors bind at the top corner.

Primary Cause: Foundation Settlement

Differential settlement is the most serious and common cause of top corner door sticking. This occurs when different parts of your foundation settle at different rates, causing structural movement throughout your home.

When one corner or section of your foundation sinks faster than another, the entire structure above it shifts. Door frames, which are rigidly attached to wall studs and floor framing, move with this settlement. As the frame shifts out of square, the door—which hasn't changed—no longer fits properly within its opening.

The top corner is particularly vulnerable because this is where misalignment becomes most pronounced. As the frame sags or tilts, the clearance at the top corner narrows, causing the door to catch or bind when opening and closing.

Why Foundation Settlement Affects the Top Corner:

  • Frame diagonal distortion concentrates stress at corners
  • Gravity pulls the sagging side downward, pinching the top
  • Upper hinge mounting points shift relative to lower hinges
  • Progressive settlement worsens binding over time
Door frame distortion from foundation settlement causing top corner binding
Foundation-Related Frame Distortion

Secondary Causes of Top Corner Sticking

Frame Sagging (Non-Foundation)

Over time, door frames can sag due to moisture damage, wood deterioration, or inadequate structural support. This is particularly common in older homes where the header above the door may have weakened.

How to identify: Usually isolated to one door, frame shows visible moisture damage or rot, surrounding structure appears stable with no other settling signs.

Hinge Problems

Loose, damaged, or improperly installed hinges can cause the door to sag, creating binding at the top corner opposite the hinges. This is one of the simpler fixes but must be distinguished from structural issues.

How to identify: Visible hinge looseness, screw holes stripped or enlarged, binding stops when door is lifted slightly, problem isolated to single door.

Door Swelling from Moisture

Wood doors can absorb moisture and swell, particularly at the top edge where moisture tends to accumulate. However, true moisture swelling typically affects the entire edge, not just the corner.

How to identify: Seasonal pattern (worse in humid months), affects entire top edge not just corner, door returns to normal when dry.

Improper Installation

Doors installed without proper shimming or when the rough opening wasn't square can develop top corner binding. This issue is typically present from installation rather than developing over time.

How to identify: Problem existed since door installation, hasn't worsened significantly over time, no other structural symptoms present.

Critical Distinction

While all these causes can create top corner sticking, foundation settlement is uniquely progressive and affects the entire structure. Hinge problems, moisture swelling, and improper installation are typically static issues that don't worsen over time. If your top corner sticking is getting worse, if multiple doors show the same pattern, or if you notice other structural symptoms—foundation settlement becomes the primary suspect and requires immediate professional evaluation.

Signs & Symptoms: How to Identify Top Corner Sticking

Recognizing the specific characteristics of top corner sticking helps determine whether you're dealing with a simple fix or a structural concern requiring professional assessment.

Primary Symptoms

1

Door Catches at Upper Corner When Opening

The most obvious symptom is that the door physically catches or binds at the top corner as you open it. You may need to push harder or lift the door slightly to get it past the sticking point. The binding occurs consistently in the same location—the upper corner opposite the hinges.

2

Visible Gap Narrowing at Top Corner

When the door is closed, examine the gap between the door and frame around the entire perimeter. With top corner sticking, you'll typically see that the gap at the binding corner is noticeably narrower than the gap at other locations. This indicates frame misalignment.

3

Paint or Finish Wear at Contact Point

Look for worn paint, scuffing, or finish damage at the exact spot where the door catches. This wear pattern develops over time as the door repeatedly rubs against the frame. The presence of fresh wood exposed from paint wear indicates active, ongoing binding.

4

Difficulty Latching or Locking

As the frame shifts, the latch and strike plate may no longer align properly. You might notice that the door doesn't latch securely, the lock is difficult to engage, or you need to push the door into the frame to get it to latch—all while top corner binding is present.

What to Look For During Inspection

  • Close the door and check gap uniformity around entire perimeter
  • Open door slowly and note exact location where binding occurs
  • Examine all hinges for looseness, damage, or screw pullout
  • Look for paint wear patterns indicating contact points
  • Check if the frame appears visibly out of square
  • Test latch alignment and operation

Accompanying Warning Signs

If top corner sticking appears alongside these symptoms, foundation settlement becomes much more likely:

  • Multiple doors sticking in same pattern
  • Wall cracks, especially diagonal cracks above doors/windows
  • Gaps between walls and ceiling or walls and floor
  • Floors that slope or feel uneven
  • Windows that stick or don't open properly
  • Exterior brick or mortar cracks
  • Problem worsening over time

How Serious Is Top Corner Sticking?

Severity Depends on the Underlying Cause

The seriousness of top corner door sticking ranges from "minor inconvenience" to "urgent structural concern" depending entirely on what's causing it. This is why professional evaluation is essential—you can't determine severity through observation alone.

Low Severity

Causes: Loose hinges, minor humidity swelling, isolated frame issue

Action: Simple repairs may suffice, but confirm cause first

Moderate Severity

Causes: Frame deterioration, significant moisture damage, structural wood issues

Action: Frame repair/replacement may be needed

High Severity

Causes: Foundation settlement, structural shifting, progressive movement

Action: Immediate professional evaluation required

When to Worry: Red Flags

These indicators suggest high severity requiring urgent attention:

  • Multiple doors affected: Indicates whole-structure movement, not isolated issues
  • Progressive worsening: If sticking has gotten worse over months/years, structural issues are likely
  • Constant year-round: Not seasonal, indicating permanent frame displacement
  • Accompanied by cracks: Wall cracks + sticking doors = strong foundation settlement signal
  • Exterior doors worse: Exterior frames more rigidly connected, first to show settlement

Don't guess about severity. The cost and consequences of misdiagnosis far exceed the investment in professional evaluation.

Diagnosis Guide: Determining the Cause

While only professionals can definitively diagnose foundation issues, this guide helps you understand what inspectors look for and what you can observe before calling an expert.

Step-by-Step DIY Assessment

1

Document All Affected Doors

Walk through your entire home and identify every door that sticks. Note the location of sticking (top corner, bottom, side) for each one. If multiple doors stick at the top corner, this pattern strongly suggests structural movement rather than isolated issues.

What to record: Door location, where it sticks, how long it's been happening, whether it's worsening

2

Inspect Hinges and Hardware

Check all three hinges on the affected door. Look for loose screws, stripped screw holes, bent hinges, or visible gaps between the hinge and frame/door. Try tightening screws—if they spin freely without gripping, the screw holes are stripped.

Quick test: Lift the door slightly while opening. If binding stops when lifted, hinges are likely the issue.

3

Check Frame Squareness

Use a long level or straight edge against the door frame's vertical jambs and horizontal header. A properly square frame will show consistent contact. If you see gaps or the frame appears visibly out of square, structural movement may be responsible.

Professional alternative: Structural inspectors use laser levels and precision measuring tools to detect even minor frame distortion.

4

Look for Accompanying Structural Symptoms

Survey your home for other settlement indicators: wall cracks (especially diagonal cracks above door/window corners), gaps between walls and ceiling/floor, uneven or sloping floors, sticking windows, or exterior foundation cracks.

Critical insight: Door sticking alone may be minor, but door sticking + wall cracks + floor slope = high probability of foundation settlement.

5

Assess Timeline and Progression

Consider when the sticking started and whether it's worsening. Sudden onset after a specific event (plumbing leak, drought, construction nearby) provides clues. Progressive worsening over months or years strongly indicates active foundation movement.

Key distinction: Static problems (hinges, improper installation) don't worsen over time. Foundation settlement is progressive.

What Professionals Look For

Professional structural inspections go far beyond what homeowners can assess:

  • Laser-level floor surveys to detect elevation changes
  • Foundation crack mapping and measurement
  • Soil analysis and drainage assessment
  • Crawl space or basement structural examination
  • Comprehensive documentation for repair planning
  • Load-bearing analysis and stress point identification

DIY vs. Professional Assessment

Homeowner observations are valuable for initial awareness, but cannot replace professional diagnosis:

DIY Can Identify: Obvious hinge problems

If hinges are visibly loose and tightening them solves the issue

Professional Needed: Everything else

Frame distortion, foundation movement, structural assessment, determining severity, planning repairs

Bottom line: Don't attempt structural repairs based on DIY assessment. Get professional confirmation first.

Solutions for Top Corner Door Sticking

The appropriate solution depends entirely on the underlying cause. Here's what to expect based on professional diagnosis.

Solution Pathways Based on Cause

If Foundation Settlement Is the Cause

When professional inspection confirms foundation settlement, the door sticking is a symptom—not the problem itself. The primary solution is foundation repair, which addresses the root cause and prevents further structural damage.

Common Foundation Repair Methods:
  • Helical piers or push piers for stabilization
  • Slabjacking or mudjacking for slab foundations
  • Underpinning for severe settlement
  • Drainage correction to prevent future movement
Cost & Timeline:

Cost range: $3,000 - $15,000+ depending on severity and home size

Timeline: 1-3 days for most residential repairs

Door resolution: Once foundation is stabilized, doors typically return to normal operation or require minor adjustment

Important: Attempting to "fix" the door without addressing foundation settlement is futile—the structural movement will continue, and you'll be in a cycle of constant adjustments while the underlying problem worsens.

If Hinge Problems Are the Cause

Hinge-related sticking is usually straightforward to fix once confirmed as the sole cause.

Repair Options:
  • Tighten loose hinge screws
  • Replace stripped screws with longer ones
  • Fill stripped screw holes and re-drill
  • Replace damaged hinges entirely
  • Shim hinges for proper alignment
Cost & Timeline:

Cost range: $100 - $300 for professional repair

Timeline: 1-2 hours

DIY potential: Possible if you have basic tools and skills, but confirm cause first

If Frame Sagging/Damage Is the Cause

Frame deterioration from moisture, age, or structural stress requires frame repair or replacement.

Repair Approaches:
  • Partial frame repair for isolated damage
  • Complete frame replacement if extensively damaged
  • Header reinforcement if sagging is present
  • Moisture remediation to prevent recurrence
Cost & Timeline:

Cost range: $500 - $2,000 depending on extent

Timeline: 1-2 days including door rehang

Note: Frame replacement typically requires removing and reinstalling trim

If Minor Adjustment Is Needed

In some cases (humidity swelling, minor installation issues), planing or sanding the door edge may resolve sticking—but only after ruling out structural causes.

Adjustment Methods:
  • Planing high spots on door edge
  • Sanding contact points
  • Refinishing sanded areas to seal against moisture
Cost & Timeline:

Cost range: $150 - $400

Timeline: 2-4 hours

Warning: Never sand/plane without confirming cause—you may worsen structural issues

The Critical First Step: Professional Diagnosis

Regardless of which solution is ultimately needed, professional diagnosis must come first. Attempting repairs without knowing the cause wastes money, risks making problems worse, and delays addressing serious structural issues that continue to progress in the background.

Top Corner Sticking: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my door sticking at the top corner?

Doors sticking at the top corner are most commonly caused by foundation settlement, where one part of your home settles faster than another, causing the door frame to sag or shift. Other causes include hinge problems, frame sagging from age or moisture, or structural shifts. Professional evaluation is essential to determine the exact cause.

Is top corner sticking a sign of foundation problems?

Top corner sticking is one of the most common early indicators of foundation settlement. When your foundation settles unevenly (differential settlement), door frames shift and cause binding at the top corner. However, not all top corner sticking is foundation-related—it could be hinge issues or frame problems. Only professional inspection can determine if foundation settlement is the cause.

How serious is a door sticking at the top corner?

The severity depends on the underlying cause. If caused by foundation settlement, top corner sticking can indicate serious structural issues that will worsen over time without repair. If caused by hinge problems or minor frame issues, it may be a simple fix. Constant year-round sticking, multiple doors affected, or accompanying wall cracks indicate more serious concerns requiring immediate professional evaluation.

Can I fix top corner door sticking myself?

We strongly advise against DIY fixes until a professional identifies the cause. If your top corner sticking is caused by foundation settlement, sanding the door or adjusting hinges will only mask the symptom while structural damage continues to progress. If the cause is simple hinge misalignment, adjustments may help—but only professional evaluation can determine which scenario applies to your situation.

Have more questions about top corner sticking?

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Seasonal Summer Sticking

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Don't Wait Until Damage Worsens

Top corner door sticking often indicates foundation settlement—a progressive problem that worsens over time without intervention. The longer you wait, the more expensive repairs become and the greater the risk to your property value.

Professional evaluation provides clarity: either you'll have peace of mind knowing it's a simple fix, or you'll catch structural issues early when they're most manageable and affordable to address.

Free, no-obligation assessment from vetted structural experts