If wooden doors and windows become stuck due to rain and humidity, some simple home remedies can help restore them. You don't even need to call a carpenter.

wooden doors

Wooden windows and doors often swell during the rainy season. This is primarily due to moisture entering the wood. Wood absorbs water and moisture, causing it to expand slightly and tighten against the frame. This requires force to open and close the door, while windows also don't open easily.

If the problem isn't too serious, it's not always necessary to call a carpenter. It can be fixed by thoroughly drying the wood and paying a little attention to the areas that are experiencing the most wear. It's also important to protect the wood from moisture during the rainy season to prevent doors and windows from swelling again.

Dry the doors and windows thoroughly first.

If wood has expanded after rain, allow it time to dry. Open doors and windows to allow ventilation. If it's not raining outside, open windows for a while to reduce indoor humidity. If the room is overly damp, running a fan or dehumidifier can also help. Constant moisture can cause wood to expand and shrink repeatedly. Therefore, along with correcting the problem, it's also important to keep the humidity low. Wood expands when it absorbs moisture and shrinks back when it dries.

Lightly sand the areas where the wood is rubbing.

If you feel excessive friction in one area when closing the door, identify that area. Then, lightly sand that area with fine sandpaper. There's no need to remove too much wood at once. After sanding a little, close the door and lightly sand again as needed. If the wood in the window frame or its moving parts has swollen due to moisture, lightly sand the affected edge in the same manner. Avoid using force or pushing with any heavy object to open the window, as this could damage the frame or glass.

After recovery, make arrangements to protect it from moisture.

Simply fixing the swelling isn't enough. It's also important to prevent moisture from entering again during the rainy season . After thoroughly drying the wood on the edges, top, and bottom of the door, protect it with a moisture-repellent primer, paint, or sealant. The bottom of the door, in particular, is more exposed to water, so don't neglect this. If water or air is leaking in through the edges of the door, use weatherstripping or sealing tape. This helps close the gap and minimizes direct moisture exposure. If the wood has expanded significantly, started to rot, the frame is warped, or the door or window won't open at all, it's best to have a vendor inspect it instead of cutting more wood yourself. For minor problems, drying, light sanding, and proper sealing go a long way.