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Carpentry & Joinery

Swollen wooden door (outside)

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.27 PM

The only access door to my garage (detached from my home) has swollen from the wet weather over the winter. It could be a long time before the wood dries, and I really need to access the garage asap. Does anyone have any ideas on the easiest way to open the door, with the least damage? I can see that in parts, the wood of the door and the frame meet....I have tried furiously rattling the handle, but I am concerned this will take the handle off, and this doesn't seem to do anything anyway. Thank you

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2 Answers

Anonymous user

Hi Lucy, to minimise damage I would suggest using a bolster (a wide 2.5" chisel), tapping it into the gap between the door and the frame and working your way down the door use it to lever the door open. Since a bolster is wider than a normal chisel it will spread the load and cause less damage. Avoid levering near the lock as this area will be weaker due to the material removed for fitting the lock. Once the door is open have it trimmed by a few mm and treated to avoid swelling again. Best of luck, Rob

Answered23 February 2017

K Building

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Aylesbury

I m afraid you had few options. Damage the door, or the frame, or the walls. Because doesn't look very reasonable to install a site heater in front of the door for half day, until wood dries. Could you upload somewhere a picture of the door?

Answered23 February 2017