A door that sticks, binds, drags on the floor, or won't latch properly is one of the most common repair calls in Palm Bay — and one of the most misunderstood. Most homeowners assume it means the door or frame needs replacing. In reality, the vast majority of door alignment problems in Palm Bay are caused by humidity-driven wood swelling or minor foundation settling, both of which can be corrected without replacing anything.
Door Alignment Services in Palm Bay
- Hinge adjustment and tightening — loose or misaligned hinges are the most common cause of a sagging door that won't latch
- Strike plate repositioning — moving the strike plate to match where the latch actually lands after frame movement
- Door planing — trimming the sticking edge so the door swings and closes freely
- Frame squaring — adjusting a racked door frame caused by foundation settling
- Door edge sealing — sealing all door edges to slow moisture absorption and reduce seasonal swelling
- Threshold and sweep adjustment — correcting doors that drag on the floor or leave gaps at the bottom
Why Palm Bay Doors Go Out of Alignment
Palm Bay's humidity swings between 60% in winter and 90%+ during summer. Wood door frames absorb this moisture and expand, then contract as humidity drops — often unevenly. Over several cycles, doors that fit perfectly when installed begin to bind on the latch side in summer and rattle in their frames in winter. This is especially pronounced in older Port Malabar homes with original wood frames and doors that have been through 30–50 humidity cycles.
Foundation movement is the second major cause. Palm Bay's clay soil expands when wet and contracts during dry periods, causing slight but measurable foundation movement that racks door frames out of square. The telltale sign is a gap around the door that's wider on one diagonal than the other — the frame has shifted rather than the door swelled.
Door Alignment Pricing in Palm Bay
Hinge adjustment and strike plate repositioning: $95–$175. Door planing: $150–$250. Frame adjustment for settling: $200–$400. Most jobs completed same-day in a single visit.