I've got problems with my exterior doors sticking after a tropical storm.?

Question

I have two metal clad doors (Miami Dade) which have become very tight around the latch area since Tropical Storm Fay. The door with the most exposure is near impossible to open. This is the first problem I've had with them. I'm fairly sure it's the wood swelling, but why at the latch? What can be done?

Answer 1

Moisture in the wood and naturally where you notice it is the latch.  Try to leave the door open a bit once it stops raining and let it dry out on the edges.  You may want to adjust the latch or hinge pocket depth to give you more clearance on the latch side so it doesn't happen again.  Sounds like the door and or frame wasn't sealed all the way around properly or is too tight to start with.

Answer 2

For now just put some oil on the latch, because when the timber dries out it will be ok again.