HELP - Shrinking Door Frame!

[mamboandrew]

Just (re)joined the site and after some help or advice if possible.

We are currently rennovating the entrance room in our C18th cottage - hacking off the old cement render and redoing in lime.
However - since the cement has come off the walls (about 2 weeks ago now), we have noticed the front door getting more and more difficult to open and close.
On further inspection it is evident that the door frame itself has shrunk wand is causing the door not to fit properly.
It seems that the old concrete was almost pulling the wall outwards and now it has been taken off the walls themselves (clay lump/clunch) are pushing on the frame.

Question is - what is the solution!?

Should we take out the whole frame and redo it then get a smaller door to fit?

Are there any other options?

Any help much appreciated
Many thanks
Andrew
:?

 

[Lime]

Should we take out the whole frame and redo it then get a smaller door to fit?

Presumably the cement was on the internal wall on either side of the frame?
I ask myself what could have happened to cause any shrinkage?
The only explanation I can think of given the information I have is that the frame has been distorted (not shrunk) by either:
The actual physical removal of the cement.
The removal of the cement has allowed subsequent movement.
Debris has dropped down the sides of the frame causing a wedge to form between the wall and frame creating pressure on the frame.
That opening and shutting the door without the plaster/cement support has dislodged/moved the frame and/or caused debris to fall.
That the cement held the frame and it has now relaxed into a different position.
That a hinge has become dislodged causing the door to fall giving the impression of a smaller frame.
Or a combination of any or all the above.

What is holding the frame to the wall?
Quite probably it is just a couple of nails here and there.

Rather than remove the frame and door I'd attempt to understand what has happened (by pushing the frame about to see if there is any movement) and give support or fixing to the frame where required.

A sticking door is often just a hair's breadth away from a perfect fit.

 

[inwood]

A sticking door is often just a hair's breadth away from a perfect fit.

Or a single coat of paint! - every time I fit a door just right, then paint it and doh! sticking door. Must be more gungho with the plane....

You know what they say measure once, cut thirty two times!

 

[charlie-ia]

we made a new door. ok for a few days, but as it had been left open a lot of the time it swelled. we were in a hurry to leave and it would not shut. we hit it with hammers and blocks of wood big and small, swore etc. then in desperation rubbed butter on it. mad, but worked a treat! sounds daft, but worth a try before anything major, and hopefully wont mess up the paint as wd40 or 3in1 might i think.

 

[arl]

quite a few of our doors occasionally seem to stick, but then unstick themselves later. seems to be to do with the weather and the levels of humidity and temperature.

 

[Nemesis]

Our doors do the same.