Nov 16, 2012

How to Maintain a Newly Purchased Door



 Doors, especially external ones, are affected by weather conditions like heat, cold and rain.  Timber doors have a tendency to warp as wood expand or contract in the heat and humidity.  This can cause some cracking and warping. Fortunately, there are some easy to use remedies which can prevent these little things to happen...

Wood warping:

A door warping usually means that moisture has penetrated the door and it is likely that when it dries, it will shrink.  This happens often in countries where the climate is wet and humid such as in the UK.  The change of seasons can also cause the door to expand so how can this be prevented?  If it is a new door that has not been fitted yet, it is recommended that the door be hung for about 36 hours prior to the installation.  New doors will usually have been prefinished.  However, if this is an old door which needs attention, make sure to give the door at least 2 coats of moisture repellent finish or sealant on all sides of the doors, including top and bottom.  Let it dry and reinstall the door.

Maintain your lock:
  
It could be dirty or rusty, but if it not used for some time it is likely to become stuck.  You can use graphite from a pencil lead on the key.  Rub it all over the key and the teeth, then push the key through the lock, jiggle the key inside the lock.  You may have to spray some DW40 to help it a bit more.  If the problem persists, you may have to take the lock out and take it to the locksmith for repairs.

How to fix a door that doesn’t close:

It could be that something is obstructing the door that is not quite visible at first such as a loose screw or some dirt around the lock.  It is best to eliminate those possibilities first of all.  Quite often, it is the door expanding or contracting when it has been exposed to severe weather conditions.  In times of heavy rainfall, humidity can cause the door to expand and not work properly.  Inserting a large nail into the frame pulling the frame tighter to the wall might fix the problem temporarily.  If the issue persists however, you will need to sand the edge of the door, being careful not to sand off too much of the material so that you are not left with a large gap between the frame and the door. Check your hinges have not come loose or that they are not bent.  Screws can easily be tightened but if your hinges are bent, you might need to replace them.  Get someone to help you with removing and hanging doors as this is a two-man job.

Check the door jamb:

The door jamb is the vertical part of the door frame and can sometimes split or rot.  It is important to see to it immediately, especially if it is your front door. Replacing the door jamb will require, first of all, removing the molding before removing the broken jamb.  You will then need to break the side jamb and dislodge it from the top jamb.  The new jamb can be cut with a hand saw and secured to the frame with nails whilst pressing tightly against the top jamb.  For a step by step tutorial on how to change a door jamb, you can go online and search for videos which will show you exactly how it is done.
  
Most modern doors require little maintenance as they often been prefinished with durable coats and materials.  Find out more about fusion doors and the wide range of designs available to you.

Search Term :

No comments:

  © Blogger template 'A Click Apart' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP