Doing these five things regularly can help you avoid problems and save money in the long run.
Is your door slamming? Check the closer.
A fast closing door that pushes you through the opening is annoying. Fixing the closer can be as simple as adjusting the closing speed by turning the screw on top of the closer. If this does not work, you may need to replace the closer. General wear and tear, or doors ripped open by high winds, can cause closers to fail. One sure sign of closer failure is oily residue on the bottom of the closer or on the floor below the closer.
Don’t open or close your door by pulling the key.
Pulling on your key puts pressure on the inner chambers of the lock. Over time, this will cause your lock to fail. The correct procedure is to pull the door open or closed using the handle. Only use the key to lock or unlock the door.
Need to prop the door open? Use a door stop.
Whatever you do, don’t jamb something in the hinge. Repeated propping open of the door this way will cause sagging doors that won’t close. Doing so puts pressure on the hinges and causes a host of alignment issues.
Weather stripping is a good thing.
Can you see light around your door? If so, it’s time to install new weather stripping. Otherwise, you’re in for a drafty winter. It doesn’t do anything to protect your door, but it will help protect your bottom line. You will keep energy costs down. You will also keep your temperature consistent by reducing drafts.
Replacing batteries in your locking hardware?
Always use brand-name batteries. Off-brand batteries drain much faster than their brand-name counterparts.