Purchasing a door can be a serious investment. Here are some simple maintenance checks you can do yourself. With these you can improve your doors’ condition and prolong their lifespan.
Handling New Doors
Handle new doors with care before they are installed with these steps.
- If you have purchased a timber door, install it as soon as possible. Store it in a dry, well-ventilated place if there are any delays in the installation.
- When you move a door around, lift it and carry it. Dragging a door may chip or splinter it, or scratch floors.
- Do not leave an uninstalled door near damp plaster, wet paint, or very humid areas, such as basements or outdoor sheds. Even a quality door may warp or twist.
- Regarding doors sitting on site, most manufacturers require that the doors be sealed on all 6 sides immediately to meet their manufacturer warranties. Many doors will have either a sticker adhered to the edge of the door, or a separate sheet detailing door limitations in terms of sizing and sealing. Refer to individual supplier specification sheets or ask Hoults Doors to verify the requirements. Not taking care of this can affect your warranty.
Care for Entrance Doors
Check your entrance doors every year – here’s what to do, and what to NOT do!
- Note paint or finish problems. Repair any paint/finish cracks or blisters – these need to be repaired by scraping and recoating to ensure water does not penetrate into the core of the door causing irreparable damage.
- For glass and glazing, check that the putty is sound, still creating a seal, and that no water is penetrating around the glass.
- NEVER power wash doors! This can strip the finish from doors and put excessive pressure on glass/glazing.
Care for Interior Doors
Check interior doors regularly, too.
- Watch out for scuffs and chips.
- Clear away dust buildup around the base of doors, and in door mouldings and details.
- Noisy hinges? A squirt of sprayable WD40 usually takes care of the noise.
- Clean painted interior doors with warm water, some liquid dish soap, and a soft cleaning cloth. Do not use strong household cleaners that contain bleach, ammonia, or abrasives, and do not use hot water.
- To clean wood or veneer interior doors, use warm water, oil soap, and a soft cleaning cloth.
Bathroom Door Care
At Hoults Doors, we find that humid New Zealand bathrooms are the #1 interior location for door problems. Twice a year, check bathroom doors:
- Check regularly for paint or finish problems. Repair any paint/finish cracks or blisters – these need to be repaired by scraping and recoating to ensure water does not penetrate into the core of the door causing irreparable damage.
- Watch out for mold on bathroom doors. Clean it away as soon as it appears, using the gentle cleaning methods described.
- NEVER hang wet towels on a bathroom door. If you are using hooks on the door for storage, use them to hang bath robes or dry towels.
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