Wednesday, February 15, 2006

What about those door problems?

As the seasons change so does your house, things move a bit from temperature and ground changes. These changes are most noticable in doors and doorways and can get to be annoying.

The rattling door:

Quiet a rattling door by moving the doorstop tighter against the door at the bottom. Cut through the paint on both sides of the stop with a utility knife so it can break free. Then tap the stop in the direction of the door with a wood block and hammer. Anchor it in position with finishing nails.

No more squeak:

Silence a squeaky hinge by lubricating it with a drop or two of light household oil. Raise the hinge pin slightly so you can drip oil onto the shaft above the hinge's upper barrel. Then swing the door back and forth a few times to distribute the lubrication along the entire length of the hinge pin. Hold a paper towel under the hinge to catch drips.

Hinges worn:

Restore a worn hinge without removing it by removing the pin and placing metal washers between the lower barrels of the hinge leaves.

Loose wood facings around doors:

Prevent wood splitting when hammering in a nails, either use a very small drill to make a guide hole or, alternatively, blunt the end of the nail first.

Got a Jammed Lock:

Lubricate a jammed lock with powdered graphite, available in small squeeze bottles. Oil or grease attracts dirt and becomes sticky.

Frozen Lock:

Frozen out? Open a frozen lock by heating the key's teeth with a match or lighter before inserting it. (Wear gloves when doing this.) Spray deicer may also help.


Watch for more tips and hints right here at Manitoba Handyman Tips. Come back we can help!

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