Is it time you fixed your front door? From locking problems to cold draughts, there are all kinds of faults that a front door can develop. Below are 5 signs that it could be time to repair your front door.
Locking problems
Lock issues such as misaligned strike plates, jammed latches/deadbolts, broken keys in locks and worn-out cylinders are very common. In these cases, you should always call out a local locksmith as soon as you can so that you’re not left with a door that doesn’t lock or unlock properly. If your front door has a very old lock, this might always be worth updating – such a lock could be easy to break into and could make you a magnet for burglars.
Rotting wood
Is the door or frame starting to rot? Such a problem typically requires immediate fixing. Rot can weaken the structural integrity of a door and can make the door insecure against a break-in. Other issues, like warping, should also be viewed as a major concern. When it comes to metal doors, be careful of corrosion, as this too can lead to structural weakness and security issues.
Closing issues
Is your front door difficult to close? Or do you have trouble opening it? Many problems can cause a door to jam or stick. It’s possible that the door or frame may have swollen up due to temperature changes. Sanding down the edge could be a solution to this problem.
Alternatively, the strike plate may no longer line up with the latch and may need to be realigned. Sometimes loose hinges can also cause a door to droop and rub on the frame – tightening up the hinges could be an easy fix to this issue. Finally, check there are no major structural problems causing misalignment.
Grinding hinges
If the hinges are making a lot of noise, you may also want to take a look into this. It’s possible that they may just need some extra lubrication to stop them squeaking. Alternatively, there could be dust or gunk that needs to be cleaned out.
Check that the hinges themselves are not too worn or rusty, as this could also be a cause. Corrosion can typically cause a distinct ‘grinding’ sound, which is different from your average creaky hinge. Hinges that are rusted or worn will need to be replaced.
Cold draughts
A good quality front door shouldn’t let any cold air in. If you’ve been noticing draughts in your hallway, check whether there are any gaps around the frame. Installing weatherstripping can prevent air from getting in around the sides, while a door sweep can stop draughts coming in from below the door.
Make sure that there are no cracks in the frame itself, as this could also be causing cold air to get in. Fixing this problem will help to keep out cold draughts and could lead to reduced energy bills in winter, as well as potentially helping to also keep out leaks.
Image courtesy of Julia Volk on pixabay.com.
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