48
Exterior Doors
Your home’s exterior doors need minor
adjustments and maintenance to keep them
operating smoothly.
Care and maintenance
The following are tips for maintaining your
exterior doors.
General maintenance
A proper seal on your exterior doors stops most
dust and water from entering your home. But
even the best seal may not stop all dust or rain
driven by a brisk wind. Exterior doors also have
weatherstripping around them which helps seal
them. Look for light under or around exterior
doors. If you see the light, dust, or water can get
in. Adjust the sweeps, thresholds (if they can
be adjusted), and weatherstripping until you no
longer can see light.
Entrance doors
Ensure the weatherstripping around all exterior
doors is fastened tightly. Check every spring
and fall.
Prevent the door from sticking by applying
petroleum jelly to rubber or vinyl
weatherstripping.
If hinges squeak or locks stick, spray an aerosol
lubricant on them.
Minimize door hinge grinding by applying
silicone to them.
If the paint on wood doors, jambs, and trim
begins to peel, scrape, sand, and seal them.
Apply elastomeric caulk to any cracks. Inspect
every three months where the jamb meets the
threshold. Caulk as needed.
Inspect the door’s seal base for excess wear or
rips and tears.
Monitor threshold screws. If they stick up, tighten
them. Failure to do so could damage the door seal.
Check around the door hinges for black iron
residue. If you see it, remove it. Use a clean
cloth or damp sponge to wipe it or place a
magnet behind a cloth and run the magnet over
it. The residue occurs due to the friction created
in the hinges when the door opens and closes.
Sliding glass doors
Ensure tracks remain clear of debris.
Periodically apply a small amount of oil to the
lock mechanism and the bottom of the door.
Lubricate the tracks with a silicone lubricant.
This is especially important for aluminum
sliding glass doors.
If the door drags on the sill or is hard to open,
adjust the threshold as necessary.
HOME TIP: To adjust the door, follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Consult
the manufacturer’s instructions, too, if the
door doesn’t latch or slide smoothly.
Homeowners association
If your home is part of a homeowners
association, check with it regarding exterior
maintenance. You should be familiar with what
you can and cannot do and what maintenance
items the association is responsible.
