Doors & Windows

Interior Doors

All doors, exterior or interior, require routine maintenance. Below are maintenance guidelines for solving several minor problems.

The "reveal" (the space between the bottom of the door and the floor covering) was sized for the floor covering installed. Rubber door stops were installed in your home to minimize damage to gypsum wallboard resulting from the door knob striking this surface. However, this door stop is not intended to stop a door that is slammed open and may in fact cause damage to the door or wall if this happens.

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold closet door tracks require occasional lubrication. Silicone spray lubricant or a similar type of dry lubricant is recommended instead of oil, which collects dust and gets sticky. Take care not to force the doors shut, as this will cause them to fall out of alignment. Doors can be readjusted with the use of a Phillips screwdriver and a small adjustable wrench.

For extra strength, bi-fold doors are hung at both the top and bottom on tracks with nylon guides. Care should be taken not to force the doors shut, as this can cause the guide mechanism to fall out of alignment.

Expansion or contraction of the framing members surrounding the opening, or normal settling of the home, may cause a slight change in the size or shape of the opening, permitting the nylon guide to slip from the track, usually at the top. A minor adjustment with a screw driver will correct the door for proper operation. First, get into the closet and shut the door. On the edge of the door containing the guide mechanism there is an opening providing access to the guide mechanism. Slide the mechanism up or down as necessary until the guide sits in the track as far as it will go without force.

Tighten the lock screw, which holds the guide in place on the track. When making this adjustment, check the other lock screws for tightness and the guides for proper projection into the track. The aluminum track should be sprayed with a silicone solution to lubricate the nylon guide and provide easy operation. Silicone spray lubricant or a similar type of dry lubricant is recommended instead of oil which collects dust and becomes sticky.

Locks

Occasionally, it will be necessary to re-tighten the screws that attach door locks and handle sets to the door. This is easily accomplished with the use of a screwdriver. If the door will not close because of misalignment of the door lock, first tighten the screws in the strike plate on the door jamb. If the door still will not stay closed, it may be necessary to reset the strike plate one way or the other to compensate for the minor settling that occurs in every home.

A small amount of lubricant, available at grocery stores, hardware stores, and auto parts dealers, will keep the inner parts of door locks working smoothly.

If someone gets locked in a bathroom, the lock can be opened from the outside by using the bathroom key (usually above the door casing) or by inserting a thin flathead screwdriver into the hole in the knob and turning the handle.

Windows

• Keep sill channels free of dirt for proper operation.
• Keep drain holes free of dirt for proper drainage.
• Remove broken glass with gloved hands, remove inner frame and bring it to a hardware store or glazier for replacement.

Conventional Window Screens

Window screens are designed only for the purpose of preventing insects from entering the home when windows are open. They will not prevent humans, even small children, from falling from the window.

Children should never be without supervision near an open, screened window and should not be permitted to place their weight against, or push against, a window screen. Open windows, even when screened, pose a serious danger to children.

Furniture should not be placed near windows or arranged in a manner to provide children easy access to a window.

Blinds

Open blinds only when slats are in the open position. Permanent damage may result from opening blinds with the slats closed. Protect the finish by cleaning slats often with a soft cloth. Occasionally, take them down and wash thoroughly, replacing the cords and tapes as needed.