Sunday, February 13, 2011 - By Relocation.com Staff
Although we take doors for granted, they too need some TLC to stay in good working order. Hinges and locks typically take a real breaking on the typical door so lubricate the at least once a year. WD-40 works well. A door typically has three to four hinges.
To lubricate hinges is a relatively simple procedure.
- First, you need to remove one hinge pin. You may need to tap them up from the bottom. After you remove the pin, drop a nail in the hinge to temporarily replace the removed pin and prevent the door form sagging off its hinges.
- Spray the pin with a light coating of lubricant and replace the pin in the hinge.
- Repeat for all hinges.
Lubricating a door lock is also relatively simple procedure.
- First, clean out the keyhole with a penetrating lubricant like WD 40.
- Spray the lubricant into the keyhole itself and then spray it on the key.
- Slide the key in and out of the lock several times to spread the lubricant.
- If this cleaning doesn't free the lock, disassemble, clean and reassemble the entire door lock.
Here's how..
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to take out the two connecting screws that are located by the doorknob on the inside of the lock.
- Remove the two screws that hold the lock faceplate on the edge of the door.
- Slide the doorknob off the spindle, pull out the lock mechanism and remove the latch bolt from its hole in the edge of the door.
- Lay out the disassembled lock parts on layers of newspapers or paper towels.
- Spray a light all-purpose household lubricant or silicone lubricant on all moving parts of the lock, flushing out the latch bolt. Use powdered graphite to lubricate the lock cylinders.
