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Locks, Hinges & Door Hardware Maintenance

To maintain the performance and useful life of your home's locks, hinges and door hardware, it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your locks and hinges.

Locks, hinges and door hardware, especially on exterior doors, need lubrication and adjustment to operate properly.  Frequent opening, closing and slamming can loosen hardware.  Sagging of the door can cause excessive wear to occur.  See also:  Weatherstripping & Caulking and Windows.

Shown below are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your locks, hinges and door hardware.  

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 Maintenance Task:  Inspect and lubricate locks and hinges

  
       
    How do you inspect and lubricate locks and hinges?  

 

  

To inspect locks, hinges and door hardware:

  1. Tighten loose bolts on door knobs and handles.

  2. Tighten loose screws in hinges.

  3. Re-hang doors if they have begun to sag or stick.

  4. Check that the door closer valve (on storm or screen doors) is set to allow a smooth and gentle close.

To lubricate locks and hinges:

  1. Locks should be lubricated with special graphite designed for locks.

  2. Hinges should be lubricated with penetrating oil.  If the hinges are rusty:  remove the hinge pin, clean with steel wool, and coat both with protective grease.  Wipe up any excess grease or oil.

  
       
    Why is it important to inspect and lubricate locks and hinges?  

 

  

Allows smoother operation of locks, hinges and door hardware. Proper door adjustment reduces wear on doors and frames.

  
       
    How often should you inspect and lubricate locks and hinges?  
    Perform annually (April).  

 

  

 

    
    How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?  
    The cost of this task is moderately low, depending on how many doors that you have in your home and their age.  You will need a screwsdriver, special graphite designed for locks, light penetrating oil, steel wool, and protective grease.  
         
    The benefits of this task are moderate, in that it will improve the operation of your doors, and helps to reduce the wear on your doors and door frames.  
       
    Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):   

 

  

 

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Maintenance Library index
Air Conditioning (central) Foundation Program Thermostats
Air Conditioning (room unit) Freezer Radiators
Attic Furnace Refrigerator
Automatic Lawn Sprinklers Furniture (Fine Wood) Roof
Barbeque Grill Furniture (Leather) Roof Gutters
Baseboard Heating System Furniture (Upholstered) Safety Tips
Basement Garage Security System
Brick Siding Garbage Disposal Septic System
Carpets Garbage Rates Showers & Tubs
Ceiling Fan Gas Fireplace Smoke Detectors
Charity Goods Donation Heat Pump Storm Windows
Clothes Dryer Holiday Lighting Stove
CO Detectors Hot Tub Spa Sump Pump
Daylight Savings Time Humidifier Swimming Pool
Decking Insurance Rates Tax Assessment
Dehumidifier Large Trees Nearby Telephone Service Rates
Dishwasher Lawn Trash Compactor
Drapes and Blinds Locks & Hinges Utility Meter Verification
Driveway Marble Floors Vinyl Siding
Electric Air Cleaner Mattresses Washing Machine
Electric Shaver Medicines (expired) Water Beds
Electrical Ground Faults Microwave Oven Water Heater
Emergency Supplies Mortgage Rates Weatherstripping
Energy Audits Outside Lighting Well Water
Energy Rates Outside Water Faucets Windows
Energy Savings Tips Oven Window Screens
Exhaust Fans Patio Furniture Wood Siding
Fire Extinguishers Personal Computer Wood Stove
Fireplace Pest Control Wooden Floors
Forced Air Heating System Plumbing  

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