Windows and doors which are easier to operate in summer can be a nightmare to have during winters.
Below are three of the most common door-related issues that home owners experience at this time of the year.
1. Failing to Seal Correctly
Windows and doors that don’t seal correctly often result in a lot of cold air entering the home. This is not only uncomfortable for the entire family but it will have a significantly negative impact on the energy bills as well.
One of the most common reasons for this could the impact of weather on the windows making them crack and jammed. It is quite possible that due to weather stripping, you may feel the cold air leaking through the doors and their frames. If such situation arises, you need to make sure strike plate of the doors is adjusted accordingly.
This will reduce the size of the hole where the striker goes into the lock set which will allow the door to fit more securely in its frame. Having a dust block installed on each of the door’s bottom corners will also help to provide the best possible seal on your door.
2. Binding in the Upper Corners
During winter, dampness and moisture may be released from replacement windows and doors because of heating systems that are operating in your home.
This results in the doors failing to open and close properly and it puts a tremendous amount of stress on the screws and hinges that are holding the doors. If you notice that the doorjamb is beginning to stick or catch, replace all of the screws in it with slightly larger and longer size than the original ones.
This will help to relieve the pressure that is being caused by the expansion and ultimately enable the door to be far more balanced than before.
3. Starting to Squeak Suddenly
Colder winter temperatures result in many things drying out, including the usual lubricant that may have been used on your replacement windows or door’s hinges and jambs.
This will make an otherwise quite door to develop an annoying squeak when it is opened or closed. In most cases, all that will be required to eliminate the squeaks is a little silicone-based graphite or PTFE lubricant. This can be applied by gently removing the pins that hold the hinges in place, coating the hinges with the lubricant and replacing the pins again afterwards.
Don’t use grease to lubricate the door hinges, as this will attract a significant amount of dust. Over time, this forms a grinding paste that will cause damage to the hinges and pins.
If you don’t feel comfortable performing DIY tasks or you would prefer to have them carried out by an expert windows and doors company do find out experts to fix them with ease for you.
