Although the composite door is one of the lower-maintenance front entrances available, “low maintenance” does not mean “no maintenance”. There are several things that need to be done throughout the year to ensure that the front door looks great and functions properly for years to come.
Wipe Down The Slab Monthly
Using a soft cloth, wash the front and back of your door with warm soapy water on a monthly basis. This simple task will prevent dirt such as traffic grime, bird muck etc. from ingraining into the wood grain of the door. Remember to avoid the use of abrasive materials, scourers and solvent-based cleaners as these can superficially damage the door’s outer skin and also cause unequal highlighting of cleaned areas against untouched areas on the door. There is an independent web page that outlines the best practice for the cleaning and maintenance of front doors. This practice advocates ‘cleaning as you go’ i.e. gentle and frequent as opposed to less frequent hard cleaning.
Lubricate Hinges And Locks
Locks and hinges should be lubricated about twice a year. Use a light machine oil or a specialist lock lubricant. Avoid using WD40 in locks as it will initially clean the locks but after a while it will start to attract dust. Once the initial clean has dried the WD40 will not be of any use. Work the lubricant into the keyhole and then open and shut the door several times to spread it throughout the lock.
Watch For A Dropping Door
By checking the hinges every few months or so for your composite door, you should be able to tell if any of them have dropped slightly under the weight of the door. Most modern composite door hinges have an adjustment screw which allows you to raise or lower a hinge by a few millimeters as required. It’s much easier to adjust a hinge that has dropped slightly than it is to try to get a locksmith to come and repair a door that won’t open and close properly.
Check The Seals And Weather Strips
A perished rubber seal can cause a sudden draught around a door that previously seemed to fit well. It is also often the cause of water entering a property during heavy rain. A new rubber seal strip is a simple item to purchase (available by the meter) and to fit. The strip is pressed into the door track and usually stays in place well. However, it is a job that is best completed as soon as possible to prevent any further problems.
Keep Fixtures Clean And Tight
Letterboxes, handles and glazing cassettes also benefit from the odd clean with a soft cloth. Additionally, check that all fixed items such as letterbox flaps and handles are tight and if necessary, use screws to fix in place. Do not over-tighten as this can cause damage to the door’s mechanism or other parts of the door.
Clear The Threshold And Drainage
Make sure there are no leaves, grit or moss blocking the bottom of your door frame and threshold. If water is allowed to pool in the threshold over the winter months this can cause damage to the frame and also cause the bottom of the door to pull away from the frame allowing water ingress. Simply clearing out the leaves etc. every couple of months or so will prevent this problem.
Do A Seasonal Once-Over
Just before winter and after summer are two good times to take a look at your front door for signs of it warping, fading or changing in colour. Obviously a south or west facing front door is going to be the worst for this but generally composite doors, such as those fitted by Composite Doors Cardiff homeowners, require very little to look after as they are designed to withstand the damp, salty air of a coastal city as well as the change in weather that the city experiences throughout the year. Most composite doors are designed to meet security accredited door standards and as such the slab and frame are robust and will withstand the test of time and wear well.
Know When To Call A Professional
Most of the above tasks will be completed within a few minutes using standard tools. However, work to persistently sticking hinges, a failed lock as opposed to locked stiffly, a seal allowing entry of water into the frame may require the services of a qualified tradesperson. It is worth checking that any door replacement work is carried out by a FENSA registered installer for door replacements and in a property located in a Conservation Area check with Cardiff Council Planning Guidance for front door appearance changes.
If you stick to these checks, your composite door should last for many years and continue to look great, open and close properly and lock securely.
