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Facility Maintenance: Door Hardware
January 08, 2012
FaciliTech offers some tips on how to keep your door hardware performing correctly.
Just like other building components, door hardware requires periodic maintenance due to general wear and tear. Performing building maintenance as part of a preventative program can help extend the life of your door hardware, keeping your repair and replacement costs down. Here are a few helpful hints:
- Once or twice a year, lubricate key components. Hinges and door closers may require a few drops of oil at the top so it runs between the hinge pin and the housing.
- Dry graphite should be used on locking mechanisms, NEVER oil. Graphite will prevent sticking resulting from the accumulation of dust and dirt, but oil will attract dust and dirt. One other note: Do NOT lubricate electronic locks with graphite; it will insulate and interfere with the current flowing through the contacts. It is best to lubricate your locks just before cold weather hits.
- Hinges may need adjustment. Technicians should ensure that hinge screws are tight, especially in wood door frames. If the screws get loose, they should fill the hole with a hardening filler, re-drill the hole and replace them.
- Door closers operate either pneumatically, using air, or hydraulically, using oil. When used often, doors may bang against the stop or may not close completely. Techs can adjust the screws on the cylinder to fix this. This regulates the speed of the door closing so it closes gently without banging.
Determining the right maintenance program for your hardware systems may depend on the type of hardware, frequency of use, and the amount of dirt and dust in the area of the door (e.g., industrial spaces may have more dust than an office area). For help with your hardware maintenance please give us a call. Joe, our certified locksmith, will be glad to help!
Allen Bernard
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