Doors

DOORS

Graphite can be used to free a stiff lock in a door. A simple way to do this is to rub a pencil's lead on to the door key.

When putting hinges in place for a new door, avoid weakening the wood joints in the door by positioning the hinges about six and nine inches from the top and bottom of the door respectively. A third hinge is usually required to help take the weight of a heavy door.

Brass screws are soft compared to steel but brass works better in a door hinge. To avoid damaging the brass screw when you tighten it up, use a steel one first to make most of the hole.

A simple way to prevent a door that scrapes or sticks to the floor is to fasten some very coarse sandpaper to the floor and open and close the door over it.

If fitting a new doorway, brace the door frame by fastening a piece of wood across one or both diagonals of the frame.