Door is difficult to lock or unlock
Cause
The lock requires lubrication
Repair
- lubricate the lock with graphite (fine oil lubricant will attract dust and become sticky, making the lock more difficult to use in the future)
Cause
Dirt in the keyhole obstructs the locking mechanism
Repair
- clean out with fine wire or a pipe cleaner, then lubricate the lock with graphite
Repair
- replace the key and/or lock
Cause
The lock is not aligned to the striker plate, causing door to jam
Repair
- adjust the door alignment
Cause
The door frame has distorted over time
Repair
- aluminium doors may be gently jemmied back into shape. For timber framed doors, check the condition of frame joints and tighten by re-glueing or screwing as required
Repair
- if the building has settled, consider re-levelling and/or repiling during renovations; the door may then be adjusted
Cause
The door has bowed due to moisture uptake
Repair
- allow the door to straighten, remove and paint all surfaces and edges, and reinstall
- for badly distorted doors, replace the door
Cause
The door is out of square
Repair
- allow the door to straighten, remove and paint all surfaces and edges, and reinstall
- for badly distorted doors, replace the door