It’s time for a chat.
You might not like it, but it’s necessary.
Let’s all make a commitment that we’re going to be nicer to our door and lock hardware this year. It seems like such a simple thing. We’ve heard it so many times, but when March rolls around we see it: Debris-filled strikes, neglected hinges, sagging leversets… The list goes on and on.
Guys, we can do better.
It’s not like we’re asking for anything big. It’s like I’ve learned in my many 35 years to not ever go for anything big with your resolutions. You’re just setting yourself up for failure. Instead, start out small.
For example, one year I made a resolution to always smell good (thanks, Victoria’s Secret Love Spell), one year was to always stay moisturized, and this year’s is going to be to always keep gum in my purse. They’re small, they’re manageable, and when December 31, 2016 rolls around and I can look down and see a pack of gum in my purse, I will feel accomplished.
This is the same tactic we can take for each hardware resolution! So, let’s get started.
Hardware Resolution #1: Keep your Strikes Clean
It’s really easy for dirt to build up in the strikes of your doors, but it can be a big problem. Dirt in any strike can cause the door not to latch properly and this can lead to cold air seeping into your facility. This can wreak havoc on your heating bill in the winter.
Keep a monthly schedule and set up monthly reminders to check your strikes. This will give you a chance to go in and brush out any dirt and debris that might have a chance to build up in the meantime.
Hardware Resolution #2: Keep Your Hinges Oiled
It’s such a simple task, but many of us don’t even think about our hinges until they start to make that terrible, rusty screeching sound. Let’s do better and create this hardware resolution for 2016.
Let’s keep our hinges consistently lubricated with WD-40 and this will greatly reduce any damage done to your doors ahead of time. How great does that sound? Not only will you get to avoid annoying sounds caused by squeaky hinges, you’ll get to keep some extra cash in your pocket while you’re at it. Score.
Hardware Resolution #3: Tighten Up Any Loose Screws
We don’t mean the figurative screws either. Loose screws can lead to a myriad of problems such as dragging doors and sagging leversets, but most of them can be easily prevented if you just check on your screws every once in awhile. Loose screws can happen over time if the screw becomes stripped and it can slip out due to the weight bearing down on it.
Similar to the way you can keep your strikes clean, keep a schedule to check on the screws in your door hardware. Set reminders to check on them, but you won’t need to do it nearly as often as you check your strikes. Just take a glance at them every three months. If they look noticeably loose, tighten them up, otherwise, leave them alone and you’ll be good to go.
See? That wasn’t so bad, was it? Those are three easy resolutions you can keep for 2016! In the meantime, I’m going to go buy a new pack of gum. Happy New Year!