How to
inspect and
maintain a wood door
At least every 6 months you
should take the time to inspect your doors and windows from the outside of
your home. We consider washing and waxing our car a standard part of
automobile ownership. But nothing receives more abuse than your doors and
windows. After all, many people trade their automobile every 18 to 36
months, but they may plan on living in their home for 15 to 20 years. Why
would you assume the exterior of your home requires no attention?
Cleaning your windows and doors exterior is every bit as easy as washing
your car, assuming you do not always just take your car through a car wash
(if you need tips on washing your car, we can give you those as well.)
Just like a car, get a bucket and clean water. Using an automobile or car
wash detergent, follow the directions as though you are washing a big car.
A truck brush is handy because it has a telescoping handle and soft
synthetic bristles. Washing your window or door one by one, just as a car,
hose the window or door down with a garden hose. Do not use a pressure
washer as this can damage finishes and other parts of your home. Do not
worry if a bit of water leaks in your window or door. Why, because this is
as good test to find out if you have a cavity in your window or door.
Anywhere water is leaking, more air is leaking and, you can address those
leaks to better prepare your home for harsh weather.
After fully rinsing your door or
window, give it a good cleaning with a sponge or truck brush and
immediately rinse the soap away. ***This is the important part of
examining the finish of your wood door. When rinsing the door, the water
should bead and run quickly down the door, leaving a dry finish above
the water beads. If the water drags down the door and just hangs onto
the wood, your finish has ultra violet damage and needs a new top coat.
If you see blackened areas in the wood, typically at the bottom of the
door, you have likely let your finish go too long. Regardless, if your
finish shows wear, lightly sand and apply a new top coat to your door. The tips above apply to a
painted door as well.
Drying your windows and doors will minimize spotting. You can use a soft
dry terry cloth bath towel our favorite method is to get out your leaf
blower and blow dry each door and window after you wash the opening. Blow
drying forces water, gook and hiding bugs out of the crevices and , this
procedure assists you in looking for areas of disrepair that might require
maintenance.
If you have aluminum clad exterior windows like most upper end homes do
today, you can also treat those windows as you would your car when it gets
a dull finish. Use a high quality polish which will bring your aluminum
back to life (if you have Andersen or other vinyl windows, oh well.) Never
use a rubbing compound or abrasive car wax because these compounds will
remove finish from your aluminum cladding advancing the aging of your
finish instead of helping the finish.
Do not be afraid to clean your home’s exterior, do not be afraid of
getting a little water in your home when washing, after all , you want to
know where your home’s weaknesses are so that you can repair them. Too
many people today go to sell their home, and through the findings of a
buyer’s home inspector, discover they have many issues to repair which can
not only be costly, but can possibly deter a prospective home buyer. Be a
good detective! Know your home’s weaknesses and correct them.
A clean home is a happy home!
Exterior wood door finishing
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