Tackling Common HDB Service Yard Door Problems

For most homeowners, trying to fix commonplace HDB service yard door problems like a squeaky hinge or stiff doors would be pretty annoying.

These deficiencies in the doors are quite common as a result of the age of the materials in use or the weather elements when viewed on a professional level; the good news is that most of them can be fixed. Such common problems will be addressed in the coming sections to ensure efficiency. Expert door repair services in Hougang can be found at https://www.locksmithsingapore.net/hougang/ 

Squeaky Hinges 

One of the problems which are common and perhaps the most irritating with the service yard doors is the noise from the hinges. This noise is very irritating and more annoying when one is hanging clothes so early in the morning or very late at night. For more info visit at https://www.locksmithsingapore.net/ .For the sake of this: 

• Use a damp rag and clean the hinges to get rid of dirt. 

• Get hinge pins and spray WD40 or silicone on them. 

• Move the door back and forth quite a number of times to ensure that the oil is evenly spread all over the door. 

• Soak any residual oil with a rag on cleaning the door. 

Sticky Lock 

Dealing with a sticky lock can be quite annoying, and may, in extreme cases, cause you to get locked out of your service yard. Here’s how to tackle this issue: 

• Use a soft brush or blow dry to the moist crack to remove debris. 

• Use some powder lubricant instead of oil especially graphite based lubes, and apply it in the keyhole. 

• Once the key is rotated, insert it again and repeat the process a few times to spread the lubricant around. 

As a last resort, you may also wish to undertake the disassembly of the lock for cleaning. 

Misaligned Door 

As time continues to elapse, service yard door may become warped and misaligned, hence, making the door stick or refusing to close properly. To properly realign the door: 

• Open the door and check for loose screws on the hinges. 

• Take note of where the edge of the door is rubbing or sticking. 

• If the latch does not, then adjust the striker plate which is located on the door frame. 

If the alignment problem is at a more serious stage, the door may have to be removed, and the thick edges that are protruding, planed off. 

Weather-stripping Woes 

Drafts, water leaks, and other intrusions by the outside elements, such as pests, can occur due to damaged or old weather-stripping. When the time comes to do this, here’s how to replace it: 

• Remove the old weather-stripping, cleaning off any residue. 

• Using a tape measure, measure the length of the door frame so that you know how much new weather-stripping you ought to order. 

• Cut the new weather-stripping to size, but oversize a little bit. 

• Apply new weather-stripping making sure it is placed in the door frame in such a way that it fits all sides uniformly. 

Rusty Hardware 

As rust on door hardware is often a problem in rust famine countries like Singapore due to the hot climatic conditions. So to reverse the effect: 

• Using a wire brush or sandpaper, scrub those metal parts that have rust stains. 

• De-grease the surface thoroughly with a degreaser or rubbing alcohol. 

• On areas showing visible rust, apply a rust converter. 

Allow to dry, and then paint using rust-resistant paint or replace the affected parts of the hardware if corroded for too long. 

Final Thoughts 

Dealing with typical HDB service yard door issues does not have to be an overwhelming task. Proper maintenance and repair of the HDB service yard door will spare you larger problems later on. Be it a creaking door, a crooked frame or a stuck door, it will get too much of a headache if all these are left unattended. If, on the other hand, the problems are more advanced or any self-administered remedies do not give results, visit an expert.

Photo credit: HWM.