Make Your Doors Last Forever With This Easy Door Maintenance Checklist

While most of us don't exactly think of a door as a high-maintenance item, it's still important to give the doors in our homes a little attention. The good news is that spending just a few minutes per month on our doors can help prevent expensive or time-consuming fixes down the road. Keep your doors swinging with ease with this essential door maintenance checklist.

Weekly Door Maintenance Checklist

As you go around your house vacuuming, dusting, and doing other weekly chores, pepper in these essential door tasks:

• Dust door frames with a feather duster or microfiber towel. If you're already vacuuming baseboards, you can also vacuum around the frame.

• For exterior doors, dust and vacuum any dirt or debris from inside the door frame.

• Clear debris from the tracks of sliding doors.

• Clean any glass panes within the door with a gentle, streak-free glass cleaner to keep visibility clear.

Monthly Door Maintenance Checklist

Reserve these more intensive tasks for a once-a-month cleaning spree:

• Wash door hardware according to the hardware material and manufacturer's directions. For example, most common stainless-steel door handles and hardware can be washed using a warm cloth that's been dipped in a mixture of warm water and mild soap. Harsh cleaners that can strip metals should generally be avoided.

• Give screen doors the deep-cleaning treatment by vacuuming off debris, gently scrubbing with a mix of warm water and dish soap, and rinsing with water.

Seasonal Door Maintenance Checklist

Give each door a thorough inspection about once every four to eight months. Here's what to include:

• If daylight is visible around a door frame when you're standing inside your home, it's time to replace worn weatherstripping to help insulate the door.

• Check that an exterior door's threshold is secure and intact to prevent drafts and water entry.

• Look for any scratches or nicks that need to be repaired. This could also be an opportunity to learn how to get paint off hinges left over from DIY door repainting.

• Check for squeaking hinges that need to be lubricated.

• Tighten any loose handles or hardware.

• As part of essential door lock maintenance, use graphite powder to keep keyhole locks lubricated to prevent sticking that could leave you locked out in the future.

• If a door is fairly new, look for signs of any door installation problems that might include a crooked door, a door that's sticking, or a door that opens on its own. Contact a door repair company near you right away if it appears that a door isn't securely attached to its frame or hinges.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Door Repair Expert?

If your maintenance check reveals an issue with your door that requires a repair, expect door repair cost to land between $131 and $372 for most common problems. On average, the cost to repair holes, dents, and dings is around $15 to $100. A sagging or sticking door may cost closer to $25 to $150 to repair. If you need more extensive glass repairs or door frame repairs, costs can range from $200 to $800.