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Ask the Experts

This is a full archive of our Ask the Experts articles. Enjoy! If you have any questions you’d like to ask our security screen door and window guard experts, please contact us and email us at experts@ecoadvantage.info.

Steel Advantage Security Doors, Gates, and Patio was established in 2009 and quickly filled the void for high-quality, value-driven, steel products for the Phoenix or Mesa, AZ home. Our staff has over 80 years experience serving the valley with Sales, Manufacturing, Installation and Service.

Get the best value by making sure you know everything about what is included, and what is NOT! Look for:

  • Mitered Corners to prevent rusting,
  • Screens that meet your needs:
  1. maximum visibility and airflow; or
  2. sun protection; or
  3. perforated metal for pets & small children.
  • Guarantees and Warranties,
  • Powder Coating for durability,
  • Closers, Wind Chains, Sills and Threshold extensions,
  • Felt weather Strips and Dual rubber sweeps,
The best way to clean the door is with a mild cleaner like Windex. Spray it on and wipe it down completely. To clean the screens use a soft brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner or use a damp cloth and clean both sides. Hosing down, or spraying the door or screens with water is not recommended. If you use a water hose be sure the pressure is VERY light, and completely wipe off the excess water. High pressure can push the screens out of the rubber spline that holds them taut in their frames. Water creates rust, and rust is the enemy of a steel door.
If your door lock was re-keyed at the time of installation to match your interior door lock then the key that you provided to the technician is the key that should work. All other keys will only work if they were properly copied from the original key. You may have to return to your key maker and have the other keys re-done. Our technicians are not locksmiths and cannot make extra keys.
Check to make sure the ‘snub nose’ that is used to hold the door open, has been moved back to its proper position for closing the door. If left out of position even slightly, it will keep the door from closing properly and require you to pull the door closed. This creates a pressure on the door lock against the door jamb, as the door tries to open. If the ‘snub nose’ is not the problem, then simply lubricate the lock (or handle lever) with WD40 and wipe off the excess. Sometimes, spraying your key and inserting it into the lock several times will also lubricate the interior mechanism.
The only part on the door that may squeak is the hinge(s). Spray lightly with WD40 lubricant, and open and close the door a few times to allow it to penetrate the hinges. Wipe off any excess.
Check to make sure the ‘snub nose’ that is used to hold the door open, has been moved back to its proper position for closing the door. If all is well, try lubricating the closer by spraying a small amount of WD40 on the pole. If still doesn’t function right it may need to be replaced. We can mail a new one to you for EASY self-replacement at no cost, (see video here) or we can send a technician out to replace it for a service charge fee of $45.00.
The closer contains a lubricant that can thin out in summer, and thicken in winter, so periodically the closer will need an adjustment to either close at a slower rate to avoid slamming, or a faster rate to make sure the door closes fully and can latch. To adjust the door closer, find the small screw in the end of the closer (closest to the door handle) and turn the screw left for slower operation, and right for faster operation. You can see how to do the adjustment in our video to replace the door closer (see video here).

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