Below are some general maintenance tips for Therma-Tru®. There are several items to make sure that your door is properly maintained. They include:
To ensure that your door is maintaining a tight seal, check your weather strip, corner seal pads, and door bottom sweep.
Check WeatherstripTo be sure the weather strip is sealing properly, check for damage or paint on the weather strip. Also, the weather strip should not be punched or overlap in the corners of the unit. Close the door and check for air infiltration and daylight around the door. If needed, replace the weather strip.
Check Corner Seal PadsFor in-swing units, locate the corner seal pads at the seal jam joint. To ensure a proper seal, make sure the pad is in good condition and is installed properly. This includes a bead of caulk at the base of the pad. Also be sure the tab is tucked behind the weather strip. Replace and recaulk if necessary.
Check Door Bottom SweepAgain, for in-swing units, check to be sure the door bottom sweep is not loose or damaged and that it is maintaining a tight seal with a threshold. Replace if necessary.
Check For Wood DeteriorationWith the door open, inspect both bottom corners of the door and the jam for discoloration, softness or wood deterioration. If needed, sand the affected areas. Clean and fill with hardening wood putty following the products instructions. Finally, prime and paint or stain.
Check Hinge FinishWith the door open, inspect the hinges for excessive rust, pitting, or corrosion. If needed, replace the hinges.
Check CaulkEnsure that all joints are properly caulked and the sealant is in good condition, especially around the base of the unit. If needed, clean and reapply elastomeric or polyurethane sealant.
Clean The UnitInspect the unit for dirt or debris.If needed, use a mild detergent or tsp solution with warm water and a soft cloth to clean the door.
Check The Top CoatFor a stained unit, inspect the door to see if the top coat has dulled, or is rough to the touch. Reapply the top coat if needed.
Check The StainInspect the stained unit for fading, flacking, peeling, or blistering of the stain. If the color of the unit is not uniform, you may need to strip and refinish the unit. For small areas, simply touch-up the stain and topcoat.
Check The PaintFor painted units, inspect for fading, cracking, peeling or bubbling paint. If needed, lightly sand with triple ott steel wood, or 300 grit sandpaper. Wipe clean and reapply the paint.
If after inspecting your exterior door you decide it time for a replacement, visit your local Von Tobel showroom. Our friendly exterior door experts are available to walk you through the options for new exterior doors.
Learn more about some of the exterior doors that we carry here: https://vontobels.com/thermatru-exterior-doors/
You can also schedule a consultation ahead of time, click here: https://vontobels.com/schedule-a-free-in-store-consultation/
