ATS Home Inspections is here to serve you in making sure your home stays one of your most valuable assets. The best way we know to help you with that is to pass along some simple maintenance tips that most people don’t know that could save you thousands of dollars whether you are in Glendale AZ, Phoenix or any other city in Maricopa county.
Door Problems
Functional problems with doors include damage to the door material (rotted wood, buckled metal, etc.). Door hinges which are damaged or poorly secured make doors difficult to open and close and, if not corrected, will lead to damage of the door and frame. Latching mechanisms which do not work properly impair security. If the door is not properly weather-stripped, unnecessary cooling loss is experienced. Frames which are damaged or out of square result in heat loss, and doors which may be hard to open and close. Door thresholds which are loose or damaged are unsafe and should be repaired or replaced as necessary.
Sliding glass doors often suffer hardware damage or the track becomes dirty and the doors will not operate easily. On older metal sash sliding doors, the damage to the building interior at floor level can be significant, as a result of condensation and ice build up in areas such as Northern Arizona. The preferred solution is, of course to replace the sliding door system. Typically on these older systems, the hardware is not in good shape in any case.
Damage to the frame is common on sliding doors. This is often caused by excessive force used in opening and closing the door, often necessitated by damaged or poorly adjusted hardware, or a dirty track. Where the guides or rollers have been mechanically damaged, the door will not ride freely.
Ideally, all doors should have at least a six inch step up from the outdoors to the door sill. This is often omitted on sliding doors leading onto a deck, for example. Where this step is not present, rain accumulation on the exterior can leak through the bottom of the door system readily. Where no six inch step-up is noted, good inspection practices and regular maintenance.
The loss of a seal between double glazed panes on a sliding door is common. This results in a clouding of the glass which may be permanent. Because of the large panes of glass usually involved, this is a relatively expensive problem. Replacement is not a high priority as only a very small loss in energy efficiency is suffered. Replacement is usually undertaken because of the unsightly appearance of the clouded glass. Some door sashes are arranged so that they can be dismantled. Others are manufactured in such a way that this cannot be done. Replacement is, of course, more expensive in the latter case.
Here are some quick tips to reduce your energy cost during the extreme summer desert heat here in Phoenix,Glendale, and surrounding cities in Maricopa county.
Exterior Solar Screens are exterior mounted window screens that shade your window and glass area. Because your window glass conducts heat similar to a magnifying glass. These solar shades block the sun rays before it contacts the glass surface.
Window UV film reduces glare, provides daytime privacy and lowers indoor temperatures without air conditioning.
Shutters, blinds curtains, are available in so many fabrics and styles, curtains and blinds can really add personality to your home while increasing Energy Efficiency.
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Free 120 Day Warranty - Sellers
Free Recall Chek
$50 Dollars off on any regular priced ATS Home Inspection
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