Doors and Locks

Smart Locks

Smart locks are getting very popular. It is a quick and easy way to make your home smarter, and they give you more opportunities. There are many different types of smart locks. They all come with different functions. When you are trying to decide on a smart lock, it is important to consider all of the different functions and which ones you’ll need. Here is a list of some of the important functions to look for and consider:

• iOS and Android Compatibility. If you want to be able to control the lock from your phone, it is important to look at which phones the lock supports. Also consider how the apps works on iOS and Android.

• Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some smart locks come with Wi-Fi connection, and other comes with Bluetooth. We always recommend getting a Wi-Fi smart lock, so that you can control it from anywhere. If it is a Bluetooth smart lock, you will need to be within 30-100ft to be able to control it.

• Fingerprint or Code. One of the cool things about smart locks is that you do not need to worry about having a key with you. You can just your fingerprint or a code. When you are shopping for smart locks, you need to decide if having a code is enough, or if you want to have the fingerprint option too. We recommend always having a smart lock with a code, since that gives you the option of giving the code to anyone who needs to access your house when you are not there.

• “Google Home” or “Alexa”. Not all smart locks can be integrated with “Google Home” or “Alexa”. So if that is a device you have in your house, and want your lock to work with, it will be important to find a lock with this function.

• Z-Wave Technology. A lot of new smart devices such as: switches, light bulbs, and outlets come with the new communication technology called Z-Wave. If you have other smart devices, or are planning on getting smart devices, we recommend looking into this. Also, make sure that all of your devices are communicating over the same technology.

Smart locks can be installed instead of a normal dead bolt, or you can replace your door handle and lock with a smart one. The most smart locks come fitted to the normal size locks and can, therefore, be installed without a lot of modifications. If you need recommendations or help with installing a new smart lock, feel free to reach out to us at Arvada Handyman for a quote.

Doors

One of the most annoying things is a squeaky door. If a door starts to squeak, it often means that the hinges have come out of alignment. We often see this being repaired by greasing up the hinges, which will help them not squeak for approximately 2 to 4 weeks. If they are not repaired properly, the squeak will come back. When Arvada Handyman comes out to repair a squeaking door, we always take our time to find the root of the issue and address it properly, making sure the repair will last a long time. This often includes taking out hinges and realigning them and sometimes even replacing the hinges. We also make sure to clean and grease the hinges properly at the end. This protects the hinges from wearing out.

Over time, doors can begin to sag a bit. As this happens, they become harder to close and get a bit sticky to open. This is simply because of the hinges slowly bending, which makes the door not align with the door frame. This can be adjusted by bending the door hinges back in place, and sometimes shims are needed to align the door perfectly. Here at Arvada Handyman, we have all of the tools and knowledge to get your doors aligned correctly so that they can open and close smoothly again, squeak free!

Another issues that comes up from time to time is a door not latching or not staying closed. This is almost always a question of getting the latch plate adjusted correctly to the door. There are a couple of different ways to make this adjustment, and all it takes is a small inspection to find out where the actual problem is. We are committed to fixing the problem for you.

Locks and Handles

All doors have at least a handle on them, and many also have a lock. This means that you have a lot of door handles and locks in your home. These can become loose or even break. Arvada Handyman works on all types of handles and locks, no matter if they need to get tighten up, repaired, or replaced. Let us know which locks and handles in your home we need to come and take a look at.

We also install handles and hardware on any type of dresser or cabinet, so if you need new handles and hardware, or just want to get your old ones replaced, we can help with that! We have a special tool to align the handles and hardware with so that we can make sure all of the handles or hardware is installed straight and even.

Weather Strip

A weather strip is an important part of having a properly insulated house. A door without a weather strip will not insulate very well. All of the cold or hot air will still creep in because a door without a weather strip will not seal very well. It is, therefore, important to check your weather strips at least once a year for any rips or tears, and making sure that it is still a soft material. If a weather strip becomes hard, it will not seal anymore, and it is times to replace it. There are a couple of different types of weather strips out there, and it is always important to have the right one. It needs to be the right width, fitting your door to help with the drafts blowing through your house.