Q–My house is only a couple of years old and there is a dead bolt lock installed on the front door. This always closed easily and locked firmly when the latch or key was turned, but for the last few months this dead bolt has become very difficult to close. In fact, my young daughter can’t seem to lock it.
When the door is open, the key turns easily and the bolt comes out, but when the door is fully closed the end of the bolt doesn’t want to slide into its opening in the strike plate that is mounted on the door frame.
Apparently the end of the dead bolt no longer lines up with this opening, but I don’t know which way to move the strike plate, or whether the opening simply has to be enlarged a bit. Can you tell me how to do this without calling in a professional?
A–First check all the hinge screws on the door to make sure none has worked loose. If any are loose, the hinges may have allowed the door to sag and this could cause the dead bolt to be slightly out of alignment with its strike plate.
If this is not the problem, you can check the alignment in this manner: Open the door and turn the dead bolt latch or key. Then mark the projecting end of the dead bolt by smearing a little wet paint on it. Retract the dead bolt and close the door.
Now turn the dead bolt latch again until it hits the strike plate. Retract the dead bolt once more, swing the door open, then look at the strike plate. You will see where the paint mark is and thus will know where the opening has to be enlarged.
Take off the plate, lock it in a vise, and use a file to remove the required amount of the opening for the latch to properly fit.
Q–Our 50-year-old house has tongue-and-groove wood paneling in the living room that is dirty- and dull-looking. How can we clean this wood and preserve it?
A–The most effective way to clean old paneling is to dust thoroughly, then wipe down with a rag moistened with paint thinner or other cleaning fluid (many of these solvents are flammable and have an odor, so make sure there is plenty of ventilation and take all proper precautions).
Preserving the finish is a matter of determining what type of finish was originally applied. If it was a wax-type finish, then simply applying a fresh coat of wax may be all that is required.
However, if you are not sure, and if the varnish or shellac is quite dull, then your best bet may be to apply one or two coats of a wood sealer such as Minwax Tung Oil or Antique Oil Finish. I would suggest you experiment on an inconspicuous corner first.
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Have a question about home repair problems? Write to Bernard Gladstone in care of Your Place, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Questions of general interest will be answered in future columns. Sorry, letters cannot be answered personally.
