When you have invested time and money into installing new ironmongery for your internal doors and cupboards, the very least you expect is that they perform their function long term, but also that they retain their appearance. The aesthetic appeal of ironmongery is a very important factor when you consider how many door handles you may have in a property, so it is essential that you look after these items, and that means understanding your care and maintenance responsibilities.
Regardless of whether we are talking about lever handles, pull handles or escutcheons and turns, you don’t want to be replacing these items regularly, from a time, money and environmental point of view, and you really shouldn’t have to. The architectural ironmongery range supplied by EM-B is designed to be durable and long-lasting, but in areas of high traffic, there are examples of care and maintenance being required.
It is possible that some ironmongery products may fail mechanically, but that is very rare. However, maintenance is mainly required to retain appearance and to ensure the aesthetic appeal is consistent. So here is what we recommend you do:
- Think about the finish
You can dust all ironmongery items and also clean them with a soft cloth. However, the material you would use to clean a door handle, for example, will differ according to the material finish. A brass finish will require a specific cleaner that is brass-safe, while anything chrome or stainless steel can be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth and some mild soap. An iron finish should be lightly dusted, and you can apply a protective wax to prevent rust.
- What to avoid
When cleaning, you should avoid abrasive materials such as chemical cleaners and acidic substances. You should also avoid using wire wool. Where there is an accumulation of deposits, a PH-neutral soap should be sufficient, without damaging the finish.
- Periodical oiling
Any moving parts should be oiled or lubricated periodically, such as hinges and handles. This ensures they are free and loose and won’t start to stick and damage the door.
- Check connections
Inspect the component for any loose connections, such as screws on a mounting plate. These can work loose purely through constant use, and don’t necessarily point to a problem, but if left they can start to damage a product if it is being used without being properly secured.
- Inspect for damage
Sometimes a handle can become damaged from impact you haven’t noticed, and if left this can start to affect the performance of the item. So inspect the item closely when you clean it, for example, and this should identify any problems.
- No mis-use
At the end of the day, ironmongery is used for one specific purpose, but we can mis-use these by applying too much force, or by incorrectly installing the item in the first place. So if an ironmongery item is being mis-used, it is not being used for its design purpose and hence can become damaged. Try to avoid this and the product should maintain its functionality and appearance long term.
Check out our range of architectural ironmongery from EM-B and order online today.
