Door Maintenance

Ball Catches

Most of the utility doors (closets, etc.) in your home use ball catches installed at the top of the door rather than traditional door knobs with latches. Doors with ball-catches can simply be pushed open or closed.

• You may have noticed that your doors with ball catches have become harder to close over time. A little silicone lubricant applied to the ball mechanism will make them open and close effortlessly. Using a step ladder, locate the ball catch at the top of the door and press the ball bearing down as you apply the silicone.
  
  HINT: Go outside and spray some silicone lubricant into a plastic cup (silicone spray smells).  Apply the silicone with a small brush.
  
• On the other hand, you may have noticed that your doors with ball catches don't catch securely any more. That's because the adjustable threaded barrel that holds the ball in place has receded into the door. The barrel can be raised by hand by turning the ball and barrel assembly counter-clockwise.