5 Maintenance Jobs Most People Forget About

Maintenance is often completed only after something starts squeaking, sticking or refusing to move.

However, cleaning and lubricating commonly overlooked components can help keep them operating smoothly while giving you an opportunity to identify wear or corrosion.

Here are five forgotten maintenance jobs to add to your home, garage and equipment maintenance routine.

1. Cleaning Window Runners and Tracks

Windows are opened and closed repeatedly, but their tracks and runners are rarely inspected.

Over time, they can collect:

• Dust

• Insects

• Moisture

• Outdoor contamination

• Small stones

• Grit

• Old lubricant

This build-up can make a window feel stiff and place additional strain on its handle or opening mechanism.

Vacuum or brush away loose dirt before cleaning the track according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Where approved, Rocket TT Silicone Spray may help compatible plastic, rubber and metal runners move more smoothly.

Use a controlled amount, as excess product can attract further contamination.

2. Maintaining Bonnet and Boot Latches

Vehicle latches must operate reliably, but they are often ignored during routine cleaning.

Bonnet and boot mechanisms can collect water, road dirt and contaminated grease.

Inspect the latch for:

• Stiff movement

• Surface corrosion

• Loose fixings

• Dirt

• Old grease

• Difficulty securing correctly

Clean the mechanical movement points before applying a suitable Rocket TT lubricant.

Do not continue using a bonnet latch that fails to secure correctly. Have damaged saf6ety-critical mechanisms repaired professionally.

3. Cleaning Toolbox Drawer Runners

Toolbox drawers can collect metal dust, debris and old lubricant.

This contamination may cause the runners to feel rough, noisy or difficult to move.

Where practical:

1. Empty the drawer.

2. Remove loose debris.

3. Clean the runners.

4. Inspect the mechanism.

5. Apply a suitable lubricant or grease.

6. Move the drawer several times.

7. Remove excess product.

Avoid applying large amounts of grease. Exposed grease may collect metal particles and create an abrasive mixture.

4. Lubricating Compatible Exercise Equipment

Home gym equipment contains pivots, runners, cables, pins and adjustment mechanisms that may require maintenance.

Treadmills can also require silicone lubrication between the running belt and deck.

Before applying lubricant:

• Read the equipment manual

• Switch off and unplug powered equipment

• Identify the correct application point

• Check the recommended lubricant

• Inspect the equipment for damage

• Follow the maintenance schedule

Rocket TT Treadmill Silicone Lube is designed for compatible treadmills and suitable exercise equipment requiring silicone lubrication.

Never apply lubricant to walking surfaces, pedals, handles or drive belts.

5. Inspecting Outdoor Locks and Padlocks

Outdoor locks are exposed to rain, dirt, moisture and temperature changes.

A neglected shed, garage or gate lock may become stiff when it is needed most.

Inspect outdoor locks for:

• Difficult key movement

• Dirt

• Light corrosion

• Loose fittings

• Damaged keys

• Water exposure

• Restricted latch movement

Remove loose contamination and apply a suitable lubricant in a controlled amount.

Do not completely fill a lock barrel with thick grease, as it may trap grit inside the mechanism.

Bonus Maintenance Job: Garden Tool Pivot Points

Secateurs, shears and loppers regularly come into contact with sap, soil and moisture.

After using garden tools:

1. Remove plant material.

2. Clean the blades.

3. Dry the tool completely.

4. Inspect the pivot and fixing.

5. Apply a suitable Rocket TT lubricant.

6. Open and close the tool.

7. Wipe away the excess.

8. Store it somewhere dry.

This can help reduce stiffness while protecting suitable metal movement points.

Create a Seasonal Maintenance Schedule

You do not need to inspect every component each week.

A simple schedule might include:

Spring

• Window tracks

• Garden tools

• Patio door runners

• Outdoor equipment

Summer

• Bicycle components

• Garden machinery

• Garage doors

• Frequently used tools

Autumn

• Vehicle latches

• Outdoor locks

• Shed mechanisms

• Rubber seals

Winter

• Home gym equipment

• Workshop tools

• Electrical connections

• Indoor hinges and runners

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should moving parts be lubricated?

The correct interval depends on the equipment, amount of use, operating environment and manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

Should you lubricate a component every time it squeaks?

Not automatically. A squeak may be caused by dirt, loose fixings, damage, misalignment or wear. Inspect the component first.

Do Not Wait for Something to Break

Preventative maintenance helps you identify contamination, corrosion and stiffness before a component stops working correctly.

Rocket TT products can help maintain suitable window runners, vehicle latches, toolbox drawers, fitness equipment, outdoor locks and garden tools.

Clean each component first, use the correct product and apply only the amount required.