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One More Convenience for Doors

  • , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke

What is a spring hinge?  It’s a way to let a hinge do the work of closing the doors. 

When I bought my home, I noticed that the front door had a spring hinge installed. I love it – it’s so convenient.   What is a spring hinge?  It’s a way to let a hinge do the work of closing the doors.  So, when I walk out the front door walking Lil Max, I have my hands full.  I have Max’s leash, my iPad to read while we walk and then poop bags because Max and I are good neighbors.  And then I had a piece of furniture delivered and ...BAM ...they broke the hinge.  At first, I thought I really did not have to have a spring hinge, but by the 3rd time I banged my door into the wall, I was looking down the National Hardware aisle in my store for a new hinge.

 When you decide to replace the hinge, take a look at the existing hinge.  Is it a 3.5 or a 4-inch hinge?  Does it have round edges, or square?  And of course, the finish.  That’s all the info you need to know.  You want to look for a “spring hinge”.  National makes several and the one I put on my door was N184556.  Retails for around $18, and it’s easy to install.  I only used 1 hinge for my front door.  My front door is solid and so it’s real heavy.  I knew if I replaced any hinge but the center, I would have to have help.  So, I took a chance and so far, I have been satisfied.  Prop your door open ...and then start removing the screws to the hinge.  I did the door side first.  After removing the screws, take a look at the hinge space.  Did all the screws seem tight when you were removing them?  If not, go back and read last week’s article on securing screws. HA! Mine were all ok.  I placed the new hinge in place making sure the adjustment part of the hinge was facing up.   All the screws lined up and I didn’t have to re-drill anything. 

 Close the door.  And you will be looking at the barrel part of the hinge.  The top of it will have an opening that the included allen wrench will fit in.  Now this is really important.  This National hinge I am telling you about doesn’t require “pins” placed in it to make it work.  I think those are a pain, and I would probably drop them a dozen times before I ever got them in place.  So, this hinge will have some tension on it before you ever have to adjust it.  In fact, I didn’t have to make any adjustment.  The hinge closed this door just the way I wanted it too.  And when someone comes in my front door, the door doesn’t swing too wide and cause damage on the wall.   

 This is an easy fix and it is such a convenience.  I know you can do it.  If you have any questions, well just give me a call and I can talk you through it.  Also check out our web site at happyhandyman.com.

                                                                        TIP

Do you need a rubber mallet, but don’t want to invest in one?  Take your regular hammer and put a cane rubber tip on the head of the hammer.   Now you have a mini rubber mallet!

 Now to the email….

 Question:  I have a kitty that has pulled up some of the carpet fibers by the front door.  How can I fix the carpet? 

Answer:  The best thing to do is to install a door threshold that can cover up the bare carpet area.  Good Luck!

 

Question:  I want to clean off the hard water stain from my windows.  What can I hook up to my hose that would clean and rinse at the same time?

Answer:  Hard water stains don’t just rinse off.  They have to be scrubbed off.  Use Delete Germ and a Scotchbrite scrubby sponge.  Remember to clean and rinse immediately.  The directions are on our website ….www.happyhandyman.com.  Or just call the store.

 

Question:  There are stains around my toilet in the grout and regular cleaning does not remove them.  Grandsons that have missed the mark!  HA!

Answer:  Zep Grout Brightener will take care of that.   If you have colored grout, it won’t discolor your grout. 

 


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