To get your interior door to stay open, a common and effective quick fix involves slightly bending one of its hinge pins. This creates the necessary friction to prevent the door from swinging freely, allowing it to remain in your desired position.
Why Your Door Won't Stay Open
Often, a door that won't stay open (or conversely, won't stay closed) is due to a slight imbalance or lack of resistance in its hinges. Over time, hinges can loosen, or the door frame itself might settle, leading to this common household nuisance. The goal is to introduce just enough friction to hold the door steady.
The Hinge Pin Method: A Quick Fix
The reference highlights a practical solution: creating a subtle bend in one of your door's hinge pins. This bend, when the pin is reinstalled, causes a slight resistance against the hinge barrel, helping the door stay put.
Tools You'll Need
- Hammer: For striking the hinge pin.
- Hinge Pin: The removable pin from one of your door hinges.
Step-by-Step Guide to Bending a Hinge Pin
Follow these steps carefully to adjust your door's hinge:
- Identify and Remove a Hinge Pin: Choose one of the door's hinge pins. Typically, the middle hinge pin is a good candidate, but any pin will work. Use a screwdriver and hammer to tap the pin up from the bottom of the hinge, then pull it out completely.
- Prepare the Pin for Bending: Place the removed hinge pin on a sturdy, flat surface, such as a concrete floor, a solid workbench, or even a piece of scrap wood to protect your surface.
- Strike the Pin: As shown in the video reference, "Now with your hammer. Get the pin a good solid strike right in the center." The aim is to create a very slight, almost imperceptible, bend in the middle of the pin. The key is to start with a gentle strike and increase force only if necessary.
- Inspect the Bend: Carefully examine the pin. You're looking for a minimal curve, not a sharp angle. A small bend is usually sufficient to create the desired friction.
- Reinstall the Pin: Insert the slightly bent pin back into its hinge. Align it carefully and tap it down with your hammer until it's fully seated.
- Test the Door: Open your door to the desired position and release it. Does it stay? If it still drifts open or closed, you may need to remove the pin again and apply a slightly stronger strike to increase the bend, or try the method on another hinge pin.
Why This Works
The "bend in the center of the pin" creates an offset. When the pin is reinstalled, this offset causes it to rub against the inside of the hinge barrels, generating friction. This friction acts as a brake, preventing the door from swinging freely and allowing it to remain stationary. It's a simple mechanical principle that leverages resistance to achieve the desired outcome.
Remember to make small adjustments and test frequently. A little bend goes a long way in solving this common door problem.
