Aluminium, stainless steel or brass hinges are generally corrosion-resistant, but mild steel hinges can corrode over time, particularly if they are fitted to doors in areas close to the coast.
When steel hinges corrode and rust, they can become extremely stiff, or break. This is because when they become stiff thanks to rust, as the door is opened and closed the hinge flaps tend to flex, and just as happens if you bend a piece of wire back and forth a few times, eventually the flap can break and the hinge will fail.
That can be a hazard – there’s nothing like a heavy door falling on you to ruin your day. Not only that, if it falls off, the hinge that has not failed can pull out, severely damaging the door or the door jamb – or both.
In addition, prior to that, because the hinge flaps are flexing, the door is not held properly in the door jamb and can stick and be difficult to open or close without shoving it hard or slamming it.
So let’s replace the hinges before any of that happens…
The first step is to check the existing hinges and then go to your local Mica and buy a replacement set of exactly the same type and size. The ones in question here are 100mm mild steel flush hinges. If necessary take a picture of one of the hinges with a tape measure held next to it… your Mica shop assistant will know exactly what hinges you need as replacements.
In passing, naturally, if you need to replace any window hinges, follow the same procedure as provide here.
1.The existing hinges… rusted, virtually immovable and ripe for replacement.
2.The first step is to prop up the door so that when the top hinge is removed, the door doesn’t move. A small block of wood under the door supports it…
3.And the door hook completes the securing of the door. If you cannot support or brace the door, then have someone to hold the door steady for you.
4.Here is one of the old hinges with the new replacement.
5.With the door braced in position, or held by an assistant, remove the old hinge screws on the bottom hinge so that just one screw secures each flap. Then repeat at the top, but remove all the screws and remove the old hinge. We then sprayed the hinge site very liberally with a protective wax.
6.Then we secured the top hinge. If the screws supplied with the new hinge are at all loose, then replace them with screws of a larger gauge and/or greater length. Then completely remove the bottom hinge, spray its site with protective wax and secure it as you did the top one.
7.We then sprayed the exposed surfaces of both hinges to protect them against any rust or corrosion. Then we removed the supporting block from under the door and the job is done.
Hint:
If, before installing them, you place both of the new hinges in a plastic bag or shallow tray and squirt oil liberally over them, you will ensure that they will be very well lubricated before installation.
Mica is one of the largest hardware groups in Africa with over 160 stores nationwide and growing. Mica is member owned and managed by a small team of retailers who are passionate about the success of members in everything they do, providing a full support system in training, marketing, finance, merchandise and store development.
The Mica format is based on voluntary trading which allows for ease of buying and the stimulation of entrepreneurial flair and decision making at store level. With the backing of over 400 National Supply Partners that allow for the best value to shelf for the member in everyday quality hardware products that make the members more profitable and able to deliver the best to their customers at a relative market price.
Click here to enquire about owning a Mica Hardware store.
