Precautions for the Use of Door Hinges
Precautions during the Installation Stage
Correct Selection
Select appropriate specifications of hinges according to the type (such as wooden doors, iron doors, aluminum alloy doors, etc.), size and weight of the door. For example, heavier solid wood doors require hinges with greater load-bearing capacity, usually hinges that are thicker and made of stronger materials to meet the requirements. Generally speaking, an ordinary interior wooden door can use 2 - 3 stainless steel hinges with a thickness of 3 - 4 millimeters.
Also consider the types of hinges. Common ones include ordinary hinges, butt hinges (spring hinges) and hydraulic hinges. Ordinary hinges are suitable for general hinged doors and are easy to install; butt hinges are equipped with a spring device and can close the door automatically; hydraulic hinges can achieve a buffered closing to avoid noise caused by the door hitting, and are more suitable for places with requirements for quietness.
Installation Location
The installation position of the hinges should be accurate. For ordinary hinged doors, generally install the door hinges on one side of the door, usually about 10 - 15 centimeters away from the upper and lower edges of the door. One or more hinges are evenly distributed in the middle (depending on the height of the door). This can ensure that the door is evenly stressed and opens and closes smoothly. For example, for a door with a height of 2 meters, in addition to the two hinges at the top and bottom, another hinge can be installed in the middle, and the spacing between the three hinges is roughly equal.
When installing the hinges, make sure that the hinge pins are on the same straight line. Otherwise, the door will be stuck or distorted during the opening and closing process, affecting the service life of the door.
Installation Firmness
The hinges need to be firmly installed on the door and the door frame. Before installation, make sure that the installation surfaces are flat and clean, without dust, oil and other impurities. If it is a wooden door, it is best to drill holes in the installation position in advance to prevent the wood from cracking.
Use appropriate screws for installation. The length of the screws should be moderate. They should not be too short to cause the hinges to be installed loosely, nor too long to penetrate the other side of the door or the door frame, which will affect the appearance and safety. Generally, the screws should be completely screwed into the installation holes of the hinges and be flush with the surface of the hinges.
Precautions during the Use Stage
Avoid Excessive Force
When opening and closing the door, don't use excessive force. Excessive force will exert a large impact on the hinges, which may lead to deformation of the hinges and loosening of the screws, shortening the service life of the hinges. Especially for hinges with spring or hydraulic devices, excessive force may damage the internal spring or hydraulic structure and make them lose the functions of automatic closing or buffering.
Regular Cleaning and Lubrication
Regularly clean the dust and dirt on the surface of the hinges. Dust and dirt will enter the moving parts such as the hinge pins, increasing the friction and causing the door to open and close unsmoothly. You can use a soft cloth dipped in a small amount of cleaner to wipe the surface of the hinges, but avoid the cleaner entering the internal mechanical structure of the hinges.
Lubricate appropriately. Every once in a while (such as every 3 - 6 months), you can drip a small amount of lubricating oil (such as sewing machine oil, WD - 40, etc.) on the hinge pins to make the hinges rotate more flexibly. However, be careful not to over-lubricate to prevent the lubricating oil from dripping onto the floor or the door and causing pollution.
Inspection and Maintenance
Regularly check whether the screws of the hinges are loose. If the screws are found to be loose, tighten them in time to prevent safety accidents such as the door falling off. You can use a screwdriver to regularly check and tighten the screws.
Pay attention to observing whether the hinges are deformed, damaged or other situations. If any abnormality is found in the hinges, such as wear of the hinge pins or bending of the hinge leaves, replace the hinges in time to ensure the normal use and safety of the door.
