Do you know how to remove old swinging kitchen door? That old swinging door is pretty nice to provide your kitchen with the privacy it needs. Also, it helps the easy access to the dining room if you carry dishes in or out of the kitchen. The swinging doors do not require you to pull with your hands or wait till someone comes to help you to open the doors when your hands are busy with dishes. However, old swinging doors can be troublesome sometimes, when they hit back at you when you just left and want to go back in immediately.
They also block lights from penetrating the kitchen. In addition, old swinging doors can take up much space and make your kitchen feel stuffy. Thus you might want to remove them. In this piece, we will discuss how to remove old swinging kitchen door and other tips needed to achieve the perfect result. Let’s go straight to the point.
How to remove old swinging kitchen door
Removing an old swinging kitchen door can be done yourself, but you will need to get all tools necessary to make the process easy. Follow these steps on how to remove old swinging kitchen door.
Step 1: Locate the swinging door hinge
The first step to removing an old swinging door is to locate the hinge which is usually located close to the floor, at the door jamb. You might find that the hinges are in place with metal plates or a protective plastic cover on the screw.
Step 2: Unscrew the plate
With a screwdriver, remove the screws that hold the plate down to the door.
Step 3: Pull the swinging door out
An old swinging door mechanism requires that you gently pull the door down. Then you have to apply a little force so the pin holding the plate down can detach. At this point, the down part of the swinging door should give way.
Step 4: Unscrew the top plate
Using the same process in step 2, unscrew the pin holding the plate to the door at the top.
Step 5: Pull the door out
The old swinging door should give way at this point. Pull it out of the hinges and place the old swinging door aside.
Step 6: Fill holes with putty
Mix some putty in a small bowl. With a plastering tool, fill screw hole marks with the putty to smooth out the wall. In addition, you should paint the putty areas with the desired paint.
Kindly note that the process for removing full-length interior swinging doors can be a bit different. According to Home Steady, you might consider removing any flooring materials to ease the process. After following the steps above, you should replace the flooring material back.
How to repair a swinging butler door
The swinging butler doors are the nicest doors to have in your kitchen. They allow servers to move in and out of the door with dishes in hand without needing to use their hands which are filled already to open the door. However, despite how valuable and easy a swinging butler door has, it develops some problems, such as door hinges squeaking or loose from the door. In certain instances, the door might not swing well or find it hard to close. Under this heading, we will discuss how to repair a swinging butler door.
Step 1: Repair a squeak in a swinging butler door
- Apply lubricant to the hinges that squeak. You should apply lubricant to all hinges because they protect the hinges from rust and make them move freely.
- Work the door back and forth so the lubricant can circulate across the hinges.
- Keep using the same process till the butler door stops squeaking. Note that E-How recommends using lubricant for other hinges of the swinging butler door that squeaks.
Step 2: Repair a loose swinging butler door
- Find your way to the hinges that have become loose.
- Use a screwdriver to emplace the screws back in the hinges of the swinging butler door.
- If there are other screws that are loose, follow the same process to have them tightened back in place.
Step 3: Repairing a swinging butler door that does not close properly
- First, identify where the door does not close properly.
- Try to see if you can adjust the swinging butler door without taking down the door.
- If the problem persists without removing the door, you will have to unscrew the swinging butler door from the plates and unhook the door from the pins.
- You can choose to reverse the door hinge if need be.
- Set down the door, retake your measurements, and start the process of installing the swinging butler door. Ensure you set the plates and hinges well and tightly to the door.
- Test that your swinging door now closes properly.
You can consider replacing your old swinging door with a swinging butler pantry door when the problems persist.
How to remove old swinging kitchen door: Tips
- You will need someone to assist you in both procedures above. Because you might need them to help you hold the door in place when you are working on the hinges
- Be gentle with the way you handle the hinges, because a show of force could make the pin attached to the plate hard, and the swinging door will be difficult to remove or repair.
- Buy the best lubricant and always use it on the hinges of your swinging doors. Apply the lubricant once a month to ensure they are still fresh and don’t get rust.
- If the procedure gets too complicated, you can contact a professional carpenter to help you address the issue. But it is something you can do yourself if you follow the steps above.
How to remove old swinging kitchen door: FAQ
How do you change an interior door swing?
To change an interior door swing, you will need a screwdriver. Unscrew the plates from the hinges. Afterward, you would have to loosen the screws at the top and bottom. Pull the doors out from the pin and hinges, and set the old swinging door aside. Use the steps highlighted above to change an interior door swing.
How do you install a butler door?
To install a butler door, you have to measure the height in the doorway you want the butler door to be. Drill the holes where the screws will hold the butler door to the hinges. Have the hinges in place and hang the butler door.
How do I stop a door from swinging open?
When a door has stayed in use for a while at home, the hinges might wear off, and the door will swing open by itself. To stop this scene from repeating itself, you might want to realign the hinges, or you can check if any of the screws have got loosed. In some rear cases, you may need to change the hinges altogether. In the future, kindly purchase hinges from trusted brands.
Can an inswing door be changed to an outswing?
Yes, it is possible to change an inswing door to an outswing. It has many advantages. Changing an inswing door to an outswing door can ensure the door is durable, and it affords you the convenience needed in your living space. Plus, the change is said to save you space in the home.
How do you adjust a swinging door?
Adjusting a swing door will require you to loosen the pivot screw at the bottom of the door so the plates can be free. With a screwdriver, you will have to turn anticlockwise or clockwise the adjustable screw to decrease or increase the tension of the spring. If you test that the door is now opening and closing freely by itself, then screw back the door.
How do I remove an old pivot door?
To remove an old pivot door, you will need to locate the bracket at the top of the pivot door. Then open the door, and you should see a screw at the back. If you can not see the screw with your naked eyes, you might need a torch. Once the screw becomes visible, you have to unscrew it. At this point, the door should be easy to lift and unhinge from the pins holding the door down at the bottom.
Conclusion
In summary, this article has identified the problems that often develop with old swinging doors. Knowing how to address this problem is important. And we have discussed a step-by-step guide on how to remove old swinging kitchen door. Furthermore, another heading considered how to repair a swinging butler door, giving diverse steps to tackle each problem.
Expert tips were highlighted above on how to achieve the removal and repair of your old swinging door. You are advised to follow these tips, and when you get confused at any point, remember to revisit this article for clarity. Best of luck!
