During the summer season it’s nice to keep a few doors or windows open to provide cross ventilation. However there are times when the breeze gets a little too strong and your door will slam shut. Instead of resorting to piles of shoes or cans of juice to keep your door open you can install a retractable doorstop that will provide both you and your animals peace of mind.
Spending an extra dollar or two is the difference between a doorstop that will last for many years and one that will need to be replaced often. Check the quality of the product you are buying but you shouldn’t have to pay over $5.00 . You should make sure that when the doorstop is in the up or retracted position that the spring or retainer provides a strong locking feel. You should also make sure that the stopper foot is thick so that use won’t cause quick wear.
To install your doorstop you will need only a few tools.
- Pencil.
- Hammer and Center Punch.
- Drill and small drill bit.
- Screwdriver or Bit for your drill.
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First take the doorstop out of the packaging and place it in position at the bottom of the door.
It is best to stay within about 2 inches from the outside of the door so that your screws will fasten into solid material.
Make sure that the flange that rests against the door is flush and that the stopper also rests flush on the floor.
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Mark the holes in the flange to indicate where you will drill pilot holes for your screws.
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Use a center punch to make an indentation for the drill bit to get started.
A center punch will work for either wood or metal doors but is a necessity for metal doors so that the drill bit won’t skip out of place and cause scratches to the door.
A large nail will also work.
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Drill the holes for the screws using a drill bit that is about half the diameter of the screw.
If the Drill Bit is too large it will take out too much material and this could cause the doorstop screws to be loose.
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To make life easier start the screws about 1/4 way into the door with your screwdriver or drill before you install the flange.
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Now install the doorstop.
Your new Doorstop should last for many years.