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View Full Version : Adding opening assist to basement door


nmyers
Feb 3, 2008, 08:57 PM
I have an interior wooden basement door in my utility room that is too heavy for me to open by myself. How can I add an assist to opening this.

Flying Blue Eagle
Feb 3, 2008, 10:19 PM
I have an interior wooden basement door in my utility room that is too heavy for me to open by myself. How can I add an assist to opening this.
Nmyers - Since it is a inside door in the basement, Which ever way it opens , on the inside to way it opens , put you a heavy gate spring on the door, That's all I can think of for the moment, If I have helped rate my answer below. Good Luck & GOD BLESS.:::: F.B.E.:) :) ;) :D

ballengerb1
Feb 4, 2008, 09:53 AM
Even a very heavy door should swing freely if it is hinged properly. It may be a bit too big of a task for you to do alone but I would remove the door and clean/oil the hinge pins to see it that helps.

hkstroud
Feb 4, 2008, 11:37 PM
I agree with ballengerb1 but would like to add, no need to remove the door. With the door closed just remove one hinge pin at a time, clean, oil and reinstall. However, I suspect that there must be something else preventing the door from swinging.

ballengerb1
Feb 5, 2008, 09:49 AM
I did not give a complete answer earlier. I suggested removing the door because there could be binding or rubbing and some planing may be in order. I agree, there is probably something else going on here rather than just rusty hinges.

biggsie
Feb 5, 2008, 11:03 AM
I had trouble opening the doors in my basement -- took down doors and clamped a fence

On the bottom of doors and trimmed 3/8" off bottom of doors -- doors no longer rub --

Work great... Concrete floors not even -- probably many like this

ballengerb1
Feb 5, 2008, 11:23 AM
Some basement thresholds tend to move up and down as the seasons change.