How to DIY Repair Worn Screws and Sagging Front Doors Using Professional Tools and Wires

Small breakdowns occurring all over the house are often too expensive to call an expert for, yet feel overwhelming to do oneself. We have organized useful life know-how for situations where a screw head is stripped and won't unscrew, or when a front door sags, fails to close properly, and makes squeaking noises.

Solving Worn Screw Heads with 'Neji-Saurus' and 'Bolt Remover'

When a screw head is corroded or worn so that a screwdriver spins uselessly, it is difficult to solve with conventional methods. While methods like placing a rubber band or a balloon over it are commonly known, if strong force is required, the rubber may grind away, making the effect minimal. According to a 'Cheolmulbaksa TV' video, it is efficient to use professional tools suited to the situation in these cases.

If the screw head is protruding to some extent, a product called 'Neji-Saurus' is useful. This tool features grooves (teeth) at the tip that tightly grip worn screws. While regular bits have flat surfaces that cannot grip worn screws and instead spin uselessly, Neji-Saurus can grip and turn the screw using its grooves. Neji-Saurus is priced in the 20,000 won range.

On the other hand, if the screw head is ground flat and recessed, Neji-Saurus cannot be used. In this case, a 'bolt remover' must be used. The work with a bolt remover proceeds in two steps. First, use the drill bit attached to one end to create a path in the screw head. A point of caution here is that, unlike a regular drill, you must rotate it counter-clockwise to make the hole. After creating a sufficient path, you can easily extract the worn screw by replacing the cone-shaped part and turning it counter-clockwise. Bolt removers are sold in various price ranges, from the 1,000 won range to less than 10,000 won, depending on the product configuration.

Self-Replacing Sagging Front Doors and Noise with 'Pivot Hinge Set'

If a front door does not close properly or if friction noises are heard when opening and closing the door, there is a high possibility that a problem has occurred with the 'door pivot' components located at the top and bottom of the door. The upper component often suffers from axis misalignment or wear, while the lower component frequently experiences issues with the bearings. Calling an expert can cost about 200,000 to 300,000 won, but self-repair is possible by utilizing components such as the 'Front Door Doctor Pivot Hinge Set'.

First, the door must be removed. By loosening the screws on the upper cover and slightly lifting the door to detach the lower component, the door leaf can be removed. For this, you will need a regular or electric screwdriver, a monkey wrench (or hex wrench) to hold the nut, and grease (or a lubricant/rust preventer like WD-40) to reduce friction. If it is a lower bearing issue, you can solve the problem by inserting 1 to 4 washers included in the set to adjust the height of the door. Usually, you try inserting 2 washers, and if it is not resolved, you can use up to 4 depending on the situation.

When replacing the upper component, apply sufficient grease to the new hinge component, then insert the bolt-shaped component into the hole. Afterward, insert a flat washer and a spring washer in order, fasten the nut, and tighten it firmly with a wrench. Finally, finish by putting on the finishing cap. However, it should be noted that the finishing cap may not fit perfectly and might gap slightly. If the hinge body itself is broken and requires welding, self-repair is difficult, and you must seek professional help.

Reinforcing Loose Screw Holes with Copper Wire and Iron Wire

The phenomenon where a screw spins uselessly because the hole has widened when driving a screw into wood or steel plate is a common problem. In this case, the key is to fill the empty space in the hole to create a place for the screw to bite into.

The first method is to utilize copper wire. Strip the insulation of a copper wire, such as Romex wire, to reveal the copper core, and then push about two strands into the loosened hole. If you drive the screw in immediately in that state, the copper wire will be compressed, and the screw will be fixed very firmly. After the work, the remaining wire can be trimmed with nippers or broken off by shaking it with your hands.

The second is the method using iron wire. If you do not have extra wire at home, you can use iron wire. Bundle the iron wire into three or four layers and organize it well so it can fit into the hole, then insert it into the hole in the same way as the wire and tighten the screw. Through these methods, you can prevent the screw from spinning uselessly and fix the components sturdily.