How do I un-stick a multi-hinged door?
September 11, 2013 9:08 PM Subscribe
I live in an apartment with a Juliet balcony and one of those doors with hinges on the sides and bottom, so that when you point the handle upward, the top of the door swings inward for ventilation, and when you turn it to the side, it opens like a normal door, hinges on the right. (Pointing it downward locks the whole deal) ((I'm not sure what they're called, so if anyone knows, that'd be helpful as well))
The bottom-left corner is stuck such that I can open it for top-ventilation, but when I try opening it like a door, the top-left corner moves normally, but the bottom-left remains locked in place.
How do I unstick the door hinge?
Response by poster: Good point about photos. Here we go.
Mystery Door
Mystery Door swung out from the top
Mystery Door Handle
No dice on there being a bottom-latch. (Though I have done that as well)
posted by CrystalDave at 9:27 PM on September 11, 2013
Mystery Door
Mystery Door swung out from the top
Mystery Door Handle
No dice on there being a bottom-latch. (Though I have done that as well)
posted by CrystalDave at 9:27 PM on September 11, 2013
I believe that they are called "tilt-turn" or "tilt and turn" doors.
posted by Knappster at 9:57 PM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Knappster at 9:57 PM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
The window/door type is called a tilt turn. Sometimes called a tilt turn hopper - normally a hopper is just a window that opens inward when hinged at the bottom.
posted by LionIndex at 9:58 PM on September 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by LionIndex at 9:58 PM on September 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: It may simply be broken, although the style of door you have (almost certainly of German manufacture) is pretty robust.
The general approach when trying to resolve jams like this, which can happen, is to operate from the fully-closed position. Close the door, pushing in all the corners with your hands, and turn the handle down so that it is absolutely perpendicular to the floor. Now check to make sure the corners are flush to the door frame. If they are not, you have a hint at what might be wrong.
Now, maintaining some pressure on the door, turn the handle carefully to the full open (90° to the floor) position. Try to feel the mechanism as you do this, also by lightly placing your fingers on the sash. There is usually a "sweet spot" where you can feel that the cams have left the guide slot. Some doors can be really finicky this way, it's important to get the position just right. You may also need a bit of patience.
So the keys are -- pressure against the door when changing modes, start from the closed position, check the seal, and then do a bit of wiggling. Take your time. If none of that works, there may be an obstruction in the frame itself. See if you can look inside when the door is in the tilt position. Sometimes, I've observed, the door is simply adhered to the frame in one spot and you need to give it a bit of a heave. Do this only if it was completely flush when closed and only if the handle is absolutely 90° to the floor.
And if that doesn't do it, call a professional. These doors aren't cheap.
posted by rhombus at 1:05 AM on September 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
The general approach when trying to resolve jams like this, which can happen, is to operate from the fully-closed position. Close the door, pushing in all the corners with your hands, and turn the handle down so that it is absolutely perpendicular to the floor. Now check to make sure the corners are flush to the door frame. If they are not, you have a hint at what might be wrong.
Now, maintaining some pressure on the door, turn the handle carefully to the full open (90° to the floor) position. Try to feel the mechanism as you do this, also by lightly placing your fingers on the sash. There is usually a "sweet spot" where you can feel that the cams have left the guide slot. Some doors can be really finicky this way, it's important to get the position just right. You may also need a bit of patience.
So the keys are -- pressure against the door when changing modes, start from the closed position, check the seal, and then do a bit of wiggling. Take your time. If none of that works, there may be an obstruction in the frame itself. See if you can look inside when the door is in the tilt position. Sometimes, I've observed, the door is simply adhered to the frame in one spot and you need to give it a bit of a heave. Do this only if it was completely flush when closed and only if the handle is absolutely 90° to the floor.
And if that doesn't do it, call a professional. These doors aren't cheap.
posted by rhombus at 1:05 AM on September 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Perfect, thanks!
Turns out a metal plate was bent out of place near the bottom, and your steps allowed me to get the door unstuck and push the plate back into place. (I didn't think to get a 'before' photo, sadly.)
posted by CrystalDave at 9:20 AM on September 12, 2013
Turns out a metal plate was bent out of place near the bottom, and your steps allowed me to get the door unstuck and push the plate back into place. (I didn't think to get a 'before' photo, sadly.)
posted by CrystalDave at 9:20 AM on September 12, 2013
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posted by handful of rain at 9:16 PM on September 11, 2013