How to Install a Safety Chain on a Storm Door
Installing a safety chain on a storm door prevents the wind and people from opening the door so wide that it hits the house, which could break the glass or tear the screen. Installing the safety chain on your storm door is fairly easy to do. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Phillips screwdriver
- Slotted screwdriver
- Sawhorses
- Leveler
Instructions
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1
Check that the safety chain is long enough for the storm door. If the chain is too long, that's okay. You can always cut off a few links. But if the chain is too short, you have a problem.
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2
Check the directions for installing the chain. Quite often the instructions are not as accurate as they should be, and they may refer to a longer chain than you have. Take time to map out the installation of the chain to make sure you don't have to make any adjustments.
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3
Mark with a pencil on the upper jamb where the chain is to be attached. Most door installation kits come with a template to make this task a bit easier.
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4
Check the distance from the hinge jam to the chain. If the distance is too short, the jamb could pull out along with the chain, so adjust the distance to the correct length for the door to open completely.
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5
Install the door safety chain at a 90-degree angle. This allows the chain to efficiently hold the door in place securely in the event of storms or high winds.
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Inspect the door after installation of the safety chain by opening the door as if someone were walking through. The chain should be relaxed and have some sway to it.
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Examine brackets for the door jamb to make sure you installed the chain correctly if the chain is too tight.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses and have two sawhorses available in case you need to take off the door for additional adjustments.
