Think Twice Before Trying The Internet's Super Glue Hack To Fix A Loose Screw

Looking for a way to fix a loose screw in a door strike plate or another spot where the material receiving the screw has been stripped away? In searching the internet, you've probably come across the tip that involves adding super glue to a cotton swab, inserting the swab into the hole, and cutting off the excess. When you can avoid the mistakes commonly made when using super glue, it is a very useful substance, but does it work on this specific TikTok hack?

The source of hacks are hard to trace online, which means there are a lot of viral videos out there sharing not-so-solid advice. To get to the truth at the center of this one, we asked a pro. Expert carpenter and remodeler Bob Beacham spoke exclusively to House Digest about the super glue trick and whether or not someone in this predicament should give it a try. While Beacham says the trick probably does work temporarily, there are a few reasons why he doesn't recommend it.

"I can see how it would appeal to people, as these are things even non-DIYers might have around the house," Beacham exclusively tells House Digest, adding that it's a fast and easy solution. Unfortunately, the cons outweigh the pros. If the swab isn't the exact size of the hole, the loose fit will cause the repair to fail over time. There's also the issue of movement. "Super glue isn't designed to resist regular impacts," he explains. Opening and closing the door will stress the makeshift gap filler, putting you back at square one.

Beacham says that the biggest knock against this hack is that it's a safety hazard. "Cotton and super glue (cyanoacrylate) are not a good mix. There's a well-documented chemical reaction that could cause minor burns to fingers or even ignite the cotton." Any fix that doesn't last very long and that could potentially result in injury or property damage is not worth it. There are other hidden downsides of using super glue to fix things around the house, including the risks it poses to the health of your lungs. Always take the proper precautions when dealing with toxic and flammable substances, which includes not using them in situations where better alternatives exist.

Beacham exclusively tells House Digest that there is an alternative to the super glue hack that is "basically the same trick," and it has been used for generations. He suggests swapping the cotton swabs for wood dowels and replacing the super glue with wood glue — an adhesive that every DIYer should know how and when to use. The diameter of the dowel has to be bigger than the screw hole, and you will need to drill out the hole a bit so that it fits. 

Apply wood glue into the hole and lightly tap in the dowel with a hammer, wiping away the excess glue. Once the glue has dried, cut off the excess dowel. "What you have now is effectively a whole new piece of wood to screw into," says Beacham. "It should be as solid and durable as the original door jamb."