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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a door hinge that is loose can be a doable job for most homeowners. If the screw holes have been smashed and will not hold screws, you might require wood glue and dowels to put back in the door hinge. Clean up any surface rust. This will allow the dowels to stay in place and give them a solid foundation to rest on. Removal of the Hinges A lot of door hinges are able to be removed, making it easier to move the door from one side to the next or to remove the entire door off the frame if need be. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges however, you must know what to do. If the hinges are painted you will need to remove the paint before attempting to remove the pins. You could scratch your door if you do not remove the paint. Place the hinges into an stainless steel pot and fill it with water until the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for 30 minutes. The heat of the water will soften the paint, making it easier to take off. After the pins have been loosened, remove the hinges and the frame from the door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, however it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver is specially designed to pick up screws made of metal and will aid you in getting the job accomplished much faster. It is a good idea to spray lubricant onto the hinges prior to trying to remove them. A simple lubricant will help the process go by more quickly and make it easier to remove the pins and screws. You can find this kind of lubricant in most hardware and home improvement stores. It is important to keep in mind that the number of hinges you'll need will vary depending on the door's type and the settings. Solid-cored and heavier doors will require more hinges, whereas lighter and hollow-cored doors may only require two or three hinges. It is also essential to be aware of the various kinds of hinges so you can decide which one will best suit your needs. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the weight of a door, while interior hinges need to be able to support heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes a door hinge will become looser over time and begin to hang out of alignment or sag. This can be a problem, but it's usually easy to repair. A simple tightening can solve the problem. However, if the screw holes are ripped out, this can be more difficult. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes again. Start by drilling out the old hole using the drill bit that is close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8”). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length the same as the screw to ensure a tight fit. Install the screw again and tighten it until you are satisfied with the degree of tightness. If the door continues to have a tendency to bind the door, then add a second dowel to the gap and repeat the procedure. Be sure to close the door slowly in order to verify the clearances at the perimeter after each adjustment. You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. This will work as well however it will take some time to put in. Simply whittle a piece of wood that is the proper size to ensure a secure fit, then tap it into the hole. If you don't own an instrument for woodworking You can use toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood. Once you have reinstalled the new screw, use a countersink bit to make the hole for the screw's head smaller so that it does not be able to rub against the edge of the door when it's opened and closed. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws before replacing hinges. Once you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to grease it with a dry lubricant in order to ensure that it doesn't get stuck in the future. You can use products like PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. You should apply a thin coat and allow it to take approximately 15 minutes to reach the hinge barrel. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not sure if you're ready to replace the hinges on your door, you are able to do a few simple repairs. The first step is to ensure that the screws holding the hinge plate to the door frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using a screwdriver or power drill. Be cautious not to tighten the screws so much that they start to create gaps at the trim joints, or worse cause threads to be stripped. If the problem is that the hinge plates are separating from the door and jamb it is possible to reattach the hinges by applying wood glue to the back of the plates and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks provide an solid foundation for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting when you push them in. Let the glue dry before reattaching your hinge. Another common cause of hinges that are loose is that the screws are stripped or are missing. This can be corrected by replacing the screws. Be sure to use the correct drill bit for the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into other parts of the hinge or jamb. Close the door once you've reattached your hinge and check the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of one nickel all the way around, or less if there's an existing gap created by a door that was not properly hang. This should not be a problem if the hinges are correctly installed. If you notice that the hinges are still loose, try adding the thicker shim of the hinge between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to add some extra space. repair window hinges Repair My Windows And Doors could also try removing the hinge pin from the problem hinge and pounding it using a hammer to make it tighter or use a new hinge pin altogether. You can also lubricate the hinges with mineral or jojoba oil to lessen friction and assist in keeping their position. Lubricating your hinges periodically can stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky, and also extend their lifespan. Cleaning the Hinges A hinge's continuous movement creates friction, which attracts dust particles. Without periodic cleaning and lubrication, these particles get stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and accumulate over time. In the end the hinge can become stiff and creaky and its appearance could be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections will maintain the quality and function of hinges on doors. Check the hinges to see how much rust has built up on their surface. If the rust is so severe that it has damaged the surface of the screw holes or the barrel of the hinge, you'll have to replace the hinges. If you can save the hinges, you should first clean away loose rust using steel wool and a wire brush. Apply a commercial rust-removing solution or homemade solutions like lemon juice on the hinge. Let the rust remover be on the hinge for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust. If you don't want to spend money and time replacing hinges, tightening the screws can restore the hinges' functionality. It is possible to attach dowel or shim made of wood to the hinge when the screws have been stripped. Dowels made of wood are square pieces of wood that are in the form of rods, which are available in varying lengths and sizes. You can purchase them on the internet, at stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement stores. You can also create an shim out of either plastic or metal, depending on the type hinge you own. To make a dowel, you need to cut a wooden dowel to the desired length. You can then dip the dowel in carpenter's glue before inserting it into the cut hole and let the glue hold the dowel in the desired position. Before you begin cleaning the hinges, put down a paper or cloth towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from spills and drips that may happen. After securing the area, clean the hinges using a soft sponge or a cloth dipped into a mild cleaner to remove dirt and grime. You can also remove tarnish, dirt, and grime. You can make use of a small or toothbrush brush to get into difficult-to-reach areas in crevices or tight areas.