How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

Repairing a broken window hinge repair door hinge is a simple task for the majority of homeowners. If the holes for screws have been smashed and will not hold screws, you could require wood glue and dowels to put back in the hinge.

Before you do that, however you should clean off any surface rust. This will help keep the dowels in their place and provide a solid foundation for them to grip onto.

Take the Hinges off

Most hinges on doors are able to be removed, making it easier to move the door from one side to another or to remove the entire door off of the frame, if needed. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges, however, you must know what to do.

If the hinges have been painted, you will need to remove the paint prior to attempting to remove the pins. You may scratch your door if do not remove the paint. Place the hinges in a stainless steel pot and fill it with water to the point that the hinges are 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 are loosening then you can remove the hinges from the door and frame. You can make use of a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended that you use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to grab screws made of metal and will help you get the job completed much quicker.

It is a good practice to spray some lubricant on the hinges prior to trying to remove them. A simple lubricant can make the process to go more quickly and aid in the removal of the pins and screws. You can find this kind of lubricant in most hardware and home improvement stores.

The number of hinges required will also vary depending on the kind of door you have and the way it's installed. Doors with solid cores and heavy weights will require more hinges, whereas hollow-cored doors that are lighter may only require two or three hinges.

It is also important to know the various types of hinges in order to determine which ones work best in your situation. Exterior hinges are designed to withstand the weight of a door, whereas hinges for interior use must be able to handle heavier loads.

Reattaching the Hinges

Over time, the hinges of doors may become loose and start to sag or hang crookedly. It can be a big issue, but the solution is usually easy. Most of the time an easy tightening of the screw will resolve the problem. If the screw holes have been stripped out, it can be difficult to do. There is a method to make these holes tight again that uses a wood dowel.

Start by drilling out the old hole using an appropriate drill bit similar 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 similar to the screw to ensure a snug fit. Then, reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired degree of tightness. If the door has a tendency to bind, then add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Be sure to shut the door slowly so that you can check the perimeter clearances after each adjustment.

You could also use a wood plug instead of the dowel. This will work similarly, but it may take a bit longer to put in. You can insert a piece of wood that has been whittled down to the proper size. If you don't have an instrument for woodworking, you can use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks.

Make use of a countersink in order to make the hole smaller for the head of screw after you have reinstalled it. This will prevent the screw from rubbing against the edges of the doors as they are closed and opened. This will aid in tightening the screw after you are reinstalling the hinge.

After installing the hinge again, you should lubricate the hinge with dry lubricant. This will prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are good options. Apply a thin layer of it and allow it to soak into the hinge barrel for around 15 minutes.

Refinishing the Hinges

If you are not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you are able to make a few repairs. Check that the screws that secure the hinge plate in place to the door frame and the frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them with a power drill or screwdriver. Be cautious not to over tighten the screws, because this could cause gaps to form at the trim joints, or worse, strip out the threads.

If you're experiencing issues because the hinge plates are separated from the jamb and door, you can reattach them by applying wood glue to the back of the plates and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. Dowels or toothpicks will give a solid foundation for the screws and prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into the holes. Let the glue dry before attaching the hinge.

The screws can also be smashed or gone. This problem can be fixed by replacing the screws. Make sure you use the correct drill bit for the size of the screw hole in order to avoid drilling into other parts of the window hinge replacement service or jamb.

Once you've reattached the hinge, close the door and check the gap between the frame and the door. It should be approximately the thickness of one nickel all the way around or less if there's a gap caused by a door that was not properly hang. If the hinges were set up properly, this shouldn't be an issue.

If you notice that the hinges are still loose, you can try adding a thicker hinge shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to add some extra space. You could also try taking the hinge pin from the problematic hinge and then pounding it with a hammer to make it tighter or use an entirely new hinge pin. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba in order to reduce friction hinges for timber windows and hold them in their place. Lubricating your hinges frequently will stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky, and also extend their lifespan.

Cleaning the Hinges

The constant movement of a hinge causes friction, which attracts dust particles. These particles can get stuck and accumulate in the moving parts of door hinges if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. The hinge will get stiff and creaky, and its appearance may rapidly deteriorate. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection will preserve the quality and function of hinges on a door.

Examine the hinges to determine how to fix window hinges much rust has formed on their surface. If the corrosion has reached the point of damaging the surface of the barrel or screw holes, you'll have to replace the hinges. If you are able to save the hinges, first brush off any loose rust with steel wool and a wire brush. Then, apply a commercial rust remover or homemade solution like lemon juice on the hinge. Let the rust removal solution be on the hinge for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion.

Retightening screws can restore hinge functionality in the event that you don't want to spend money or time on replacing hinges. It might be necessary to add an shim of wood or a dowel to the hinge if the screw holes have been stripped. Wooden dowels are round pieces of wood that are in the form of rods which are available in varying lengths and diameters. They are available at home improvement stores as well as woodworking supply and craft shops, or online.

You can also make an shim using metal or plastic depending on the type hinge you have. To make a dowel cut an unfinished dowel into the desired length. You can then dip the dowel into a carpenter's glue and insert it into the stripped hole and let the glue hold the dowel in place.

Before cleaning the hinges, lay down a paper cloth or towel to shield your flooring from spills. After you have protected the area clean the hinges with a soft sponge or a cloth dipped into a mild cleaner to remove dirt and grime. You can also remove tarnish, dirt, and grime. A small or toothbrush can be used to reach hard-to-reach areas in crevices and narrow places.