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A Fix Door Hinge Success Story You'll Never Believe
How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

Fixing a door hinge that is loose can be a doable job for the majority of homeowners. However, if the screw holes are stripped and won't hold screws you may need to add dowels and wood glue before you can install the hinge.

Before you do that, however you should clean off any the surface corrosion. This will allow the dowels to remain in place and provide them a solid base to rest on.

Eliminating the Hinges

Most hinges on doors are removable, which makes it easier to move the door from one side to the other or to remove the entire door off the frame should it be needed. Removing the hinges is fairly easy for anyone with patience, although you have to know how to do it correctly.

If the hinges have been painted it is necessary to remove the paint before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint could peel off and scratch the door when you attempt to lift it. Place the hinges into an stainless steel pot and fill it up with water until the hinges are submerged. The hinges should remain in the pan for approximately 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to get rid of the pins.

Once the pins have been loose, remove the hinges and frame from the door. You can employ a screwdriver for the job done, but it is recommended to employ a magnetic screwdriver to complete this project. This type of screwdriver is specifically designed to grab metal screws and help you get the job done much faster.

Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is a good idea to spray them with lubricant. A simple lubricant will allow you move the process along faster and also remove the screws and pins easier. You can find this type of lubricant at a variety of hardware and home improvement stores.

Keep in mind that the number of door hinges you will need will vary based on the door's type and the configurations. Heavier and solid-cored doors will require more hinges while lighter and hollow-cored doors may only need two or three.

It is also important to be aware of the various kinds of hinges so you can determine which ones work best in your situation. The hinges on the exterior 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 on doors can become loose and start to sag or hang crookedly. This can cause problems, but it's usually easy to repair. Retightening the screw will typically resolve the issue. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it may be difficult to fix. A dowel made of wood can be used to tighten the holes once more.

Start by drilling out the hole you had previously made using the drill bit that is close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Then, use wood glue and dowels made of wood to fill in the hole. To ensure a snug fit, the dowel should be cut at the same length as the screw. Reinstall the screw, and tighten to desired level of tightness. If the door still has an tendency to get stuck and close, then you can add another dowel to the gap and repeat the procedure. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure the perimeter clearances are correct.

You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. It will work just as well but might take a bit longer to set up. You can use the wood piece that has been whittled down to the right size. If you don't have a wooden tool, you can also make use of toothpicks or wooden matches as well.

Use a countersink to make the hole smaller for the head of screw after you have reinstalled it. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edge of the doors when they are closed and opened. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws after reinstalling hinges.

Once you have reinstalled the hinge, make sure to lubricate it with a dry lubricant to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can use products like PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coating and allow it to penetrate the hinge barrel for around 15 minutes.

Refinishing the Hinges

If you're not yet ready to replace hinges, you could try a few fixes. Verify that the screws that attach the hinge plate in place to the door frame and frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using the help of a screwdriver or a power drill. Be careful not too tighten the screws, as this could create gaps at the trim joints, or more seriously, tear out the threads.

If Repair My Windows And Doors is that the hinge plates are splitting, you can reattach the plates by putting wood glue to the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. Dowels and toothpicks provide a solid foundation for the screws, and prevent the plates from shifting as you drive them in. Allow the glue to dry before attaching the hinge.


The screws could also be smashed or gone. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with larger ones. Use a drill bit that is the same size as the screw hole to prevent drilling into the hinge or jamb.

Close the door once you've reattached the hinge and measure the gap between the frame and the door. It should be around the thickness of a nickel all around, or less if there's a gap created by a door that was not properly hang. This shouldn't be a problem as long as the hinges are correctly installed.

If the hinges are still loose, you can add a stronger hinge between the hinge plate surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges more room. You could also try taking the hinge pin from the problem hinge and then pounding it with a hammer in order to make it more secure or using a new hinge pin altogether. You can also grease your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to decrease friction and hold them in their place. Regularly lubricating your hinges will aid in keeping them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also extend their life.

Cleaning the Hinges

The constant movement of a hinge creates friction, which draws dust particles. These particles can become stuck and build up in the moving parts of door hinges if they are not regularly cleaned and lubricated. In the end, the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance may be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections can maintain the integrity of a hinge on a door and ensure its proper function.

Examine the hinges for signs of rust accumulation. If the rust has corroded to the point of destroying the surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you'll need to replace the hinges. If you can save the hinges, you should first clean off loose rust using steel wool and wire brushes. Then, apply a rust remover from a commercial store or a homemade solution such as lemon juice on the hinge. Allow the rust remover to sit on the hinge for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion.

The tightening of screws can restore hinge function if you don't want to spend money or time on replacing hinges. It may be necessary to add a wooden shim or dowel to the hinge when the screws have been degraded. Dowels made of wood are round pieces of wood in the form of rods that are available in varying sizes and lengths. You can buy them online, in stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement centers.

A shim could be made of a piece of plastic or metal, based on the type of hinge you have. To make a dowel, cut a piece made of wooden dowel or any other durable material to the size you want. You can dip the dowel into carpenter's adhesive and then insert it into the hole. The glue will hold the dowel firmly in the desired position.

Before you begin cleaning the hinges, put down a towel or a paper towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from accidental spills and drips. Once the area is protected, proceed to clean the hinges using a soft sponge or cloth coated with a mild cleaner or vinegar to remove built-up dirt, grime and tarnish. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to reach hard-to-reach areas in crevices and difficult places.

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