How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

Most homeowners can repair hinges that are loose. If the screws' holes are shattered and do not hold screws, you may need to use wood glue and dowels to put back in the door hinge.

Before you do that though, brush away the surface rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid base to grip into.

Take off the Hinges

Many standard door hinges can be removed, making it simpler to move doors from one side of the frame to the other or remove the entire door when needed. Removing the hinges is fairly simple for anyone with a little patience, though you do have to know how to replace upvc window hinges to do it correctly.

If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to remove the paint before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will flake off and scratch your door when you try to lift it. To break the seal put the hinges in a stainless steel dish and fill the pan with water until the hinges are completely submerged. The hinges should rest in the pan for about 30 minutes. The heat of the water will soften the paint making it easier to take off.

Once the pins have been loose, remove the hinges and frame from the door. You can employ a screwdriver for the job done, however it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver was designed to grab screws made of steel and make the task run much more quickly.

Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is recommended to spray them with some oil. A simple lubricant can help the process go by more quickly and help you remove the screws and pins. This kind of lubricant is able to be found at most hardware stores and home improvement stores.

The number of hinges required will also vary depending on what type of door you have and the way it's set up. Doors with solid cores and heavy weights will require more aluminium window hinges while hollow-cored doors that are lighter may only need two or three.

Understanding the different types of hinges will help determine which one is suitable for your situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the door's weight however, interior hinges will need to be able to handle lighter loads.

Reattaching the Hinges

Sometimes, the hinges on doors loosen over time and start to hang out of alignment or sag. This can cause problems, but it's usually easy to solve. Retightening the screw will typically solve the problem. However, if the screw holes are stripped out, this can be more difficult to do. A wood dowel could be used to tighten the holes again.

Begin by drilling the old hole using a drill close to the size of the new screw (normally 3/8"). Then, you can use wood glue and dowels made of wood to fill in the hole. The dowel should be cut to a length the same as the screw to ensure a snug fit. Reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired degree of tightness. If the door has an tendency to get stuck, then add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Make sure to close the door slowly in order to examine the clearances around the perimeter after each adjustment.

You can also use a wooden plug instead of the dowel. This will work equally well, but may take a little longer to set up. Simply whittle a chunk of wood that is the proper size to ensure a secure fit, then press it into the hole. If you don't own a woodworking instrument, you can use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks.

Use a countersink to make the hole smaller for the head of screw after you have reinstalled it. This will prevent the screw from rubbing against the edge of the doors as they are closed and opened. This will make it easier to tighten the screw prior to you are reinstalling the hinge.

After you have reinstalled the hinge, make sure to coat it with a dry lubricant in order to help keep it from getting stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are good alternatives. You should apply a light coat and wait for about 15 minutes to fully reach the barrel of the hinge.

Refinishing the Hinges

If you're not yet ready to replace your hinges, you can try a few easy fixes. The first step is to ensure that the screws securing the hinge plate to the door frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them with the help of a screwdriver or a power drill. Be careful not too tighten the screws as this could cause gaps to form at the trim joints or worse, strip out the threads.

If the issue is that the hinge plates are splitting they can be reattached to the plates by putting wood glue to the back of them and then inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks create a solid foundation for the screws, and prevent the plates from shifting as you insert them. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.

The screws can also be stripped or missing. This problem can be fixed by replacing the screws. Use a drill bit that is exactly the same size as the screw hole to avoid drilling into the jamb or hinge.

After you've reattached your hinge close the door and examine the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be the thickness of a penny all around or less if an old door was not hung correctly. If the hinges were set up correctly, this should not be an issue.

If you discover that the hinges remain loose, you can try adding the thicker shim of the hinge between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to give a little extra space. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the problem hinge and pounding it down with a hammer in order to make it more secure or using an entirely new hinge pin. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral oil or jojoba in order to reduce friction and keep them in their place. Lubricating your hinges regularly can aid in keeping them from becoming stiff or squeaky, and will also prolong their lifespan.

Cleaning the Hinges

The constant movement of a hinge creates friction, which attracts dust particles. Without regular 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 get worse. 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 corrosion. If the corrosion has reached the point of damaging the surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you will require replacement of the hinges. If you can save the hinges, you should first clean off any loose rust with steel wool and a wire brush. Then, apply a commercial rust remover or a homemade solution such as lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust removal solution sit on the hinge for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust.

If you do not want to spend cost and time to replace hinges, simply tightening the screws will bring back the hinge's functionality. It may be necessary to add an shim of wood or a dowel to the upvc broken window hinge repair hinge adjustment (click to read) if the screw holes have been shaved. Wooden dowels come in round rods that vary in sizes and lengths. They are available at home improvement centers or woodworking supply shops, or on the internet.

You can also create an shim out of either plastic or metal, depending on the type of window hinge repairs you have. To make a dowel, cut an unfinished dowel into the desired length. You can then dip the dowel in a glue for carpenters and then insert it into the hole that you have stripped and let the glue hold the dowel in the desired position.

Before you begin cleaning the hinges, put down a towel or a paper towel to shield floors and other surfaces from drips and spills that could happen. After protecting the area then clean the hinges using a soft sponge or cloth that has been dipped in a mild cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and tarnish. A small or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or difficult spots.