How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Repairing a broken door hinge can be a doable job for most homeowners. If the screw holes have been stripped and will not hold screws, you could require dowels and wood glue to fix the door hinge. Brush away any surface rust. This will allow the dowels to stay in place and give them a solid base to rest on. Eliminating the Hinges Many standard door hinges can be removed, which makes it easier to move doors from one side of the frame to the opposite side or remove the entire door in the event of need. Anyone with a little patience can take the hinges off, but you need to know what to do. 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 be smashed off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. Place the hinges in the stainless steel pot and fill it with water to the point that the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for around 30 minutes. The heat of the water will soften the paint making it easier to remove. Once the pins are removed, take the hinges and the frame from the door. You can employ a screwdriver for the job done, but it is recommended to make use of a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver is designed to remove screws made of metal and can make the work go much faster. Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is a good idea to spray them with some oil. A simple lubricant can help you speed up the process and remove the screws and pins easier. This type of lubricant can be found in a variety of hardware stores and home improvement shops. Keep in mind that the number of door hinges you'll require will differ based on the door's type and the setting. Doors with solid cores and heavy weights will require more hinges while lighter and hollow-cored doors may only need two or three. Understanding the different types of hinges can help you decide which one is the best for your particular situation. Exterior hinges are generally designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges have to be able to handle lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes a door hinge will get looser and eventually begin to hang crookedly or sag. This can be a major issue, but the solution is usually easy. Retightening the screw will typically solve the issue. If the screw holes have been stripped out, it may be difficult to fix. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes once more. Start by drilling out the hole from the previous one using a drill bit that is similar to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. To ensure a tight fit, the dowel should be cut to the same length as the screw. Reinstall the screw, and tighten to desired tightness. If the door continues to have the tendency to be bowed and close, then you can add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to make sure that the clearances around the perimeter are correct. Another option is to just utilize the wood plug instead of a dowel. It's also possible however it may take some time to set up. Simply whittle a piece of wood that is the right size for a snug fit, then tap it into the hole. If you don't have an instrument for woodworking, you can use toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood. After you have reinstalled the new screw then use a countersink to make the hole for the screw's head smaller so that it won't be able to rub against the edge of the door when it is opened and closed. This will make it easier to tighten the screws after reinstalling hinges. After you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to grease 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 great options. Apply a thin layer and allow it to soak into the barrel of the hinge for approximately 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you're unsure whether to replace your hinges, try a few fixes. The first step is to make sure whether the screws that secure the hinge plate to the frame and door are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using an electric drill or screwdriver. Be cautious not to tighten the screws to the point that they start to create gaps in the trim joints, or even worse cause threads to be stripped. If the issue is that the hinge plates are breaking and you want to reattach the plates by applying wood glue on the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. The dowels or toothpicks serve as a solid base for the screws and to prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into the holes. Let the glue dry before attaching the hinge. Another common cause of loose hinges is that the screws are damaged or gone. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with longer ones. 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 hinge or jamb. Once you've reattached the hinge close the door and look at the gap between the door and the frame. The gap should be the thickness of a penny or less if an old door was not properly hung. This should not be a problem if the hinges are properly installed. If the hinges still seem loose, you can add a stronger hinge between the surface of the hinge plate and the mounting surface. This will allow the hinges more space. You can also remove the hinge pin, then pound it down with a hammer to tighten it or use the hinge of a different type. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/southend-window-hinge-repairs-near-me/ can also lubricate the hinges using mineral or jojoba oil to decrease friction and aid in holding their position. Lubricating your hinges periodically will help stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky and can also prolong their life. Cleaning the Hinges The friction generated by a hinge's constant movement draws dust particles. If there is no regular cleaning or lubrication, these particles get stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and build up over time. In the end the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance could be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections will ensure the quality and function of hinges that are attached to doors. Examine the hinges for the accumulation of rust. If the rust has become 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 removal solution or homemade solution like lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust-removing solution be on the hinges for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust. If you don't wish to spend the time and money to replace hinges, tightening the screws will restore the hinges' functionality. If you've stripped the screws however, it might be necessary to add a wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods that vary in lengths and sizes. They are available at home improvement centers as well as woodworking supply and craft shops, or online. A shim may also be made from a piece of metal or plastic, depending on the type of hinge you have. To make a dowel, you need to cut a dowel from wood to the desired length. You can then dip the dowel into carpenter's glue before inserting it into the hole that you have stripped and let the glue hold the dowel in place. Before cleaning the hinges, put down a piece of paper cloth or towel to shield your flooring from spills. After protecting the area then clean the hinges using an easy sponge or cloth dipped into mild cleaner to eliminate dirt and grime. You can also remove tarnish, dirt, and grime. A small brush or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices and tight areas.