How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge
Most homeowners can fix hinges that are loose. If the screw holes are shattered and do not hold screws, you might need to use dowels and wood glue to fix the door hinge.
Clean up any surface rust. This will allow the dowels to remain in place and provide them a solid foundation to rest on.
Removing the Hinges
Many hinges for doors can be removed, making it simpler to move doors from one side of the frame to the other or take the entire door off if necessary. It is simple for anyone with a little patience, although you need to know how do it correctly.
If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to remove it before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will peel off and scratch the door when you attempt to lift it. To break the seal put the hinges into a stainless steel dish and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Allow the hinges to sit in the pan for about 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint and make it easier to get rid of the pins.
Once the pins are loosened then you can remove the hinges from the frame and door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, but it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver is specifically designed to take out metal screws and will help you get the job accomplished much faster.
Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is recommended to spray them with a lubricant. A simple lubricant can help the process to go more quickly and help you remove the screws and pins. You can purchase this kind of lubricant at most hardware and home improvement stores.
The number of hinges needed will also vary depending on the type of door you have, and how it is set up. 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 be aware of the various kinds of hinges so you can decide which one will best suit your needs. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges require to support lighter loads.
Reattaching the Hinges
Over time the hinges on doors can loosen and begin to slide or hang crookedly. This can be a major issue, but the solution is usually quite simple. In most cases, a simple retightening of the screw will solve the problem. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it could be a challenge to complete. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes once more.
Start by drilling out the old hole using a 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 similar to the screw to ensure a secure fit. After that, reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired degree of tightness. If the door still has a tendency to bind and close, then you can add another dowel to the gap and repeat the procedure. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure that the perimeter clearances are correct.
You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. It works equally well, but may take a bit longer to install. You can tap in the wood piece which has been cut to the proper 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 hitting the edges of the doors as they are opened and closed. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws when replacing hinges.
After installing the hinge again, you should apply lubrication to the hinge using a dry lubricant. This will help prevent it from becoming stuck in the future. Products such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are good options. Apply a thin coating and allow it to soak into the barrel of the hinge for approximately 15 minutes.
Refinishing the Hinges
If you're not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you can do a few simple repairs. The first step is to ensure 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 cause gaps at the trim joints, or worse remove the threads.
If the issue is that the hinge plates are splitting they can be reattached to the plates by putting wood glue on the side of them and inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels or toothpicks will provide a solid base for the screws and help keep the plates from moving when you drive them into place. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.
The screws can also be damaged or missing. This issue can be resolved by replacing the screws. Make sure you use a drill bit that matches the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into other parts of the jamb or hinge.
Close window hinge repair once you've reattached the hinge and examine the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of a nickel all around, or less if there's a gap that was caused by a previous door that hung improperly. This should not be a problem if the hinges are correctly installed.
If the hinges still seem loose, you can add an extra thick hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges a little more room. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the troublesome hinge and pounding it down with a hammer in order to make it tighter or using an entirely new hinge pin. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and keep them in their place. Periodically lubricating your hinges can aid in keeping them from becoming stiff or squeaky, and will also extend their life.
Cleaning the Hinges
The continuous movement of hinges causes friction, which attracts dust particles. Without regular cleaning and lubrication, these particles get stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and build up over time. The hinge will become stiff and creaky and its appearance may rapidly deteriorate. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection will preserve the integrity and functionality of hinges on doors.
Inspect the hinges to see how much rust has formed on their surfaces. 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 need to replace the hinges. If you're able to save the hinges, remove any loose rust by using steel wool and wire brush. Then, apply an industrial rust remover or a homemade solution, such as lemon juice on the hinge. Let the rust removal solution sit on the hinge for several minutes to dissolve and penetrate any remaining rust.
If you do not want to spend cost and time to replace hinges, tightening the screws can make the hinges functional again. It is possible to attach a wooden shim or dowel to the hinge when the screws have been degraded. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods of varying lengths and sizes. You can buy them online, in stores selling woodworking supplies and at home improvement stores.
You can also make an shim out of made of plastic or metal depending on the type of hinge you own. To make a dowel cut a piece made of wooden dowel or another sturdy material to the size you want. You can then dip the dowel in a carpenter's glue and insert it into the cut hole, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in the desired position.
Before you start cleaning the hinges, lay down a paper or cloth towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from drips and spills that could happen. After securing the area clean the hinges with a soft sponge or cloth that has been dipped in mild cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. You can also remove tarnish, dirt, and grime. A small or toothbrush can be used to access difficult-to-reach places in crevices and difficult areas.