How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a door hinge that is loose can be a manageable task for the majority of homeowners. If the screws' holes have been smashed and will not hold screws, you might require dowels and wood glue to fix the door hinge. Before you do this, however scrub away any the surface corrosion. This will allow the dowels to stay in place and give them a solid foundation to grip into. Take the Hinges off Many standard door hinges 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 if need be. Anyone who is patient 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. You could scratch your door if do not remove the paint. Place the hinges in the stainless steel pot and fill it with water to the point that the hinges are submerged. The hinges should rest in the pan for about 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to remove the pins. After the pins have been loosen, you can remove the hinges from the frame and door. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, however it is recommended to make use of a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver has been specially designed to pick up metal screws and assist you in getting the task accomplished much faster. Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is recommended to spray them with oil. A simple lubricant can help the process to go more quickly and help you remove the pins and screws. This type of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores and home improvement stores. The number of hinges required will also depend on the kind of door you have and how it's installed. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors with a lighter weight might require just two or three. It is also important to understand the different types of hinges in order to determine which ones will be the most effective for your particular situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges need to be able to support lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Over time, the hinges of doors may loosen and begin to slide or hang crookedly. This can be a major issue, but the solution is usually easy. Most of the time, a simple retightening of the screw will solve the issue. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it can be difficult to fix. There is a trick to get these holes back to their original size using a wooden dowel. Begin by drilling the old hole with a drill bit close to the new screw size (normally 3/8"). Then, you can use wood glue and a dowel made of wood to fill in the hole. The dowel should be cut to a length similar to the screw to ensure a snug fit. Install the screw again and tighten it to the desired degree of tightness. If the door continues to bind up, add another dowel into the gap. Repeat the procedure. Make sure to close the door slowly in order to check the perimeter clearances after each adjustment. You can also use a wooden plug in place of the dowel. It works similarly, but it may take a bit longer to install. You can insert the wood piece which has been cut to the proper size. If you don't have a woodworking tool You can also make use of toothpicks or wooden matches. Make use of a countersink in order to make the hole smaller than the head of screw after you have put it back in place. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edge of the doors when they are opened and closed. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws after reinstalling hinges. Once you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to coat it with a dry lubricant to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can apply products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. You should apply a thin coat and wait for around 15 minutes to fully penetrate the hinge barrel. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not ready to replace your hinges, try a few fixes. Make sure the screws that attach the hinge plate to both the door frame as well as the frame are tight. If they are loose, tighten them by using a drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten the screws to the point that they create gaps in the trim joints or, even more damagingly, strip the threads. If the issue is that the hinge plates are separating 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 and toothpicks provide a solid base for the screws, which will stop the plates from shifting when you drive them in. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge. Another reason that causes loose hinges is that the screws are damaged or gone. This issue can be resolved by replacing the screws. Make sure you use a drill bit that matches the size of the screw hole in order to avoid drilling into other parts of the jamb or hinge. Close the door once you've reattached your hinge and check 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 caused by a door that was not properly hung. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/birmingham-window-hinge-repairs-near-me/ should not be a problem as long as the hinges are installed correctly. If the hinges seem loose, you could add an extra thick hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will allow the hinges more space. You can also take off the hinge pin and then pound it down with a heavy hammer in order to tighten it, or install an entirely new hinge. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba in order to reduce friction and hold them in position. Regularly lubricating your hinges will help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also extend their life. Cleaning the Hinges The friction generated by a hinge's constant movement draws dust particles. These particles can get stuck and accumulate over time in the moving parts of door hinges if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. As a result the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance may be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections will maintain the quality and function of hinges that are attached to doors. Check the hinges to see how much rust has formed on their surface. If the rust is so bad 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 are able to save the hinges, remove any loose rust by using wire brush and steel wool. Then, apply a rust remover from a commercial store or a homemade solution, such as lemon juice on the hinge. Let the solution that removes rust be on the hinges for a few minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust. If you don't wish to spend time and money to replace your hinges, simply retightening the screws can bring back the hinge's functionality. If you have stripped the screw holes, however, it may be necessary to attach the dowel of wood or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods of various sizes and lengths. They are available at home improvement stores as well as woodworking supply and craft shops, or online. A shim can also be made from metal or plastic, depending on the kind of hinge you've got. 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 carpenter's glue before inserting it into the stripped hole and let the glue hold the dowel in the right position. Before you begin cleaning the hinges, lay down a towel or a paper towel to shield floors and other surfaces from accidental spills and drips. After the area is secured and dry, clean the hinges with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth coated with a mild cleaner or vinegar to remove dirt, grime, and tarnish. You can use a toothbrush or small brush to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices or tight areas.