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 may require dowels and wood glue to fix the door hinge. Clean up any surface rust. This will help keep the dowels in their place and provide an adequate base for them to grip onto. Removing 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 take the entire door off if necessary. Anyone who is patient can take the hinges off, but you need to know what to do. If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to get rid of the paint prior to attempting to remove the pins. It is possible to scratch your door if you don't remove the paint. To break the seal of the paint, place the hinges in an stainless steel pan and fill the pan with water until the hinges are completely submerged. The hinges should remain in the pan for around 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint making it easier to take off. After the pins have been loosen and the pins are loose, you can take off the hinges from the door and frame. It is possible to use a regular screwdriver, but it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver was created to remove screws made of steel and can make the work run much more quickly. Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is recommended to spray them with grease. A simple lubricant will allow you speed up the process and also remove the pins and screws with ease. You can purchase this kind of lubricant at a variety of hardware and home improvement stores. The number of hinges needed will also differ based on the kind of door you have and the way it is set up. Doors with a heavier core and solid-core will require more hinges while hollow-core doors that weigh less may only require two or three. It is also important to be aware of the various kinds of hinges to decide which one will be the most effective for your particular situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to withstand the weight of a door, whereas interior hinges must be able to handle heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes, a hinge on a door will loosen over time and start to hang out of alignment or sag. This could be a problem however, it's usually simple to repair. Retightening the screw will typically solve the problem. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it could be difficult to fix. Fortunately, there is a trick to get these holes tight again that utilizes a wood dowel. Begin by drilling out the old hole using an appropriate drill bit 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 tight fit, the dowel must be cut at the same length as the screw. After that, reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired tightness. If the door still has a tendency to bind, then add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Be sure to close the door slowly to examine the clearances around the perimeter after each adjustment. You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. It will work equally well, but may take a little longer to set up. Simply whittle a piece of wood to the right size for a snug fit, then press it into the hole. If you don't own an instrument for woodworking, you can use toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood. Once 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 much easier to tighten the screws before reinstalling hinges. After reinstalling the hinge, make sure to lubricate the hinge using a dry lubricant. This will prevent it from becoming stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are excellent options. Apply a thin layer of it and allow it to penetrate the hinge barrel for about 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you could make a few minor repairs. The first step is to check whether the screws that secure the hinge plate to the door frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten the screws so much that they create gaps in the trim joints, or even worse, strip the threads. If the problem is that the hinge plates are separated from the jamb and door, you can reattach them by applying wood glue to the plate's back and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. The dowels or toothpicks give a solid foundation for the screws and help to prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into the holes. Allow the glue to dry before reattaching the hinge. Another reason for loose hinges is that the screws are damaged or gone. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with longer ones. Use a drill that is similar to the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into the hinge or jamb. Once you've reattached the hinge close the door and examine the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be the thickness of a penny or less if an older door was not properly hung. If the hinges were put in place correctly, this shouldn't be a problem. If the hinges still seem loose, you could add a thicker hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges more space. You can also remove the hinge pin and pound it down with a powerful hammer in order to tighten it or use an entirely new hinge. It is also possible to lubricate the hinges with mineral or Jojoba oil to reduce friction and help them hold their position. Lubricating your hinges regularly will help keep them from becoming stiff and squeaky, and also extend their lifespan. Cleaning the Hinges The friction caused by the constant movement of a hinge draws dust particles. These particles can become stuck and accumulate over time in the moving parts of door hinges if they are not cleaned and lubricated regularly. As a result the hinge can become stiff and creaky and its appearance may be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection can help preserve the quality of a hinge on a door and ensure its proper function. Examine the hinges for corrosion. If the corrosion has reached the point of damaging the surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you will 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. Allow the rust-removing solution to be on the hinges for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust. If you do not want to spend the money and time replacing hinges, tightening the screws can make the hinges functional again. If you've sanded the screws' holes however, it could be necessary to attach a wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/ilford-window-hinge-repairs-near-me/ made of wood are available in round rods of varying sizes and lengths. They can be purchased on the internet, at woodworking supply stores and home improvement stores. You can also make an shim using made of plastic or metal depending on the type hinge you have. To make a dowel, cut a piece made of wooden dowel or other sturdy material to the desired size. You can then dip the dowel in a glue for carpenters and then insert it into the cut hole and let the glue hold the dowel in place. Before cleaning the hinges, lay down a cloth or towel to protect your flooring from spills. After the area has been secured, proceed to clean the hinges with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of built-up dirt, grime and tarnish. A small or toothbrush can be used to access difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or tight places.