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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a loose door hinge is a simple task for most homeowners. If the screws' holes have been stripped and will not hold screws, you might need to use wood glue and dowels in order to reinstall the door hinge. Before you do that though, brush away the surface rust. This will allow the dowels to stay in place and give them a solid foundation to rest on. Removing the Hinges A lot of door hinges can be removed, which makes it easier to move the door from one side to the other or take the entire door off the frame if need be. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges however, you must 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. You could scratch your door if you do not remove the paint. Place the hinges in an stainless steel pot and fill it with water to the point that the hinges are submerged. Allow the hinges to sit in the pan for around 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to take off the pins. After the pins have been loosen, you can remove the hinges from the frame and door. You can employ a screwdriver for the job done, but it is recommended that you make use of a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver is designed to remove screws made of metal and will make the project speed up. Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is a good idea to spray them with some grease. A simple lubricant will help the process go by more quickly and aid in the removal of the pins and screws. 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 type of door you have and the way it's set up. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors with a lighter weight might only require two or three. Understanding the different kinds of hinges can help you determine which one is best for your situation. Exterior hinges are designed to hold the weight of a door, while interior hinges need to be able to support heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Over time, the hinges of doors may loosen and begin to sag or hang crookedly. This can be a major problem, but the fix is usually quite simple. In most cases, a simple retightening of the screw will fix the issue. However, if the screw holes have been stripped out, it can be more difficult to do. Fortunately, there is a method to make these holes tight again that utilizes a wood dowel. Begin by drilling the old hole using a drill bit close to the size of the new screw (normally 3/8”). Fill in the hole with wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length that is similar to the screw to ensure a snug fit. Install the screw again, and tighten to desired level of tightness. If the door continues to have a tendency to bind and close, then you can add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Be sure to shut 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's also possible however it will take some time to put in. Simply whittle a chunk of wood that is the appropriate size for a comfortable fit, then tap it into the hole. If you don't have a woodworking instrument or toothpicks, you can make use of toothpicks or wooden matchsticks. Make use of a countersink in order 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 when they are closed and opened. This will aid in tightening the screw when reinstalling the hinge. After installing the hinge, lubricate the hinge with an oil-based lubricant that is dry. This will prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can apply products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and allow it to take around 15 minutes to fully get into the barrel of the hinge. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not yet ready to replace hinges, you could try a few easy fixes. Make sure the screws that hold the hinge plate to the door frame and the frame are in good condition. If they're loose, tighten them using a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to over tighten the screws as this could cause gaps to form at the trim joints or more seriously, tear out the threads. If the issue is that the hinge plates are breaking away from the door and jamb and jamb, you can fix them by gluing wood glue to the plate's back and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. Dowels or toothpicks will serve as a solid base for the screws and help to prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into place. Allow the glue to dry before reattaching the hinge. Another reason that causes loose hinges is that screws are worn out or missing. This can be corrected 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 hinge or jamb. After you've reattached your hinge shut the door and check the gap between the frame and the door. It should be approximately the thickness of a nickel all the way around, or less if there's an existing gap created by a previous door that was not properly hang. This should not be a problem as long as the hinges are correctly installed. If you find that the hinges remain loose, try adding an extra thicker shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to give a little extra space. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the troublesome hinge and then pounding it with a hammer to make it tighter or using a new hinge pin altogether. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral or jojoba oil to decrease friction and assist in keeping their place. Lubricating Repair My Windows And Doors will help keep them from becoming stiff and squeaky and can also prolong their life. Cleaning the Hinges The continuous movement of hinges creates friction, which draws dust particles. Without regular cleaning and lubrication, these particles become stuck in the moving parts of a hinge for doors and build up over time. In the end the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance could get worse. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection will preserve the quality and function of hinges that are attached to doors. Examine the hinges for corrosion. 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 them. If you are able to save the hinges, remove any loose rust using wire brush and steel wool. Apply a commercial rust-removing product or homemade solution like lemon juice to the hinge. Let the solution that removes rust be on the hinges for a few minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust. Retightening screws can restore hinge function in the event that you don't want to spend time or money on replacing hinges. It may be necessary to add an shim of wood or a dowel to the hinge if the screw holes have been degraded. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods of various sizes and lengths. They can be purchased on the internet, at stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement centers. A shim could also be made from plastic or metal, depending on the kind of hinge you've got. To make a dowel, you need to cut a dowel from wood to the desired length. You can then dip a dowel into carpenter's adhesive and insert it in the hole. The glue will secure the dowel in the desired position. Before you start cleaning the hinges, put down a towel or a paper towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from drips and spills that could happen. After the area has been secured, proceed to clean the hinges using a soft cloth or sponge that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of built-up dirt, grime and tarnish. A small brush or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or tight places.