The Top 5 Reasons People Win In The Fix Door Hinge Industry How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

Fixing a loose door hinge can be a manageable task for the majority of homeowners. If the screws' holes are shattered and do not hold screws, you might need to use dowels and wood glue to put back in the door hinge.

Brush away any surface rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid foundation to rest on.

Take the Hinges off

Many standard door hinges are able to be removed, making it easier to move the door from one side to the other or take the entire door off the frame, if needed. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges, but you must be aware of what to do.


If the hinges have been painted you'll need to take off it prior to trying 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 until the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges rest 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 door and frame. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended that you make use of a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver was created to grab screws made of metal and will make the project run much more quickly.

It is a good practice to spray lubricant on the hinges prior to trying to remove them. A simple lubricant will help you to speed up the process and make the removal of pins and screws with ease. You can purchase this kind of lubricant in most hardware and home improvement stores.

The number of hinges needed will also depend on the type of door you have and how it's installed. Heavier and solid-cored doors will require more hinges whereas hollow-cored and lighter doors might only require two or three hinges.

Understanding the different types of hinges will help determine which one is suitable for your particular situation. window hinges repair repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk are generally designed to support the weight of the door, while interior hinges will need to be able to handle lighter loads.

Reattaching the Hinges

Sometimes, a hinge on a door will loosen over time and start to hang out of alignment or sag. This can cause problems however, it's usually simple to solve. In most cases, a simple retightening of the screw will solve the problem. However, if the screw holes are stripped out, this can be more difficult to do. However, there is a method to make these holes tight again that uses a wood dowel.

Begin by drilling out the hole you had previously made using the drill bit that is close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Then use a wood glue and a wooden dowel to fill the hole. To ensure a secure fit, the dowel must be cut to the same length as the screw. Then, you can reinstall the screw and tighten it until the desired tightness. If the door continues to have the tendency to be bowed the door, then add a second dowel to the gap and repeat the procedure. Be sure to close the door slowly so that you can check the perimeter clearances after each adjustment.

Another option is to make use of an old-fashioned wood plug instead of a dowel. This will work as well however it will take a bit longer to install. You can insert the wood piece which has been cut to the right size. If you don't have a woodworking instrument You can use toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood.

Make use of a countersink to make the hole smaller for the head of the screw after you have put it back in place. This will prevent the screw from rubbing against the edge of the doors when they are closed and opened. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws before replacing hinges.

Once you've reinstalled your hinge, make sure to lubricate it with a dry lubricant in order to ensure that it doesn't get stuck in the future. You can apply products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and allow it to take approximately 15 minutes to get into the barrel of the hinge.

Refinishing the Hinges

If you're not ready to replace your hinges, you can try a few fixes. The first step is to check that the screws securing the hinge plate to the frame and door are tight. If they are loose, tighten them with 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 problem is the hinge plates are breaking, you can reattach the plates by putting wood glue to the back of them and inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. The toothpicks and dowels provide a solid base for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting when you insert them. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.

Another common cause of hinges that are loose is that screws are worn out or are missing. This can be corrected by replacing the screws. Be sure to 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 examine the gap between the door and the frame. The gap should be about the thickness of a penny or less if an older door was hung incorrectly. This should not be a problem as long as the hinges are installed correctly.

If you notice that the hinges are loose, you can try adding a thicker hinge shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface, to create some extra space. You could also try taking the hinge pin from the troublesome hinge and then pounding it with a hammer in order to make it tighter or using an entirely new hinge pin. You can also grease your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to decrease friction and help keep them in their place. Periodically lubricating your hinges can help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and can also extend their life.

Cleaning the Hinges

The continuous movement of hinges causes friction, which attracts dust particles. Without periodic cleaning and lubrication, the particles become stuck in the moving parts of a hinge for doors and then build up over time. In the end the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance could get worse. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections will ensure the integrity and functionality of hinges on doors.

Examine the hinges for signs of the accumulation of rust. If the rust has corroded to the point of destroying surface of the barrel or screw holes, you will have to replace the hinges. If you can save the hinges, first brush off loose rust using steel wool and a wire brush. Apply a commercial rust removal solution or homemade solutions like lemon juice to the hinge. Allow the rust-removing solution to sit on the hinges for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust.

If you do not want to spend cost and time to replace hinges, simply tightening the screws will make the hinges functional again. It might be necessary to add a wooden shim or dowel to the hinge in the event that the screws have been degraded. Dowels made of wood are round pieces made of wood in the shape of rods that are available in different lengths and sizes. They are available at home improvement stores as well as woodworking supply and craft shops, or online.

You can also make an shim out of made of plastic or metal depending on the type hinge you own. To make a dowel, cut a piece made of wooden dowel or other sturdy material to the size you want. You can then dip the dowel into carpenter's glue before inserting it into the stripped hole, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in the right position.

Before you start cleaning the hinges, lay down a towel or a paper towel to shield floors and other surfaces from spills and drips that may happen. After the area is secured then clean the hinges with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth dipped in a mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of dirt, grime, and tarnish. A small or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices and narrow spots.