15 Terms That Everyone Is In The Fix Door Hinge Industry Should Know How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

The majority of homeowners can fix a loose hinge. However, if the holes for screws are smashed and can't hold screws, you may need to use dowels and wood glue before you can reinstall the hinge.

Before you do that, however scrub away any surface rust. This will help to keep the dowels in their place and provide a solid base for them to grip onto.

Eliminating the Hinges


A lot of 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. It is simple for anyone with a bit of patience, although you need to know how to do it properly.

If the hinges are painted you will need to remove the paint prior to trying to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will peel off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. Place the hinges into the stainless steel pot and fill it up with water until the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for about 30 minutes. The heat of the water will soften the paint, making it easier to take off.

Once the pins have been loose, remove the hinges and the frame from the door. You can make use of a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver was designed to grab 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 move along quickly and aid in the removal of the screws and pins. This type of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores as well as home improvement shops.

The number of hinges required will also depend on the type of door you have and the way it is set up. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors that weigh less might require just two or three hinges.

Understanding the different kinds of hinges will help you determine which one is best for your particular situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to withstand the weight of a door, but interior hinges need to be able support lighter loads.

Reattaching the Hinges

Sometimes a door hinge will loosen over time and start to hang crookedly or slide. It could be a huge problem, but the fix is usually simple. Most of the time it's a simple tightening of the screw will fix the problem. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it can be a challenge to complete. Fortunately, there is a trick to make these holes back to their original size using a wooden dowel.

Begin by drilling out the hole you had previously made using an appropriate drill bit close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. To ensure a secure fit, the dowel must be cut at the same length as the screw. Then, reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired level of tightness. If the door is still unable to be bounded up, insert a second dowel to the gap. Repeat the process. Be sure to close the door slowly so that you can verify the clearances at the perimeter after each adjustment.

Another option is to just use an old-fashioned wood plug instead of a dowel. It works equally well, but may take a little longer to set up. You can tap in the wood piece which has been cut to the right size. If you don't own an instrument for woodworking or toothpicks, you can make use of toothpicks or matchsticks made from wood.

After you have reinstalled the new screw then use a countersink to make the hole for the screw's head smaller, so that it doesn't touch the edge of the door when it's opened and closed. This will make it easier to tighten the screws when installing hinges.

Once you've reinstalled your hinge, be sure to grease 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. 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 door frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using a screwdriver or power drill. Be careful not to tighten the screws so tight that they begin to cause gaps at the trim joints, or even worse remove the threads.

If the issue is that the hinge plates are splitting and you want to reattach the plates by putting wood glue to the back 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 moving as you drive them in. Allow the glue time to dry before you can reattach your hinge.

Another common cause of loose hinges is that the screws are stripped or missing. This problem can be fixed by replacing the screws. Use a drill that is the same size as the screw hole to avoid drilling into the hinge or jamb.

Close the door after you've reattached your hinge and check the gap between the frame and the door. It should be around the thickness of one nickel all the way around, or less if there's a gap caused by a door that hung improperly. If the hinges were installed correctly, this should not be an issue.

If the hinges are still loose, you can add a thicker hinge between the surface of the hinge plate and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges more space. You could also try taking the hinge pin from the troublesome hinge and then pounding it using a hammer to make it more secure or using a new hinge pin altogether. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and hold them in place. Lubricating your hinges regularly will help stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky and also prolong their lifespan.

Cleaning the Hinges

The friction created by the hinge's constant motion attracts dust particles. These particles can get stuck and build up in the moving parts of door hinges, if they're not cleaned and lubricated regularly. The hinge will become stiff and creaky, and its appearance may rapidly deteriorate. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection can preserve the integrity of a hinged door and ensure their proper function.

Check the hinges for the accumulation of rust. 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 can save the hinges, remove any loose rust with a steel wool and wire brush. Apply a commercial rust removal solution or a homemade solution such as lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust-removing solution sit on the hinges for a few minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust.

If you do not want to spend cost and time to replace hinges, tightening the screws will make the hinges functional again. If you've sanded the screw holes however, it could be necessary to add an wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are round pieces of wood in the form of rods which are available in different lengths and diameters. They can be purchased online, in woodworking supply stores and home improvement stores.

You can also make an shim out of either plastic or metal, depending on the kind of hinge you own. 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 into a carpenter's glue and insert it into the stripped hole and let the glue hold the dowel in place.

Before cleaning the hinges, put down a cloth or towel to shield your flooring from spills. After securing door hinge repair near me clean the hinges with a soft sponge or a cloth that has been dipped in a mild cleaner to remove dirt and grime. You can also remove tarnish, dirt, and grime. You can use a toothbrush or small brush to reach hard-to-reach spots in tight spaces and crevices.