How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge
Fixing a loose door hinge can be a manageable task for most homeowners. If the screws' holes are shattered and do not hold screws, you may require dowels and wood glue in order to reinstall the door hinge.
Remove any surface that has rust. This will help keep the dowels in place and give them a solid base to hold onto.
Take off the Hinges
Many standard door hinges can be removed, which makes it easier to move a door from one side of the frame to the other or take the entire door off when needed. Anyone with a little patience can take the hinges off, but you must be aware of what to do.
If the hinges are painted, you'll need to get rid of the paint before attempting to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint could flake off and scratch your door when you try to lift it. Put the hinges in a stainless steel pot and fill it up with water to the point that the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for 30 minutes. The heat of 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 frame and door. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended to make use of a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to take out metal screws and aid you in getting the job accomplished much faster.
Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is recommended to spray them with a oil. A simple lubricant will help the process to go 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 required will also depend on the type of door you have and how it is set up. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors that weigh less may only require two or three hinges.
Understanding the various types of hinges will help you determine which one is best for your needs. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the weight of the door however, interior hinges will need to be able to handle lighter loads.
Reattaching the Hinges
Over time, a door hinge can become loose and start to slide or hang crookedly. This can cause problems, but it's usually easy to fix. Retightening the screw will typically solve the problem. If the screw holes have been stripped out, it could be difficult to do. Fortunately, there is a trick to make these holes back to their original size that uses a wood dowel.
Start by drilling out the hole from the previous one using the drill bit that is close to the size of the new screw (typically 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 secure fit. Reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired level of tightness. If the door continues to bind up, add another dowel into the gap. Repeat the procedure. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure that the clearances around the perimeter are correct.
You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. This will work as well however it will take a bit longer to install. You can insert the wood piece that has been whittled down to the proper size. If you don't have an instrument for woodworking, you can use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks.
Use a countersink to make the hole smaller for the head of the screw after you have installed it. This will prevent the screw from hitting the edges of the doors as they are closed and opened. This will make it easier to tighten the screws before 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 use products like PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and give it about 15 minutes to fully penetrate the barrel of the hinge.
Refinishing the Hinges
If you're not sure if you're ready to replace the hinges on your door, you can do a few simple repairs. The first step is to make sure whether the screws that secure the hinge plate to the door and frame are tight. 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 problem is the hinge plates are separating they can be reattached to the plates by putting wood glue to the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks provide a solid base for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting when you push them in. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.
The screws may also be damaged or missing. It is possible to fix this issue by replacing the screws with longer ones. Make sure you use a drill bit that matches the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into other parts of the jamb or hinge.
Once you've reattached the hinge shut the door and look at the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of a nickel all around or less if there's a gap that was caused by a previous door that hung improperly. If the hinges were set up properly, this shouldn't be a problem.
If read page seem loose, you can add an extra thick hinge between the surface of the hinge plate and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges more room. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the problematic hinge and pounding it with a hammer in order to make it more secure or using a new hinge pin altogether. It is also possible to lubricate the hinges using mineral or jojoba oil to reduce friction and aid in holding their place. Lubricating your hinges regularly will help keep them from becoming stiff and squeaky, and also prolong their lifespan.
Cleaning the Hinges
The friction caused by the hinge's constant motion attracts dust particles. Without regular cleaning and lubrication, the particles become stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and then build up over time. In the end the hinge can become stiff and creaky and its appearance may deteriorate rapidly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection can help preserve the integrity of a hinged door and ensure their proper function.
Check the hinges for the accumulation of rust. If the rust has corroded to the point of damaging the surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you will need to replace the hinges. If you can save the hinges, clean any loose rust by using wire brush and steel wool. Apply a commercial rust-removing solution or homemade solution like lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust-removing solution be on the hinges for a few minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust.
Retightening screws can help restore hinge function If you don't wish to spend time or money on repairing hinges. It is possible to attach an shim of wood or a dowel to the hinge if the screw holes have been degraded. Wooden dowels are round pieces of wood in the form of rods, which are available in different lengths and diameters. You can purchase them on the internet, at woodworking supply stores and home improvement stores.
A shim can be made of a piece of plastic or metal, based on the type of hinge you've got. To make a dowel cut a piece of wood dowel or other sturdy material to the desired size. You can dip the dowel into carpenter's adhesive and insert it in the hole. The glue will secure the dowel in the position.
Before cleaning the hinges put down a piece of paper cloth or towel to shield your flooring from spills. After the area is secured then clean the hinges using a soft sponge or cloth that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of the build-up of dirt, grime and tarnish. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices and narrow spots.