How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge
Fixing a door hinge that is loose is a simple task for most homeowners. If the screws' holes are shattered and do not hold screws, you may require wood glue and dowels in order to reinstall the door hinge.
Before you do this, however, brush away surface rust. This will help keep the dowels in place and give them an adequate base for them to rest on.
Removal of the Hinges
Most hinges on doors are removable, 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. It is simple for anyone with a little patience, although you need to know how to do it right.
If double glazing window hinge repairs have been painted, you'll need to remove it prior to trying to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will be smashed off and scratch your door when you try to lift it. Place the hinges in an stainless steel pot and fill it up with water to the point that the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges rest in the pan for 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to remove the pins.
Once the pins have been loose, remove the hinges and the frame from the door. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended that you use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to take out metal screws and will aid you in getting the job done much faster.
Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is a good idea to spray them with a grease. A simple lubricant will help the process go by more quickly and make it easier to remove the screws and pins. This kind of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores as well as home improvement shops.
The number of hinges needed will also differ based on the type of door you have and how it's installed. Doors with solid cores and heavy weights will require more hinges whereas hollow-cored and lighter doors might only need two or three.
It is also important to know the various types of hinges to determine which ones will be the most effective for your particular situation. Exterior hinges are generally designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges have to be able to handle lighter loads.
Reattaching the Hinges
Sometimes, a hinge on a door will become looser over time and begin to hang out of alignment or slide. It could be a huge problem, but the fix is usually quite simple. A simple tightening can solve the problem. However, if the screw holes have been stripped out, this can be more difficult. There is a method to make these holes tight again that utilizes a wood dowel.
Begin by drilling out the hole you had previously made using a drill bit that is close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Then, use a wood glue as well as a dowel made of wood to fill in the hole. To ensure a snug fit, the dowel must be cut at the same length as the screw. Then, you can reinstall the screw and tighten it until the desired degree of tightness. If the door is still unable to be bounded up, insert a second dowel to the gap. Repeat the process. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure that the perimeter clearances are correct.
Another option is to just make use of the wood plug instead of dowel. This will work just as well but might take a little longer to install. Simply whittle a piece of wood to the proper size to ensure a secure fit, then press it into the hole. If you don't have a woodworking tool, you can also use toothpicks or wooden matches.
After you've reinstalled your new screw and countersink the screw, you can use a countersink tool to make the hole for the head of the screw smaller, so that it doesn't rub against the edge of the door when it is opened and closed. This will aid in tightening the screw prior to you are reinstalling the hinge.
After installing the hinge, lubricate the hinge with an oil-based lubricant that is dry. This will help to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are excellent alternatives. Apply a thin coat and allow it to take about 15 minutes to fully reach the barrel of the hinge.
Refinishing the Hinges
If you're unsure whether to replace hinges, you could try a few simple fixes. 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 your screws so tight that they begin to cause gaps at the trim joints, or even worse cause threads to be stripped.
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 inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels or toothpicks will give a solid foundation for the screws and help keep the plates from moving when you drive them into position. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.
Another common cause of loose hinges is that the screws are stripped or gone. It is possible to fix this issue by replacing the screws with larger ones. Use a drill that is exactly the same size as the screw hole to avoid drilling into the jamb or hinge.
Close the door once you've reattached the hinge and check the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of one nickel all the way around or less if there's an existing gap that was caused by a previous door that hung improperly. This shouldn't be a problem if the hinges are properly installed.
If the hinges seem loose, you can add a stronger hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges a little more space. You can also remove the hinge pin and then pound it down with a heavy hammer to tighten it or use the hinge of a different type. You can also grease your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to decrease friction and keep them in position. Periodically lubricating your hinges can help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also extend their life.
Cleaning the Hinges
The friction created by the hinge's constant motion draws dust particles. These particles can get stuck and build up in the moving parts of door hinges if they're not regularly cleaned and lubricated. As a result, the hinge becomes stiff and creaky, and its appearance can deteriorate rapidly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection can preserve the quality of a door's hinges and ensure their proper function.
Examine the hinges for rust accumulation. If the rust has corroded to the point of damaging the surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you'll have to replace the hinges. If you're able to save the hinges, you can remove any loose rust using wire brush and steel wool. Then apply a rust remover from a commercial store or a homemade solution, such as lemon juice on the hinge. Allow the rust remover to sit on the hinge for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust.
If you do not want to spend money and time replacing your hinges, simply retightening the screws can bring back the hinge's functionality. If you have stripped the screws, however, it may be necessary to add an wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Wooden dowels come in round rods of various sizes and lengths. They can be purchased online, at woodworking supply stores and at home improvement stores.
A shim can also be made from plastic or metal, depending on the kind of hinge you've got. To make a dowel, cut a piece of wood dowel or another 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 you start cleaning the hinges, put down a cloth or paper towel to shield flooring and other surfaces from drips and spills that could happen. After the area is secured and dry, clean the hinges using a soft cloth or sponge dipped in a mild cleaner or vinegar to remove the build-up of dirt, grime and tarnish. A small brush or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices and narrow areas.