Ten Pinterest Accounts To Follow Fix Door Hinge

How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

Fixing a loose door hinge can be a doable job for the majority of homeowners. However, if the holes for screws are smashed and won't hold screws you might have to add dowels and wood glue before you can install the hinge.

Clean up any surface that has rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid foundation to rest on.

Removal of the Hinges

Many standard door hinges are able to be removed, making it easier to move the door from one side to the next or to remove the entire door off the frame, if needed. Removing the hinges is fairly easy for anyone with a little patience, although you need to know how to do it properly.

If the hinges are painted, you'll need to get rid of the paint before attempting to remove the pins. If you do not, the paint may peel off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. Put the hinges in a stainless steel pot and fill it up with water until the hinges are submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to get rid of the pins.

After the pins are loosening and the pins are loose, you can take off the hinges from the frame and door. It is possible to use a regular screwdriver, but it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to take out metal screws and will help you get the job accomplished much faster.

Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is a good idea to spray them with some grease. A simple lubricant can help you to speed up the process and remove the pins and screws more easily. You can find this type of lubricant in most hardware and home improvement stores.

The number of hinges you need will also vary depending on what type of door you have and the way it's installed. Heavier doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors that weigh less may only require two or three hinges.

It is also crucial to be aware of the various kinds of hinges in order to determine which ones will best suit your needs. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the weight of the door, while interior hinges will have to be able to handle lighter loads.

Reattaching the Hinges

Sometimes a door hinge will loosen over time and start to hang crookedly or sag. This can be a major problem, but the fix is usually quite simple. Most of the time it's a simple tightening of the screw will solve the problem. However when the screw holes have been stripped out, this can be more difficult. Fortunately, there is a trick to make these holes tight again that utilizes a wood dowel.

Begin by drilling the hole using a drill bit close to the new screw size (normally 3/8"). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length similar to the screw to ensure a snug fit. Reinstall the screw and tighten it until you are satisfied with the level of tightness. If the door continues to have the tendency to be bowed, then add another dowel to the gap and 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 a wood plug instead of a dowel. It works just as well but might take a little longer to install. Simply whittle a chunk of wood to the proper size to ensure a secure fit, then tap it into the hole. If you don't have a tool for woodworking you could also make use of toothpicks or wooden matches as well.

Use a countersink to make the hole smaller than the head of screw after you have installed it.  RepairMyWindowsAndDoors  will stop the screw from hitting the edge 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 dry lubricant. This will help to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are excellent options. Apply a thin coat and give it approximately 15 minutes to get into the barrel of the hinge.

Refinishing the Hinges

If you're not ready to replace hinges, you could try a few simple fixes. The first step is to make sure that the screws holding the hinge plate to the door and frame are tight. If they are loose, tighten them using a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten your screws so tight that they create gaps in the trim joints or, even more damagingly remove the threads.

If the issue is that the hinge plates are breaking and you want to reattach the plates by applying wood glue on the back of them and inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks create an solid foundation for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting as you push them in. Allow the glue time to dry before reattaching the hinge.

Another reason for loose hinges is that screws are worn out or missing. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with longer ones. Be sure to 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 close the door and examine 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 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 the hinges seem loose, you could add a thicker hinge between the surface of the hinge plate and the mounting surface. This will allow the hinges more space. You can also remove the hinge pin and then pound it down with a powerful hammer to tighten it or use a new hinge. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral or jojoba oil to reduce friction and assist in keeping their position. Periodically lubricating your hinges can help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also extend their life.

Cleaning the Hinges

A hinge's continuous movement creates friction, which 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. In the end the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance may get worse. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections can maintain the integrity of a hinged door and ensure their proper operation.

Check the hinges for rust accumulation. If the rust is 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, begin by brushing off any loose rust with steel wool and wire brushes. Apply a commercial rust-removing product or homemade solutions like lemon juice on the hinge. Let the rust remover remain on the hinge for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust.

If you don't want to spend cost and time to replace your hinges, simply retightening the screws can bring back the hinge's functionality. If you have stripped the screw holes however, it might be necessary to add a wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Wooden dowels come in round rods of various sizes and lengths. You can find them at home improvement stores or woodworking supply shops, or online.

You can also create an shim out of metal or plastic depending on the type hinge you have. To make a dowel, you need to cut an unfinished dowel into the desired length. You can then dip the dowel in a glue for carpenters and then insert it into the hole that you have stripped, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in the right position.

Before cleaning the hinges, put down a cloth or towel to shield your flooring from spills. After the area is secured then clean the hinges using an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth dipped in a mild cleaner or vinegar to eliminate the build-up of dirt, grime and tarnish. You can make use of a toothbrush or a small brush to get into difficult-to-reach areas in crevices and tight areas.