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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Most homeowners can fix a loose hinge. If, however, the screw holes are damaged and can't hold screws, you might need to use dowels and wood glue before you can reinstall the hinge. Before you do that though you should clean off any the surface rust. This will help to keep the dowels in their place and provide a solid foundation for them to grip onto. Removing the Hinges Many standard door hinges can be removed, making it easier to move a door from one side of the frame to the other or remove the entire door if necessary. 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 the paint before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint could be smashed off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. To break the seal of the paint put the hinges into a stainless steel dish and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Allow the hinges to sit in the pan for about 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. replacement window hinges near me Repair My Windows And Doors is possible to use a regular screwdriver, however a magnetic screwdriver is recommended for this project. This type of screwdriver was created to pick up screws made of metal and make the task go much faster. Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is recommended to spray them with a lubricant. A simple lubricant will help you to accelerate the process and make the removal of pins and screws with ease. This kind of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores and home improvement stores. The number of hinges required will also depend on the kind of door you have and the way it's installed. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors with a lighter weight may only require two or three hinges. It is also important to know the various types of hinges in order to decide which one will work best in your situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the weight of the door and interior hinges have to be able to handle lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes, a hinge on a door will get looser and eventually begin to hang in a crooked manner or sag. This can be a major problem, but the fix is usually quite simple. In most cases, a simple retightening of the screw will resolve the problem. If the screw holes have been stripped out, it can be difficult to do. Fortunately, there is a method to make these holes back to their original size that uses a wood dowel. Start by drilling the old hole with a drill bit close to the new screw size (normally 3/8”). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. To ensure a secure fit, the dowel should be cut to the same length as the screw. Then, reinstall the screw and tighten it until the desired degree of tightness. If the door does not stop bind up, you can insert another dowel to the gap. Repeat the procedure. Be sure to shut the door slowly to verify the clearances at the perimeter after each adjustment. You can also use a wooden plug in place of the dowel. It's also possible however it may take some time to set up. Simply whittle a piece of wood that is the right size for a snug fit, then press it into the hole. If you don't have a woodworking instrument You can use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks. Make use of a countersink in order to make the hole smaller than the head of screw after you have reinstalled it. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edges of the doors as they are opened and closed. This will make it easier to tighten the screw prior to installing the hinge. Once you have reinstalled the hinge, make sure to lubricate it with a dry lubricant in order to help keep it from getting stuck in the future. Products such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are great options. Apply a thin coating and allow it to penetrate the hinge barrel for about 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not yet ready to replace your hinges, you can try a few easy fixes. Verify that the screws that hold the hinge plate to the door frame and frame are in good condition. If they're loose, tighten them using a screwdriver or power drill. Be careful not to tighten your screws so much that they cause gaps at the trim joints or, even more damagingly, strip the threads. If the problem is that the hinge plates are separated from the door and jamb it is possible to reattach them by gluing wood glue to the back of the plates and then inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. The dowels or toothpicks provide a solid base for the screws and help keep the plates from moving when you drive them into the holes. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge. The screws could also be stripped or missing. This issue can be resolved by replacing the screws. Be sure to use a drill bit that is compatible with the size of the screw hole in order to avoid drilling into other parts of the hinge or jamb. Close the door after you've reattached your hinge and measure the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be the thickness of a penny or less if the old door was hung incorrectly. If the hinges were installed correctly, this should not be an issue. If you notice that the hinges remain loose, you can try adding a thicker hinge shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to add a little extra space. You can also remove the hinge pin and then pound it down with a heavy hammer in order to tighten it, or install the hinge of a different type. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral or jojoba oil to reduce friction and help them hold their position. Lubricating your hinges regularly can help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also extend their life. Cleaning the Hinges The continuous movement of hinges creates friction, which attracts dust particles. If there is no regular cleaning or lubrication, the particles become stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and then build up over time. The hinge will get stiff and creaky, and its appearance may rapidly deteriorate. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections will maintain the quality and function of hinges on doors. Examine the hinges for rust accumulation. If the rust is so bad that it has damaged the surface of the screw holes or the barrel of the hinge, you'll have to replace the hinges. If you are able to save the hinges, first brush off any loose rust with steel wool and wire brushes. Then, apply a commercial rust remover or a homemade solution such as lemon juice on the hinge. Allow the rust remover to remain on the hinge for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion. If you don't wish to spend money and time replacing hinges, tightening the screws will bring back the hinge's functionality. It may be necessary to attach a wooden shim or dowel to the hinge if the screw holes have been stripped. Dowels made of wood are round pieces of wood that are in the form of rods, which are available in varying lengths and diameters. They can be purchased online, in stores selling woodworking supplies and at home improvement stores. A shim can be made of a piece of plastic or metal, based on the type of hinge you have. To make a dowel, you need to cut a dowel from wood to 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 desired position. Before you begin cleaning the hinges, lay down a paper or cloth towel to shield floors and other surfaces from drips and spills that could happen. After you have protected the area clean the hinges with a soft sponge or cloth dipped into a mild cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and tarnish. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or difficult places.