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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Most homeowners can repair a loose hinge. If the screw holes have been stripped and will not hold screws, you could need to use wood glue and dowels to fix the door hinge. Clean up any surface corrosion. This will help to keep the dowels in place and provide a solid base for them to grip onto. Eliminating the Hinges Most hinges on doors can be removed, which makes it easier to move the door from one side to the other or take the entire door off of the frame if need be. The removal of the hinges is easy for anyone with a bit of patience, but you have to know how to do it properly. If the hinges have been painted you'll need to take off it before you attempt to remove the pins. It is possible to scratch your door if you do not remove the paint. To break the seal of the paint, place the hinges in an stainless steel pan and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. The hinges should remain in the pan for approximately 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to take off the pins. Once the pins have been removed, take the hinges and the frame from the door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, however it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver is designed to grab screws made of metal and can make the work go much faster. It is a good idea to spray some lubricant on the hinges before attempting to remove them. A simple lubricant will help the process move along quickly and make it easier to remove the screws and pins. This kind of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores and home improvement stores. You should also keep in mind that the number of hinges you'll need will vary depending on the door's type and its configurations. Heavier and solid-cored doors will require more hinges while hollow-cored and lighter doors might only require two or three hinges. It is also important to be aware of the various kinds 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 a door, whereas hinges for interior use must be able to support heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes, the hinges on doors become looser over time and begin to hang crookedly or sag. It could be a huge issue, but the solution is usually easy. Retightening the screw will typically resolve the issue. If the screw holes have been stripped out, it can be a challenge to complete. There is a trick to get these holes back to their original size that utilizes a wood dowel. Begin by drilling the old hole using a drill bit close to the new screw size (normally 3/8”). Fill in the hole with wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length similar to the screw to ensure a snug fit. Install the screw again and tighten it until you are satisfied with the tightness. If the door continues to have the tendency to be bowed, then add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Be sure to shut the door slowly so that you can check the perimeter clearances after each adjustment. Another option is to just use an old-fashioned wood plug instead of a dowel. It will work similarly, but it may take a little longer to install. You can use a piece of wood which has been cut to the right size. If you don't have a wooden tool, you can also try using toothpicks or wooden matches. Use a countersink to make the hole smaller than the head of screw after you have installed it. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edges of the doors when they are opened and closed. This will make it easier to tighten the screws after replacing hinges. Once you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to lubricate it using a dry lubricant to ensure that it doesn't get stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are great options. Apply a thin coat and give it around 15 minutes to fully penetrate the barrel of the hinge. Refinishing the Hinges If you are not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you could make a few repairs. Check that the screws that hold the hinge plate in place to the door frame as well as the frame are in good condition. If they're loose, tighten them by using a drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten your screws to the point that they cause gaps at the trim joints, or even worse remove the threads. If the issue is that the hinge plates are separated from the jamb and door, you can reattach them by applying wood glue to the back of the plates and then inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. The toothpicks or dowels will serve as a solid base for the screws and help prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into position. Allow the glue time to dry before reattaching your hinge. Another reason for loose hinges is that screws are worn out or gone. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with larger ones. Make sure the drill bit is exactly the same size as the screw hole to prevent drilling into the hinge or jamb. Close the door once you have reattached your hinge and examine the gap between the frame and the door. It should be approximately the thickness of a nickel all the way around, or less if there's a gap created by a door that was not properly hung. This should not be a problem if the hinges are installed correctly. If you notice that the hinges are still loose, you can try adding an extra thicker shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to give an extra inch of space. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the problem hinge and pounding it down with a hammer to make it more secure or using a new hinge pin altogether. hinged door repairs can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to reduce 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 A hinge's continuous movement causes friction, which attracts dust particles. These particles may get stuck and build up in the moving parts of door hinges if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. As a result the hinge can become stiff and creaky and its appearance could deteriorate rapidly. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection can preserve the quality of a door's hinges and ensure their proper function. Inspect the hinges to see how much rust has formed on their surface. 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 are able to save the hinges, begin by brushing away loose rust using 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 a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion. If you do not want to spend the time and money to replace hinges, simply tightening the screws can make the hinges functional again. If you've stripped the screws' holes however, it could be necessary to attach an wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods of varying sizes and lengths. You can purchase them online, in woodworking supply shops and at home improvement stores. You can also create an shim using either plastic or metal, depending on the kind of hinge you have. To make a dowel, cut a dowel from wood to the desired length. You can then dip a dowel into the adhesive of a carpenter and place it in the hole. The glue will secure the dowel in place. 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 with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth dipped in a mild cleaner or vinegar to remove dirt, grime, and tarnish. You can make use of a toothbrush or a small brush to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices or tight areas.