How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge
Most homeowners can repair a loose hinge. If the screws' holes have been stripped and will not hold screws, you might require dowels and wood glue in order to reinstall the hinge.
Before you do that though scrub away any the surface rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid base to rest on.
Eliminating the Hinges
A variety of 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 in the event of need. Anyone with a bit of patience can take the hinges off, but you need to know what to do.
If the hinges have been painted, you will need to remove the paint prior to attempting to remove the pins. You may scratch your door if don't remove the paint. Put the hinges in an stainless steel pot and fill it with water until the hinges are completely submerged. Allow the hinges to sit in the pan for approximately 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to get rid of the pins.
Once the pins are removed, take the hinges and frame from the door. You can make use of a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended that you employ a magnetic screwdriver to complete this project. This type of screwdriver is specially designed to pick up screws made of metal and will help you get the job accomplished much faster.
Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is recommended to spray them with a grease. A simple lubricant can help you to accelerate the process and also remove the pins and screws with ease. This type 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 differ based on the type of door and its configurations. Heavier and solid-cored doors will require more hinges, whereas lighter and hollow-cored doors may only need two or three.
Understanding the different types of hinges will help determine which one is suitable for your needs. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the weight of the door, while interior hinges will have to be able to support lighter loads.
Reattaching the Hinges
Over time, the hinges of doors may lose its grip and then begin to slide or hang crookedly. This could be a problem however, it's usually simple to repair. Most of the time it's a simple tightening of the screw will fix the issue. However when the screw holes have been stripped out, this may be more difficult. However, there is a trick to make the holes back in place that utilizes a wood dowel.
Start by drilling out the hole from the previous one using the drill bit that is similar to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length the same as 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 does not stop bind up, add another dowel into the gap. Repeat the procedure. Make sure to close the door slowly in order to examine the clearances around the perimeter after each adjustment.
You can also use a wooden plug in place of the dowel. It works equally well, but may take a little longer to put in. Simply whittle a chunk of wood to the right size for a snug fit, then press it into the hole. If you don't have a tool for woodworking you could also use toothpicks or wooden matches as well.
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 when they are opened and closed. This will aid in tightening the screw after installing the hinge.
After reinstalling the hinge, make sure to lubricate the hinge using an oil-based lubricant that is dry. This will prevent it from becoming stuck in the future. You can use products like PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and wait for about 15 minutes to fully get into the hinge barrel.
Refinishing the Hinges
If you're not ready to replace your hinges, you can try a few easy fixes. Make sure the screws that hold the hinge plate to both the door frame and frame are in good condition. If they are loose, tighten them using a power drill or screwdriver. Be cautious not to over tighten the screws, because this could create gaps at the trim joints or worse, strip out the threads.
If the issue is that the hinge plates are separated from the jamb and door and jamb, you can fix them by applying wood glue to the back of the plates and then 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 place. Let the glue dry before attaching the hinge.
The screws can also be damaged or missing. This can be corrected by replacing the screws. Be sure to use a drill bit that matches the size of the screw hole in order to avoid drilling into other parts of the jamb or hinge.
Close the door once you've reattached the hinge and examine the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be the thickness of a penny or less if the old door was not properly hung. If the hinges were installed properly, this shouldn't be an issue.
If the hinges are still loose, try adding a stronger hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges more room. You can also take off the hinge pin and then pound it down with a powerful hammer in order to tighten it, or install the hinge of a different type. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral oil or jojoba in order to reduce friction and help keep them in place. Regularly lubricating your hinges will aid in keeping them from becoming stiff or squeaky, and will also extend their life.
Cleaning the Hinges
The friction created by the constant movement of a hinge draws dust particles. Without regular cleaning and lubrication, the particles become stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and accumulate over time. As a result the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance may be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection will preserve the quality and function of hinges on a door.
Inspect the hinges to see how much rust has accumulated on their surfaces. 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, you should first clean off any loose rust with steel wool and wire brushes. Then apply a rust remover from a commercial store or homemade solution like lemon juice on the hinge. Let the rust remover remain on the hinge for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion.
If you don't want to spend money and time replacing your hinges, simply retightening the screws will bring back the hinge's functionality. It is possible to attach dowel or shim made of wood to the hinge when the screws have been shaved. Dowels made of wood are square pieces of wood that are in the form of rods which are available in varying lengths and diameters. They are available at home improvement stores or woodworking supply shops, or online.
A shim can be made of a piece of plastic or metal, based on the kind of hinge you've got. To make repair door frame hinge side repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk cut a dowel from wood to the desired length. You can then dip the dowel in a carpenter's glue and insert it into the stripped hole, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in place.
Before you start cleaning the hinges, put down a towel or a paper towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from drips and spills that could happen. After the area has been secured and dry, clean the hinges using a soft cloth or sponge dipped in a mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of built-up dirt, grime and tarnish. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or difficult spots.