How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a loose door hinge can be a manageable task for most homeowners. If the holes for screws have been smashed and will not hold screws, you might need to use dowels and wood glue to put back in the hinge. Remove any surface rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid foundation to grip into. Removing the Hinges A lot of door hinges are able to be removed, making it easier to move the door from one side to the other or to take the entire door off the frame, if needed. Anyone who is patient can take the hinges off, but you must be aware of what to do. If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to take off the paint prior to attempting to remove the pins. If repairmywindowsanddoors don't, the paint will flake off and scratch the door when you attempt to lift it. To break the seal of the paint put the hinges into a stainless steel pan and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for around 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint, making it easier to take off. Once the pins are loosened then you can remove the hinges from the door and frame. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, however it is recommended that you make use of a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver is specifically designed to take out screws made of metal and will assist you in getting the task completed much quicker. Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is a good idea to spray them with a oil. A simple lubricant will allow you speed up the process and remove the pins and screws more easily. This type of lubricant can be found in a variety of hardware stores and home improvement shops. The number of hinges you need will also depend on what type of door you have, and how it is set up. 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 know the various types of hinges to decide which one will work best in your situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the weight of a door, while hinges for interior use must be able support lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes a door hinge will loosen over time and start to hang crookedly or slide. This can be a problem, but it's usually easy to solve. Retightening the screw will typically solve the problem. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it can be difficult to fix. However, there is a trick to get the holes back in place that uses a wood dowel. Begin by drilling the hole with a drill bit close to the size of the new screw (normally 3/8"). Then use a wood glue and dowels made of wood to fill the hole. To ensure a tight fit, the dowel should be cut at the same length as the screw. Reinstall the screw, and tighten to desired degree of tightness. If the door does not stop bind up, you can insert another dowel into the gap. Repeat the process. Be sure to shut the door slowly so that you can verify the clearances at the perimeter after each adjustment. You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. This is also a viable option however it may take a bit longer to install. Simply whittle a piece of wood to the right size for a snug fit, then press it into the hole. If you don't have an instrument for woodworking or toothpicks, you can make use of toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood. Make use of a countersink to make the hole smaller than the head of screw after you have installed it. This will prevent the screw from hitting the edge of the doors when they are closed and opened. This will make it easier to tighten the screws after replacing hinges. Once you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to grease it with a dry lubricant in order to ensure that it doesn't get stuck in the future. You can use products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. You should apply a thin coat and give it around 15 minutes to fully reach the barrel of the hinge. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not sure if you're ready to replace the hinges on your door, you could do a few simple repairs. Verify that the screws that hold the hinge plate to both the door frame as well as the frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them with a screwdriver or power drill. Be careful not to tighten the screws so tight that they create gaps at the trim joints or, even more damagingly, strip the threads. If the problem is the hinge plates are separating, you can reattach the plates by putting wood glue to the side of them and inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. Dowels or toothpicks will give a solid foundation for the screws and help to prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into place. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge. The screws could also be damaged or missing. This can be fixed by replacing the screws with larger ones. Make sure you use the correct drill bit for the size of the screw hole in order to avoid drilling into other parts of the hinge or jamb. Once you've reattached the hinge close the door and look at the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of a nickel all around, or less if there's a gap that was caused by a previous door that hung improperly. This should not be a problem if hinges are properly installed. If the hinges seem loose, you could add a stronger hinge between the surface of the hinge plate and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges a little more room. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the problem hinge and then pounding it with a hammer to make it tighter or using a new hinge pin altogether. You can also lubricate the hinges with mineral or Jojoba oil to lessen friction and aid in holding their place. Lubricating your hinges frequently will stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky and also prolong their lifespan. Cleaning the Hinges The friction created by the constant movement of a hinge attracts dust particles. These particles can become stuck and accumulate over time 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 may be damaged quickly. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections will maintain the functionality and quality of hinges that are attached to doors. Inspect the hinges to see how much rust has accumulated on their surface. If the rust has corroded to the point of destroying surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you'll need to replace the hinges. If you are able to save the hinges, you can remove any loose rust by using steel wool and wire brush. Apply a commercial rust removal solution or homemade solution like lemon juice on the hinge. Allow the rust-removing solution to sit on the hinges for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust. Retightening screws can restore hinge functionality in the event that you don't want to spend money or time on repairing hinges. It is possible to add dowel or shim made of wood to the hinge in the event that the screws have been stripped. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods of various sizes and lengths. You can find them at home improvement centers or woodworking supply shops, or online. You can also create an shim using made of plastic or metal depending on the type hinge you own. To make a dowel cut a piece of wooden dowel or any other durable material to the desired size. 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 the right position. Before you start cleaning the hinges, place down a towel or a paper towel to shield flooring and other surfaces from spills and drips that may happen. After the area is secured, proceed to clean the hinges with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of 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.
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