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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Most homeowners can fix a loose hinge. If the screw holes have been stripped and will not hold screws, you may require dowels and wood glue to fix the hinge. Brush away any surface rust. This will aid in keeping the dowels in place and provide a solid foundation to hold onto. Take off the Hinges Many standard door hinges can be removed, making it simpler to move a door from one side of the frame to the other side or remove the entire door if necessary. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges but you need to know what to do. If the hinges are painted you'll need to get rid of the paint prior to trying to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will flake off and scratch your door when you try to lift it. Place the hinges in an stainless steel pot and fill it up with water to the point that the hinges are submerged. The hinges should remain in the pan for about 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 loosened, remove the hinges and the frame from the door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, but it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver is designed to grab screws made of metal and will make the project run much more quickly. It is a good idea to spray lubricant on the hinges before attempting to remove them. A simple lubricant will help you to move the process along faster and also remove the screws and pins easier. This kind of lubricant is able to be found in a variety of hardware stores and home improvement stores. It is important to keep in mind that the number of hinges you will need will vary based on the door's type and the settings. Solid-cored and heavier doors will require more hinges whereas hollow-cored and lighter doors might only require two or three hinges. Understanding the different kinds of hinges will help decide which one is the best for your particular situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to support the door's weight however, interior hinges will need to be able to handle heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes, a hinge on a door will loosen over time and start to hang out of alignment or slide. This can cause problems however, it's usually simple to repair. Most of the time an easy tightening of the screw will solve the problem. However in the event that the screw holes have been stripped out, it can be more difficult to accomplish. There is a trick to make the holes back in place that uses a wood dowel. Begin by drilling the hole using a drill close to the size of the new screw (normally 3/8”). Then use wood glue and a dowel made of wood to fill in the hole. To ensure a secure fit, the dowel should be cut at the same length as the screw. After that, reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired tightness. If the door continues to bind up, insert a second dowel to the gap. Repeat the process. Be window hinges replacement to close the door slowly so that you can examine the clearances around the perimeter after each adjustment. Another option is to just utilize an old-fashioned wood plug instead of dowel. It's also possible however it may take some time to put in. You can use the wood piece which has been cut to the right size. If you don't have a woodworking instrument You can use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks. Make use of a countersink to make the hole smaller for the head of screw after you have reinstalled it. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edge of the doors as they are opened and closed. This will allow you to tighten the screw prior to reinstalling the hinge. After installing the hinge, apply lubrication to the hinge using dry lubricant. This will help prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are good alternatives. Apply a thin layer and allow it to soak into the barrel of the hinge for approximately 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you're unsure whether to replace hinges, you could try a few simple fixes. The first step is to check that the screws securing the hinge plate to the frame and door are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using a screwdriver or power drill. Be cautious not to over tighten the screws as this can cause gaps to form at the trim joints, or more seriously, tear out the threads. If the issue is that the hinge plates are splitting and you want to reattach the plates by putting wood glue on the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. The toothpicks and dowels provide an solid foundation for the screws, which will stop the plates from shifting as you insert them. Let the glue dry before you can reattach your hinge. The screws could 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 to avoid drilling into other parts of the jamb or hinge. After you've reattached your hinge close the door and look at the gap between the door and the frame. The gap should be about the thickness of a penny all around or less if an older door was not hung correctly. This shouldn't be a problem as long as the hinges are properly installed. If you notice that the hinges are still loose, try adding the thicker shim of the hinge between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to give a little extra space. You can also remove the hinge pin, then pound it down with a heavy hammer to tighten it or use the hinge of a different type. You can also grease your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and hold them in position. Lubricating your hinges regularly can prevent them from becoming stiff and squeaky and can also prolong their life. Cleaning the Hinges The friction caused by a hinge's constant movement attracts dust particles. Without periodic cleaning and lubrication, the particles become stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and build up over time. The hinge will become stiff and creaky and its appearance could rapidly diminish. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspections will maintain the functionality and quality of hinges that are attached to doors. Examine the hinges to determine how much rust has accumulated 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 the hinges. If you are able to save the hinges, you should first clean away loose rust using steel wool and a wire brush. Apply a commercial rust-removing solution or a homemade solution such as lemon juice to the hinge. Allow the rust-removing solution to sit on the hinges for a few minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust. If you don't wish to spend the time and money to replace your hinges, simply retightening the screws will restore the hinges' functionality. If you've stripped the screws' holes however, it might be necessary to attach a wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are available in round rods of varying lengths and sizes. You can buy them on the internet, at stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement centers. A shim could be made of a piece of plastic or metal, based on the kind of hinge you've got. To make a dowel cut a piece made of wooden dowel or another sturdy material to the size you want. You can dip the dowel into carpenter's adhesive and place it in the hole. The glue will hold the dowel firmly in place. Before you begin cleaning the hinges, place down a paper or cloth towel to shield flooring and other surfaces from spills and drips that may happen. Once the area is protected, proceed to clean the hinges using an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to eliminate dirt, grime, and tarnish. You can make use of a toothbrush or a small brush to get into difficult-to-reach areas in crevices or tight areas.