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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Most homeowners can repair a loose hinge. If the holes for screws have been smashed and will not hold screws, you might require dowels and wood glue to put back in the hinge. Brush away any surface that has rust. This will allow the dowels to remain in place and provide them a solid base to hold onto. Take the Hinges off Many hinges for doors can be removed, making it easier to move a door from one side of the frame to the opposite side or take the entire door off when needed. It is easy for anyone with a bit of patience, but you have to know how to do it correctly. If the hinges are painted you'll need to take off the paint prior to trying to remove the pins. It is possible to scratch your door if don't remove the paint. To break the seal of the paint put the hinges in an stainless steel pan and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for about 30 minutes. The heat of the water will soften the paint, making it easier to remove. Once the pins have been removed, take the hinges and frame from the door. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, however it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver is specially designed to pick up screws made of metal and will assist you in getting the task accomplished much faster. Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is recommended to spray them with a grease. A simple lubricant will help the process move along quickly and make it easier to remove the pins and screws. This kind of lubricant is able to be found in a variety of hardware stores and home improvement stores. The number of hinges you need will also differ based on the type of door you have and the way it's installed. Doors with a heavier core and solid-core will require more hinges, while lighter-weight and hollow-core doors might only require two or three hinges. Understanding the different kinds of hinges will help determine which one is best for your situation. The hinges on the exterior are designed to hold the weight of a door, whereas interior hinges must be able to handle heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes, the hinges on doors become looser over time and begin to hang in a crooked manner or sag. It can be a big issue, but the solution is usually easy. A simple retightening will usually solve the issue. However when the screw holes are stripped out, it can be more difficult to accomplish. There is a method to make these holes back to their original size that utilizes a wood dowel. Begin by drilling the 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. The dowel should be cut to a length similar to the screw to ensure a secure fit. Then, reinstall the screw and tighten it until the desired degree of tightness. If the door continues to have the tendency to be bowed, then add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure that the perimeter clearances are correct. You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. This will work equally well, but may take a bit longer to set up. You can use a piece of wood that has been whittled to the right size. 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 prevent the screw from hitting the edges of the doors as they are closed and opened. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws before installing hinges. Once you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to grease it using a dry lubricant to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can use products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. You should apply a light coat and allow it to take around 15 minutes to fully reach the hinge barrel. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you are able to make a few minor repairs. Make sure the screws that hold the hinge plate to the door frame and the frame are in good condition. If they're loose, tighten them with the help of a screwdriver or a power drill. Be careful not to tighten your screws so much that they create gaps at the trim joints, or worse cause threads to be stripped. If the issue is that the hinge plates are breaking, you can reattach the plates by putting wood glue to the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. Dowels or toothpicks will serve as a solid base for the screws and help prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into the holes. Allow the glue to dry before reattaching the hinge. Another reason for loose hinges is that the screws are stripped or gone. This can be fixed by replacing the screws with longer ones. Use a drill bit that is similar to the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into the hinge or jamb. Close the door after you've reattached the hinge and measure the gap between the frame and the door. It should be approximately the thickness of a nickel all around, or less if there's a gap that was caused by a previous door that hung improperly. If the hinges were set up correctly, this shouldn't be a problem. If the hinges still seem loose, you can add a stronger hinge between the hinge plate surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges more space. You can also remove the hinge pin and then pound it down with a hammer to tighten it or use an entirely new hinge. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and keep them in position. Lubricating your hinges periodically can stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky, and also extend their lifespan. Cleaning door hinge repair near me of hinges creates friction, which 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 get stiff and creaky and its appearance could rapidly diminish. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection can help preserve the quality of door's hinges and ensure their proper operation. Examine the hinges for corrosion. If the rust has corroded to the point of destroying the surface of the barrel or screw holes, you'll need to replace the hinges. If you are able to save the hinges, first brush away loose rust using steel wool and a wire brush. Apply a commercial rust removal solution or a homemade solution such as lemon juice on the hinge. Let the rust-removing solution remain on the hinges for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust. If you do not want to spend time and money to replace hinges, simply tightening the screws will make the hinges functional again. If you've sanded the screws 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 various sizes and lengths. You can purchase them online, at woodworking supply stores and home improvement centers. You can also make an shim out of metal or plastic depending on the type hinge you have. To make a dowel 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 hole that you have stripped and let the glue hold the dowel in place. Before cleaning the hinges, lay down a paper towel or cloth to protect your flooring from spills. After securing the area clean the hinges with an easy sponge or cloth coated with mild cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime. Also, tarnish and rust can be removed. A small or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or narrow areas.