How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge
Fixing a door hinge that is loose can be a manageable task for most homeowners. If the holes for screws have been smashed and will not hold screws, you could require dowels and wood glue to fix the hinge.
Before you do that, however you should clean off any surface rust. This will aid in keeping the dowels in place and give them a solid base to hold onto.
Eliminating the Hinges
Many standard door hinges can be removed, making it easier to move the door from one end of the frame to the other or take the entire door off when needed. It is easy for anyone with patience, although you need to know how do it right.
If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to remove it before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will peel off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. To break the seal put the hinges in a stainless steel dish and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint and make it easier to remove the pins.
Once the pins have been removed, take the hinges and the 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 has been specifically designed to grab metal screws and help you get the job completed much quicker.
It is a good idea to spray lubricant on the hinges prior to attempting to remove them. A simple lubricant will help you move the process along faster and also remove the pins and screws more easily. You can find this kind of lubricant at most hardware and home improvement stores.
The number of hinges needed will also vary depending on the kind of door you have and the way it's set up. Solid-cored and heavier doors will require more hinges whereas lighter and hollow-cored doors may only need two or three.
Understanding the different types of hinges can help you determine which one is suitable for your particular situation. Exterior hinges are generally designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges require to handle lighter loads.
Reattaching the Hinges
Sometimes a door hinge will get looser and eventually begin to hang out of alignment or sag. This could be a problem, but it's usually easy to fix. In most cases, a simple retightening of the screw will solve the problem. However in the event that the screw holes are stripped out, it can be more difficult. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes once more.
Start by drilling out the hole you had previously made using an appropriate drill bit similar to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Fill in the hole with wood glue and a wooden stick. To ensure a snug fit, the dowel must be cut at the same length as the screw. After that, reinstall the screw and tighten it until the desired level of tightness. If the door does not stop bind up, you can insert another dowel to the gap. Repeat the process. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to make sure that the perimeter clearances are correct.
Another option is to make use of an old-fashioned wood plug instead of a dowel. This is also a viable option, but may take a bit longer to install. You can tap in a piece of wood which has been cut to the right size. If you don't have a tool for woodworking you could also make use of 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 closed and opened. This will make it much easier to tighten the screws before reinstalling hinges.
After installing the hinge, lubricate the hinge with an oil-based lubricant that is dry. This will help to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are excellent alternatives. Apply a thin layer of it and allow it to penetrate the barrel of the hinge for approximately 15 minutes.
Refinishing the Hinges
If you are not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you can do a few simple repairs. The first step is to check whether the screws that secure the hinge plate to the door and frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using the help of a screwdriver or a power drill. Be careful not to tighten the screws so much that they start to cause gaps at the trim joints, or worse, strip the threads.
If the issue is that the hinge plates are breaking they can be reattached to the plates by putting wood glue on the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. Dowels and toothpicks provide a solid base for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting when you drive them in. Allow the glue to dry before reattaching the hinge.
Another common cause of hinges that are loose is that the screws are stripped or are missing. This can be fixed by replacing the screws with larger ones. Use a drill bit that is exactly the same size as the screw hole to prevent drilling into the hinge or jamb.
After you've reattached your hinge close the door and look at the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be about the thickness of a penny all around or less if the old door was hung incorrectly. This should not be a problem if the hinges are installed correctly.
If the hinges are still loose, you can add an extra thick hinge between the hinge plate surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges a little more space. You can also remove the hinge pin, then pound it down with a powerful hammer in order to tighten it, or install a new hinge. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba in order to reduce friction and help keep them in position. Lubricating your hinges regularly will stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky and can also prolong their life.
Cleaning the Hinges
The friction created by the hinge's constant motion attracts dust particles. Without periodic cleaning and lubrication, these particles get stuck in the moving parts of a door hinge and accumulate over time. In the end, the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance may get worse. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection will preserve the functionality and quality of hinges on doors.
Check the hinges to see how much rust has built up on their surfaces. If the corrosion has reached the point of destroying the surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you will need to replace the hinges. If you can save the hinges, you should first clean off loose rust using steel wool and wire brushes. Then, apply a commercial rust remover or a homemade solution such as lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust-removing solution be on the hinges for several minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust.
If replace upvc window hinges do not want to spend the time and money to replace hinges, simply tightening the screws can restore the hinges' functionality. If you've stripped the screw holes however, it could be necessary to attach a wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are round pieces made of wood in the shape of rods, which are available in varying lengths and diameters. You can purchase them online, in stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement stores.
You can also make an shim out of metal or plastic depending on the kind of hinge you have. To make a dowel, cut a piece made of wooden dowel or other sturdy material to the desired size. Then, dip a dowel into carpenter's adhesive and then insert it into the hole. The glue will hold the dowel firmly in place.
Before you begin cleaning the hinges, place down a cloth or paper towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from spills and drips that may happen. Once the area is protected and dry, clean the hinges with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to eliminate the build-up of dirt, grime and tarnish. A small or toothbrush can be used to access hard-to-reach areas in crevices and difficult areas.