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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge

Fixing a loose door hinge can be a doable job for the majority of homeowners. If, however, door hinge repairs greenwich RepairMyWindowsAndDoors are damaged and aren't able to hold screws, you may need to use wood glue and dowels before you can reinstall the hinge.

Brush away any surface rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid base to hold onto.

Eliminating the Hinges

A variety of door hinges can be removed, making it simpler to move doors from one side of the frame to the other side or remove the entire door in the event of need. Removing the hinges is fairly simple for anyone with patience, although you need to know how to do it properly.


If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to take off the paint before attempting to remove the pins. You may scratch your door if you don't remove the paint. To break the seal of the paint put the hinges into an stainless steel pan and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Allow the hinges to 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 have been removed, take the hinges and frame from the door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, but a magnetic screwdriver is recommended for this project. This type of screwdriver is specifically designed to grab metal screws and aid you in getting the job accomplished much faster.

Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is a good idea to spray them with some grease. A simple lubricant will help the process to go more quickly and aid in the removal of the screws and pins. You can find this type of lubricant at most hardware and home improvement stores.

You should also keep in mind that the number of hinges you'll need will vary based on the door's type and its configurations. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while hollow-core doors with a lighter weight might require just two or three hinges.

Understanding the various types of hinges can help you decide which one is the best for your particular situation. Exterior hinges are generally designed to support the weight of the door and interior hinges have to be able to handle heavier loads.

Reattaching the Hinges

Over time, the hinges of doors may lose its grip and then begin to hang crooked or sag. This could be a problem, but it's usually easy to solve. Most of the time it's a simple tightening of the screw will resolve the problem. If the screw holes have been stripped out, it could be a challenge to complete. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes once more.

Begin by drilling out the old hole using the drill bit that is similar to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8"). Then use wood glue and a wooden dowel to fill in the hole. The dowel should be cut to a length that is exactly the same as the screw to ensure a tight fit. Then, you can reinstall the screw and tighten it until the desired degree of tightness. If the door has the tendency to be bowed the door, then add a second dowel to the gap and repeat the procedure. Be sure to close the door slowly to check the perimeter clearances after each adjustment.

Another option is to just make use of the wood plug instead of a dowel. It will work similarly, but it may take a little longer to set up. You can insert a piece of wood that has been whittled to the right size. If you don't have a tool for woodworking, you can also make use of toothpicks or wooden matches as well.

After you've reinstalled your new screw, use a countersink bit to make the hole for the head of the screw smaller so that it won't touch the edge of the door when it's opened and closed. This will make it easier to tighten the screw after you are reinstalling the hinge.

After you have reinstalled the hinge, make sure to lubricate it with a dry lubricant to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can use products like PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and allow it to take around 15 minutes to fully penetrate 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. Check that the screws that attach the hinge plate in place to the door frame as well as the frame are in good condition. If they are loose, tighten the screws with a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not too tighten the screws, because this can cause gaps to form at the trim joints, or worse, strip the threads.

If the issue is that the hinge plates are splitting and you want to reattach the plates by putting wood glue to the back of them and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. The dowels or toothpicks give a solid foundation for the screws and help prevent the plates from shifting when you drive them into position. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.

The screws can also be stripped or missing. This can be corrected by replacing the screws. Make sure the drill bit is exactly the same size as the screw hole to avoid drilling into the hinge or jamb.

Close the door after you have reattached your hinge and examine the gap between the frame and the door. It should be approximately the thickness of one nickel all the way around, or less if there's an existing gap caused by a previous door that was not properly hang. This shouldn't be a problem as long as the hinges are correctly installed.

If the hinges still seem loose, you can add an extra thick hinge between the surface of the hinge plate 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 heavy hammer in order to tighten it or use the hinge of a different type. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral oil or jojoba to decrease friction and hold them in position. Regularly lubricating your hinges will help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also prolong their lifespan.

Cleaning the Hinges

The continuous movement of hinges causes friction, which attracts dust particles. These particles can get stuck and build up in the moving parts of door hinges, if they're not regularly cleaned and lubricated. The hinge will get stiff and creaky and its appearance can rapidly change. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection will preserve the integrity and functionality of hinges on a door.

Inspect the hinges to see how much rust has accumulated on their surfaces. 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 can save the hinges, first brush off loose rust using steel wool and a wire brush. Then apply a commercial rust remover or a homemade solution, such as lemon juice to the hinge. Allow the rust-removing solution to be on the hinges for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust.

Retightening screws can restore hinge function If you don't wish to spend time or money to replace hinges. If you've sanded the screw holes, however, it may be necessary to attach the dowel of wood or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood are square pieces of wood in the form of rods which are available in varying sizes and lengths. You can find them at home improvement stores, woodworking supply and craft shops, or online.

You can also create an shim using either plastic or metal, depending on the type hinge you are using. To make a dowel, cut a wooden dowel to the desired length. You can dip the dowel into the adhesive of a carpenter and then insert it into the hole. The glue will secure the dowel in place.

Before cleaning the hinges put down a cloth or towel to protect your flooring from spills. Once the area is protected, proceed to clean the hinges with a soft cloth or sponge that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of built-up dirt, grime and tarnish. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to reach hard-to-reach areas in crevices and narrow areas.

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