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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a loose door hinge is a simple task for the majority of homeowners. If, however, the screw holes are damaged and can't hold screws, you may need to use wood glue and dowels before you can reinstall the hinge. Clean up any surface corrosion. This will help the dowels stay in place and give them a solid foundation to grip into. Take off the Hinges A variety of door hinges can be removed, making it easier to move doors from one side of the frame to the opposite side or remove the entire door when needed. Removing the hinges is fairly simple for anyone with a little patience, although you need to know how do it properly. If the hinges are painted, you will need to remove the paint prior to attempting to remove the pins. It is possible to scratch your door if do not remove the paint. Place the hinges in an stainless steel pot and fill it up with water until the hinges are submerged. Allow the hinges to sit in the pan for approximately 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint, making it easier to take off. After the pins have been loosen, you can remove the hinges from the door and frame. It is possible to use a regular screwdriver, however you should use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver was designed to pick up screws made of metal and make the task run much more quickly. It is a good idea to spray lubricant on the hinges before attempting to remove them. A simple lubricant can help the process move along quickly and help you remove the pins and screws. This type of lubricant can be found at most hardware stores and home improvement shops. The number of hinges required will also vary depending on the kind of door you have and the way it's installed. Solid-cored and heavier doors will require more hinges while hollow-cored and lighter doors might only require two or three hinges. Understanding the various types of hinges can help you determine which one is suitable for your situation. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges have to be able to handle heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes a door hinge will loosen over time and start to hang crookedly or slide. It can be a big issue, but the solution is usually easy. In most cases an easy tightening of the screw will resolve the issue. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it can be a challenge to complete. A wood dowel can be used to tighten these holes once more. Start by drilling the hole using a drill close to the new screw size (normally 3/8”). Then, use wood glue and dowels made of wood to fill 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 degree of tightness. If the door does not stop bind up, insert a second dowel into the gap. Repeat the procedure. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to make sure that the perimeter clearances are in order. You can also use a wooden plug instead of the dowel. It will work just as well but might take a little longer to install. You can insert a piece of wood that has been whittled to the proper size. If you don't own an instrument for woodworking, you can use toothpicks or wooden matchsticks. Once you have reinstalled the new screw and countersink the screw, you can use a countersink tool to make the hole for the head of the screw smaller, so that it doesn't rub against the edge of the door when it's opened and closed. This will allow you to tighten the screw prior to installing the hinge. After installing the hinge again, you should lubricate the hinge with dry lubricant. This will prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can use products like PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and wait for approximately 15 minutes to penetrate 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 are able to make a few minor repairs. Check that the screws that hold the hinge plate to both the door frame and frame are in good condition. If they're loose, tighten the screws with a power drill or screwdriver. Be cautious not to tighten the screws so much that they begin to create gaps at the trim joints, or worse, strip the threads. If the issue is that the hinge plates are splitting they can be reattached to the plates by applying wood glue to the back of them and inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks in the holes. The toothpicks and dowels provide an solid foundation for the screws, and prevent the plates from shifting as you insert them. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge. Another reason that causes hinges that are loose is that screws are worn out or are 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. After you've reattached your hinge, close the door and examine the gap between the door and the frame. The gap should be about the thickness of a penny or less if an old door was not properly hung. This should not be a problem as long as the hinges are properly installed. If you notice that the hinges remain loose, you can try adding a thicker hinge shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface, to create a little extra space. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the problematic hinge and pounding it down with a hammer in order to make it more secure or using the hinge pin from a different angle altogether. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and keep them in position. Lubricating your hinges frequently will prevent them from becoming stiff and squeaky and also prolong their lifespan. Cleaning the Hinges The friction created by a hinge's constant movement draws dust particles. These particles can get stuck and accumulate in the moving parts of door hinges if they're not cleaned and lubricated regularly. The hinge will become stiff and creaky, and its appearance can rapidly change. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection can preserve the integrity of a hinged door and ensure their proper operation. Check the hinges to see how much rust has accumulated on their surface. If the corrosion has reached the point of destroying surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you'll require replacement of the hinges. If you can save the hinges, you should first clean away loose rust using steel wool and a wire brush. Then, apply double glazing window hinge repairs from a commercial store 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. The tightening of screws can restore hinge functionality If you don't wish to spend money or time on replacing hinges. It might be necessary to attach a wooden shim or dowel to the hinge when the screws have been shaved. Dowels made of wood are round pieces of wood that are in the form of rods, which are available in various sizes and lengths. They can be purchased on the internet, at woodworking supply stores and home improvement centers. You can also create an shim using metal or plastic depending on the type of hinge you have. To make a dowel, cut a wooden dowel to the desired length. You can then dip the dowel into carpenter's glue before inserting it into the hole that you have stripped, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in the desired position. Before you start cleaning the hinges, put down a cloth or paper towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from accidental spills and drips. After you have protected the area, clean the hinges using an easy sponge or cloth coated with a mild cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and tarnish. A small brush or toothbrush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or narrow places.