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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, the screw holes are stripped and aren't able to hold screws, you may need to add dowels and wood glue before you can install the hinge. Clean up any surface corrosion. This will aid in keeping the dowels in their place and provide a solid foundation to hold onto. Take the Hinges off Many standard door hinges can be removed, making it easier to move a door from one side of the frame to the other side or remove the entire door in the event of need. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges however, you must know what to do. If the hinges have been painted you'll need to take off it before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint could be smashed off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. To break the seal of the paint put the hinges in a stainless steel dish and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Allow the hinges to sit in the pan for approximately 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint and make it easier to take off the pins. After the pins have been removed, take the hinges and the frame from the door. It is possible to use a regular screwdriver, however you should use a magnetic screwdriver for this task. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to take out screws made of metal and will help you get the job completed much quicker. It is a good practice to spray lubricant onto the hinges prior to trying to remove them. A simple lubricant will help the process move along quickly and aid in the removal of the pins and screws. This type of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores and home improvement shops. It is important to keep in mind that the number of door hinges you'll require will vary depending on the type of door and the setting. Doors with a heavier core and solid-core will require more hinges while hollow-core doors that weigh less might require just two or three hinges. It is also crucial to know the various types of hinges so you can determine which ones be the most effective for your particular situation. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the weight of the door and interior hinges have to be able to handle lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Over time, the hinges of doors may loosen and begin to hang crooked or sag. This can cause problems, but it's usually easy to solve. In most cases an easy tightening of the screw will fix the issue. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it may be difficult to do. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes once more. Start by drilling the old hole using a drill close to the size of the new screw (normally 3/8”). Then, you can use wood glue and dowels made of wood to fill in the hole. To ensure a tight fit, the dowel must be cut at the same length as the screw. Reinstall the screw and tighten it until you are satisfied with the tightness. If the door has an tendency to get stuck and close, then you can add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Make sure to close the door slowly to examine the clearances around the perimeter after each adjustment. You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. This is also a viable option, but may take some time to set up. You can tap in the wood piece 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 to make the hole smaller for the head of the screw after you have reinstalled it. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edge of the doors when they are closed and opened. This will aid in tightening the screw after installing the hinge. After installing the hinge again, you should lubricate the hinge with a dry lubricant. This will prevent it from becoming stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are great options. Apply a thin coating and allow it to penetrate the hinge barrel for about 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you are not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you could make a few minor repairs. The first step is to ensure that the screws holding the hinge plate to the door and frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten the screws using a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten your screws so tight that they start to cause gaps at the trim joints or, even more damagingly cause threads to be stripped. If the problem is the hinge plates are splitting and you want to reattach the plates by applying wood glue to the side of them and inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks create an solid foundation for the screws, and prevent the plates from moving as you insert them. Let the glue dry before reattaching your hinge. The screws can also be damaged or missing. This problem can be fixed by replacing the screws. Make sure the drill bit is exactly the same size as the screw hole to prevent 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 the way around, or less if there's a gap created by a door that hung improperly. If the hinges were installed correctly, this shouldn't be a problem. If the hinges are still loose, try adding a stronger hinge between the hinge plate surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges a little more room. You can also take off the hinge pin and pound it down with a hammer in order to tighten it or use the hinge of a different type. You can also lubricate the hinges with mineral or jojoba oil to reduce friction and aid in holding their place. Lubricating your hinges regularly can help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky, and will also extend their life. Cleaning the Hinges The friction created by the constant movement of a hinge attracts dust particles. These particles can get stuck and accumulate in the moving parts of door hinges if they are not regularly cleaned and lubricated. The hinge will become stiff and creaky, and its appearance may rapidly deteriorate. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections will maintain the integrity and functionality of hinges on a door. Examine the hinges to determine how much rust has built up on their surface. If the rust is so bad that it has damaged the surface of the screw holes or the barrel of the hinge, you'll have to replace the hinges. If double glazed window hinge repair to save the hinges, remove any loose rust by using wire brush and steel wool. Then, apply an industrial rust remover or a homemade solution such as lemon juice to the hinge. Allow the rust-removing solution to remain on the hinges for several minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve any remaining rust. If you don't want to spend the cost and time to replace hinges, tightening the screws can restore the hinges' functionality. It might be necessary to attach an shim of wood or a dowel to the hinge in the event that the screws have been degraded. Wooden dowels come in round rods of varying lengths and sizes. They are available at home improvement stores or woodworking supply shops, or on the internet. A shim may also be made from a piece of plastic or metal, based on the kind of hinge you have. To make a dowel, cut a wooden dowel to the desired length. You can then dip the dowel in carpenter's glue before inserting it into the cut hole, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in the right position. Before cleaning the hinges, lay down a cloth or towel to protect your flooring from spills. After securing the area, clean the hinges using an easy sponge or cloth coated with mild cleaner to get rid of dirt, grime, and tarnish. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to reach difficult-to-reach places in crevices and tight areas.