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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a loose door hinge can be a manageable task for most homeowners. If the holes for screws are shattered and do not hold screws, you may need to use wood glue and dowels to put back in the door hinge. Before you do that, however you should clean off any surface rust. This will allow the dowels to remain in place and provide them a solid foundation to hold onto. Take off the Hinges Many hinges for doors can be removed, making it easier to move doors from one side of the frame to the other or remove the entire door when needed. It is easy for anyone with a bit of patience, but you have to know how to do it right. If the hinges have been painted you'll need to take off it prior to trying to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint could be smashed off and scratch the door when you attempt to lift it. Put the hinges in an stainless steel pot and fill it up with water to the point that the hinges are submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for around 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to take off the pins. Once the pins have been loosened, remove the hinges and frame from the door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, however it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this job. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to grab metal screws and will help you get the job completed much quicker. Before you attempt to remove the hinges, it is a good idea to spray them with grease. A simple lubricant will allow you to move the process along faster and make the removal of pins and screws with ease. This kind of lubricant is able to be found in most hardware stores and home improvement stores. You should also keep in mind that the number of door hinges you will need will differ based on the type of door and the configurations. Heavy doors and solid-core doors will need more hinges, while lighter-weight and hollow-core doors may only require two or three. Understanding the various types of hinges will help you decide which one is the best for your needs. Exterior hinges are designed to support the weight of a door, but interior hinges must be able support lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Sometimes, the hinges on doors loosen over time and start to hang out of alignment or sag. This can cause problems, but it's usually easy to solve. A simple tightening can solve the issue. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it can be a challenge to complete. Fortunately, there is a trick to get the holes back in place that uses a wood dowel. Start by drilling out the hole you had previously made using a drill bit that is close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8”). Fill in the hole with wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length that is the same as the screw to ensure a snug fit. Then, reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired level of tightness. If the door does not stop bind up, you can insert another dowel to the gap. Repeat the procedure. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure that the perimeter clearances are correct. Another option is to just utilize the wood plug instead of a dowel. It works just as well but might take a little longer to put in. Simply whittle a piece of wood that is the right size for a snug fit, then tap it into the hole. If repair door hinge don't have an instrument for woodworking, you can use toothpicks or matchsticks made from wood. After 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 does not touch the edge of the door when it is opened and closed. This will aid in tightening the screw prior to installing the hinge. After installing the hinge again, you should apply lubrication to the hinge using a dry lubricant. This will help prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can apply products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin layer and allow it to soak into the hinge barrel for about 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you are not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you are able to make a few minor repairs. The first step is to check that the screws securing the hinge plate to the door and frame are tight. If they're loose, tighten them with a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten the screws so much that they start to cause gaps at the trim joints or, even more damagingly remove the threads. If you're experiencing issues because the hinge plates are breaking away from the jamb and door, you can reattach them by applying wood glue to the back of the plates, and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. The toothpicks or dowels will serve as a solid base for the screws and keep the plates from moving when you drive them into the holes. Let the glue dry before attaching the hinge. Another common cause of hinges that are loose is that the screws are damaged or missing. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with larger ones. Make sure you use a drill bit that is compatible with the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into other parts of the hinge or jamb. Close the door after you've reattached your hinge and measure the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of one nickel all around or less if there's a gap created by a door that was not properly hang. This should not be a problem if hinges are installed correctly. If the hinges are still loose, you could add a stronger hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will allow the hinges more room. You can also try removing the hinge pin from the problem hinge and then pounding it using a hammer to make it more secure or using an entirely new hinge pin. You can also grease your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba in order to reduce friction and keep 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 friction generated by the constant movement of a hinge draws dust particles. These particles can become stuck and accumulate 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 could rapidly diminish. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections can maintain the quality of a door's hinges and ensure their proper function. Check the hinges for the accumulation of rust. If the rust has corroded to the point of destroying surface of the hinge barrel or screw holes, you will require replacement of the hinges. If you are able to save the hinges, clean any loose rust using wire brush and steel wool. Apply a commercial rust removal solution or a homemade solution such as lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust remover remain on the hinge for several minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion. Retightening screws can restore hinge functionality If you don't wish to spend time or money on replacing hinges. If you've stripped the screws' holes however, it could be necessary to add 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 sizes. You can purchase them online, at woodworking supply shops and at home improvement stores. You can also make a shim from a piece metal or plastic depending on the type hinge you own. 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 hole that you have stripped, allowing the glue to hold the dowel in the desired position. Before cleaning the hinges, lay down a piece of paper cloth or towel to shield your flooring from spills. After the area has been secured, proceed to clean the hinges using a soft sponge or cloth that has been soaked in mild cleaner or vinegar to remove built-up dirt, grime and tarnish. A small brush or toothbrush can be used to access difficult-to-reach places in crevices and narrow places.