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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a door hinge that is loose can be a manageable task for the majority of homeowners. If the holes for screws have been stripped and will not hold screws, you might need to use dowels and wood glue to put back in the door hinge. Before you do that though, brush away the surface rust. This will help to keep the dowels in place and provide an adequate base for them to rest on. Take the Hinges off Many hinges for doors can be removed, making it easier to move doors from one side of the frame to the other side or remove the entire door if necessary. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges, but you need to know what to do. If the hinges have been painted, you'll need to remove the paint before you attempt to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint could peel off and scratch your door when you attempt to lift it. Place the hinges in the stainless steel pot and fill it up with water until the hinges are completely submerged. Let the hinges rest in the pan for about 30 minutes. The heat from the water should soften the paint and make it easier to remove the pins. After the pins have been removed, take the hinges and frame from the door. It is possible to use a standard screwdriver, but you should use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver has been specifically designed to take out screws made of metal and will help you get the job accomplished much faster. Before you attempt to remove the hinges it is a good idea to spray them with grease. A simple lubricant will help you to move the process along faster and remove the pins and screws with ease. You can purchase this kind of lubricant at most hardware and home improvement stores. The number of hinges you need will also depend on the kind of door you have, and how it's installed. door hinge repair and solid-core doors will require more hinges, while lighter-weight and hollow-core doors might require just two or three. Understanding the various types of hinges will help decide which one is the best for your needs. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the door's weight and interior hinges need to be able to handle lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Over time the hinges on doors can lose its grip and then begin to hang crooked or sag. This could be a problem however, it's usually simple to solve. Retightening the screw will typically solve the problem. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it may be a challenge to complete. There is a trick to get these holes back to their original size using a wooden dowel. Begin by drilling out the old hole using an appropriate drill bit similar to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8”). Then use wood glue and a dowel made of wood to fill the hole. The dowel should be cut to a length exactly the same as the screw to ensure a snug fit. Install the screw again and tighten it until you are satisfied with the degree of tightness. If the door has an tendency to get stuck 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. You can also use a wooden plug in place of the dowel. This will work as well, but may take some time to put in. Simply whittle a plug of wood to the appropriate size for a comfortable fit, then tap it into the hole. If you don't own a woodworking instrument, you can use toothpicks or matchsticks made from wood. After you've reinstalled your new screw and countersink the screw, you can use a countersink tool to make the hole for the screw's head smaller so that it won't touch the edge of the door when it's open and closed. This will make it easier to tighten the screws before reinstalling hinges. After installing the hinge, lubricate the hinge with dry lubricant. This will prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can apply products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coating and allow it to soak into the hinge barrel for around 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not yet ready to replace your hinges, you can try a few easy fixes. Check that the screws that attach the hinge plate to both the door frame as well as the frame are in good condition. If they're loose, tighten them with a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to tighten the screws to the point that they begin to create gaps at the trim joints, or even worse remove the threads. If the problem is the hinge plates are splitting they can be reattached to the plates by applying wood glue on the back of them and then inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks provide a solid foundation for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting when you push them in. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge. The screws can also be smashed or gone. It is possible to fix this issue by replacing the screws with larger ones. Make sure the drill bit is similar to the size of the screw hole to prevent drilling into the hinge or jamb. After you've reattached your hinge, close the door and examine the gap between the door and the frame. It should be around the thickness of one nickel all around, or less if there's a gap caused by a previous door that hung improperly. This should not be a problem if hinges are properly installed. If the hinges seem loose, you can add an extra thick hinge between the surface of the hinge plate and the mounting surface. This will allow the hinges more space. You can also remove the hinge pin and then pound it down with a hammer to tighten it, or install the hinge of a different type. You can also lubricate your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to decrease friction and hold them in place. Lubricating your hinges periodically will stop them from becoming stiff and squeaky and can also prolong their life. Cleaning the Hinges A hinge's continuous movement causes friction, which attracts dust particles. These particles may 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 may rapidly deteriorate. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections can maintain the quality of door's hinges and ensure their proper operation. Inspect the hinges to see how much rust has built up on their surface. 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, you can remove any loose rust using steel wool and wire brush. Then, apply an industrial rust remover or a homemade solution, such as lemon juice to the hinge. Let the solution that removes rust sit on the hinges for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust. Retightening screws can help restore hinge functionality if you don't want to spend money or time to replace hinges. It may be necessary to attach an shim of wood or a dowel to the hinge if the screw holes have been degraded. Wooden dowels come in round rods that vary in lengths and sizes. You can purchase them on the internet, at stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement centers. You can also create an shim out of made of plastic or metal depending on the type hinge you are using. To make a dowel cut a piece made of wooden dowel or other sturdy material to the desired size. You can then dip the dowel in carpenter's glue before inserting it into the cut hole and let the glue hold the dowel in place. Before you start cleaning the hinges, put down a towel or a paper towel to shield floors and other surfaces from accidental spills and drips. Once the area is protected then clean the hinges with an absorbent sponge or a soft cloth coated with a mild cleaner or vinegar to get rid of dirt, grime, and tarnish. You can make use of a small or toothbrush brush to get into difficult-to-reach areas in crevices or tight areas.