An Fix Door Hinge Success Story You ll Never Be Able To
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 won't hold screws you might have to use wood glue and dowels before you can put back the hinge.
Before you do this, however scrub away any surface rust. This will help the dowels remain in place and provide them a solid base to grip into.
Take off the Hinges
Most hinges on doors are removable, which makes it easier to move the door hinges repair from one side to another or take the entire door hinge repairs off of the frame should it be needed. Anyone who is patient can remove the hinges, but you must be aware of what to do.
If the hinges are painted, you will need to remove the paint prior to trying to remove the pins. If you do not, the paint may flake off and scratch the door when you attempt to lift it. To break the paint seal, place the hinges in a stainless steel pan and fill the pan with water until the hinges are fully submerged. Let the hinges sit in the pan for around 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint making it easier to take off.
After the pins have been loosen then you can remove the hinges from the door and frame. It is possible to use a regular screwdriver, but a magnetic screwdriver is recommended for this project. This type of screwdriver has been specially designed to pick up metal screws and help you get the job accomplished much faster.
It is a good practice to spray lubricant onto the hinges prior to attempting to remove them. A simple lubricant will allow you to move the process along faster and make the removal of pins and screws more easily. This kind of lubricant is able to be found in most hardware stores as well as home improvement shops.
Keep in mind that the number of door hinges you will need will vary based on the type of door and its settings. Solid-cored and heavier doors will require more hinges while lighter and hollow-cored doors may only need two or three.
It is also important to know the various types of hinges in order to decide which one will work best in your situation. Exterior hinges are typically designed to support the weight of the door, while interior hinges will 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 sag or hang crookedly. This could be a problem, but it's usually easy to repair. A simple retightening will usually solve the problem. If the screw holes have been ripped out, it can be difficult to do. Fortunately, there is a trick to make these holes tight again using a wooden dowel.
Start by drilling the old hole using a drill bit close to the new screw size (normally 3/8"). Fill in the hole using wood glue and a wooden stick. The dowel should be cut to a length similar to the screw to ensure a tight fit. Then, you can reinstall the screw and tighten it to the desired tightness. If the door still has a tendency to bind and close, then you can add another dowel to the gap and repeat the process. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to make sure that the perimeter clearances are in order.
You could also use a wood plug in place of the dowel. This will work equally well, but may take a bit longer to put in. Simply whittle a chunk of wood that is the proper size to ensure a secure fit, then tap it into the hole. If you don't have a woodworking instrument, you can use toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood.
Make use of a countersink in order to make the hole smaller than the head of screw after you have reinstalled it. This will stop the screw from rubbing against the edges of the doors when they are closed and opened. This will make it easier to tighten the screws before reinstalling hinges.
After reinstalling the hinge, apply lubrication to the hinge using a dry lubricant. This will help prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are good alternatives. Apply a thin layer and allow it to penetrate the barrel of the hinge for approximately 15 minutes.
Refinishing the Hinges
If you are not ready to replace the hinges on your door, you can do a few simple repairs. The first step is to ensure that the screws securing the upvc window hinge plate to the frame and door are tight. If they're loose, tighten them using an electric drill or screwdriver. Be cautious not to tighten the screws so tight that they create gaps in the trim joints or, even more damagingly, strip the threads.
If the issue is that the hinge plates are separated from the jamb and door and jamb, you can fix them by gluing wood glue to the back of the plates and then inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. The toothpicks and dowels provide a solid foundation for the screws, preventing the plates from shifting as you drive them in. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge.
The screws can also be smashed or gone. This can be corrected by Replacing hinges On double glazed windows the screws. Make sure the drill bit is exactly the same size as the screw hole to prevent drilling into the jamb or hinge.
Close the door after you've reattached your hinge and examine the gap between the frame and the door. It should be about the thickness of a nickel all the way around, or less if there's an existing gap created by a previous door that was not properly hung. If the hinges were set up correctly, this should not be a problem.
If you notice that the hinges are loose, you can try adding an extra thicker shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface to give a little extra space. You could also try taking the hinge pin from the problem hinge and pounding it down with a hammer to make it tighter or use the hinge pin from a different angle altogether. You can also lubricate your hinges using mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and keep them in position. Lubricating your hinges regularly can prevent them from becoming stiff and squeaky, and can also prolong their life.
Cleaning the Hinges
The friction generated by the hinge's constant motion attracts dust particles. These particles can get stuck and accumulate in the moving parts of door hinges, if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. In the end the hinge can become stiff and creaky, and its appearance can deteriorate rapidly. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections can maintain the integrity of a hinge on a door and ensure its proper function.
Examine the hinges to determine how much rust has built up on their surface. If the rust has become so severe that it has damaged the surface of the screw holes or the barrel of the hinge, you'll need to replace them. If you can save the hinges, you should first clean off any loose rust with steel wool and a wire brush. Apply a commercial rust-removing product or homemade solutions like lemon juice on the hinge. Let the solution that removes rust sit on the hinges for several minutes in order to penetrate and dissolve the remaining rust.
Retightening screws can help restore hinge function If you don't wish to spend money or time on repairing hinges. If you have stripped the screws, however, it may be necessary to attach the dowel of wood or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood come in round rods of various sizes and lengths. You can purchase them online, in woodworking supply shops and home improvement centers.
You can also make an shim using made of plastic or metal depending on the kind of hinge you are using. To make a dowel cut a piece of wood dowel or another sturdy material to the desired size. You can then dip the dowel in a glue for carpenters and then insert it into the cut hole and let the glue hold the dowel in the desired position.
Before you begin cleaning the hinges, place down a towel or a paper towel to shield flooring and other surfaces from spills and drips that may happen. After securing the area clean the hinges with a soft sponge or cloth coated with mild cleaner to eliminate dirt, grime, and tarnish. You can make use of a toothbrush or a small brush to reach hard-to-reach spots in crevices and tight areas.
