violetpump7

How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Fixing a loose door hinge is a simple task for most homeowners. However, if the holes for screws are smashed and can't hold screws, you may need to add dowels and wood glue before you can install the hinge. Remove any surface that has rust. This will help the dowels 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 a door from one side of the frame to the opposite side or take the entire door off when needed. Anyone with a little patience can remove the hinges however, you must know what to do. If the hinges are painted you will need to remove the paint prior to trying to remove the pins. If you don't, the paint will be smashed off and scratch the door when you attempt to lift it. Place the hinges in a stainless steel pot and fill it with water to the point that the hinges are submerged. Let the hinges rest in the pan for 30 minutes. The heat from the water will soften the paint and make it easier to take off the pins. Once the pins are loosened, you can remove the hinges from the frame and door. You can use a screwdriver to get the job done, but it is recommended to use a magnetic screwdriver for this project. This type of screwdriver is specially designed to pick up metal screws and will help you get the job accomplished much faster. It is a good practice to spray lubricant onto the hinges before attempting to remove them. A simple lubricant will allow you speed up the process and make the removal of pins and screws with ease. This type of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores and home improvement shops. The number of hinges you need will also vary depending on the type of door you have and the way it's set up. Heavier and solid-cored doors will require more hinges while hollow-cored doors that are lighter may only need two or three. It is also important to know the various types of hinges so you can determine which ones best suit your needs. Exterior hinges are designed to support the weight of a door, while interior hinges need to be able support lighter loads. Reattaching the Hinges Over time, the hinges of doors may loosen and begin to sag or hang crookedly. This can cause problems, but it's usually easy to repair. In most cases it's a simple tightening of the screw will resolve the issue. However when the screw holes are ripped out, this can be more difficult to do. A dowel made of wood can be used to tighten these holes once more. Begin by drilling out the old hole using an appropriate drill bit close to the size of the new screw (typically 3/8”). Then, you can use a wood glue as well as dowels made of wood to fill the hole. The dowel should be cut to a length that is the same as the screw to ensure a snug fit. Reinstall the screw, and tighten to desired level of tightness. If the door has the tendency to be bowed the door, then add a second dowel to the gap and repeat the procedure. Close the door slowly after each adjustment to ensure the clearances around the perimeter are correct. Another option is to just utilize an old-fashioned wood plug instead of a dowel. It works equally well, but may take a little longer 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 tool, you can also try using toothpicks or wooden matches as well. After you've reinstalled your new screw then use a countersink to make the hole for the screw's head smaller so that it won't touch the edge of the door when it's opened and closed. This will allow you to tighten the screw when installing the hinge. After you have reinstalled the hinge, be sure to lubricate it with a dry lubricant in order to prevent it from getting stuck in the future. You can use products such as PB Blaster and Liquid Wrench. Apply a thin coat and give it about 15 minutes to fully reach the hinge barrel. Refinishing the Hinges If you're unsure whether to replace your hinges, try a few easy fixes. Verify that the screws that attach the hinge plate to both the door frame as well as the frame are tight. If they are loose, tighten them using a power drill or screwdriver. Be careful not to over tighten the screws, as this could create gaps at the trim joints, or worse, strip out the threads. If the issue is that the hinge plates are separated from the door and jamb, you can reattach the hinges by applying wood glue to the back of the plates and then inserting toothpicks or wooden dowels into the holes. Dowels and toothpicks create an solid foundation for the screws, which will stop the plates from shifting when you drive them in. Let the glue dry before you can reattach your hinge. Another common cause of hinges that are loose is that screws are worn out or missing. You can fix this problem by replacing the screws with longer ones. Be sure to use a drill bit that matches the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into other parts of the jamb or hinge. Close the door after you've reattached the hinge and examine the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be about the thickness of a penny or less if an old door was hung incorrectly. This should not be a problem if hinges are properly installed. If the hinges seem loose, try adding a thicker hinge between the hinge plate's surface and the mounting surface. This will give the hinges a little more room. You could also try removing the hinge pin from the troublesome hinge and pounding it with a hammer to make it tighter or use the hinge pin from a different angle altogether. You can also lubricate the hinges with mineral or Jojoba oil to reduce friction and assist in keeping their place. Periodically lubricating your hinges can help keep them from becoming stiff or squeaky and will also extend their life. Cleaning the Hinges The friction generated by a hinge's constant movement draws dust particles. These particles may get stuck and accumulate in the moving parts of door hinges, if they're not maintained and cleaned regularly. window hinge repair will become stiff and creaky and its appearance can rapidly change. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections will maintain the quality and function of hinges on doors. Check the hinges for the accumulation of rust. If the corrosion has reached the point of destroying the surface of the barrel or screw holes, you'll require replacement of the hinges. If you can save the hinges, clean any loose rust with a steel wool and wire brush. Apply a commercial rust-removing product or homemade solution like lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust removal solution sit on the hinge for a few minutes to penetrate and dissolve any remaining corrosion. If you don't want to spend the cost and time to replace hinges, simply tightening the screws will make the hinges functional again. If you've stripped the screws however, it might be necessary to add an wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Dowels made of wood come in round rods that vary in lengths and sizes. They can be purchased online, at woodworking supply shops and home improvement centers. A shim can also be made from plastic or metal, based on the type of hinge you've got. To make a dowel cut a dowel from wood to the desired length. You can then dip the dowel into a carpenter's glue and 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 cloth or paper towel to protect flooring and other surfaces from accidental spills and drips. After you have protected the area clean the hinges with a soft sponge or a cloth coated with a mild cleaner to remove dirt and grime. You can also remove tarnish, dirt, and grime. A small brush or toothbrush can be used to access difficult-to-reach spots in crevices or narrow places.