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How to Fix a Loose Door Hinge Most homeowners can fix hinges that are loose. If, however, the screw holes are damaged and aren't able to hold screws, you might have to put in wood glue and dowels before you can install the hinge. Before you do that though scrub away any the surface rust. This will aid in keeping the dowels in their place and provide a solid foundation to hold onto. Removing the Hinges Most hinges on doors can be removed, which makes it easier to move the door from one side to the other or to take the entire door off the frame, if needed. Removing the hinges is fairly easy for anyone with patience, although you have to know how to do it properly. If the hinges have been painted it is necessary to remove it prior to trying to remove the pins. It is possible to scratch your door if do not remove the paint. Place the hinges in a stainless steel pot and fill it with water until the hinges are 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 get rid of the pins. Once the pins are loose, 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 project. This type of screwdriver was designed to pick up screws made of steel and will make the project speed up. It is a good practice to spray lubricant onto the hinges prior to trying to remove them. A simple lubricant will help the process go by more quickly and make it easier to remove the pins and screws. This type of lubricant can be found in most hardware stores as well as home improvement shops. The number of hinges required will also vary depending on the kind of door you have and the way it's installed. Solid-cored and heavier doors will require more hinges while hollow-cored and lighter doors might only need two or three. It is also important to understand the different types of hinges to determine which ones be the most effective for your particular situation. Exterior hinges are designed to hold the weight of a door, whereas interior hinges need to be able to support heavier loads. Reattaching the Hinges Over time, a door hinge can loosen and begin to sag or hang crookedly. This can be a problem however, it's usually simple to fix. In most cases, a simple retightening of the screw will resolve the issue. However when the screw holes are ripped out, this can be more difficult to accomplish. A wood dowel could be used to tighten these holes again. Begin 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 using wood glue and a wooden stick. To ensure a tight fit, the dowel must be cut at the same length as the screw. Install the screw again and tighten it until you are satisfied with the tightness. If the door is still unable to be bounded up, you can insert another dowel into the gap. Repeat the procedure. Be sure to close the door slowly to verify the clearances at the perimeter after each adjustment. Another option is to just use an old-fashioned wood plug instead of a dowel. It's also possible, but may take some time to put in. You can tap in the wood piece that has been whittled down to the right size. If you don't own a woodworking instrument or toothpicks, you can make use of toothpicks or matchsticks made of wood. Use a countersink to make the hole smaller for the head of screw after you have put it back in place. This will stop the screw from hitting the edges of the doors when they are closed and opened. This will allow you to tighten the screw when you are reinstalling the hinge. After reinstalling the hinge, make sure to lubricate the hinge using dry lubricant. This will prevent it from getting stuck in the future. Products such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench are excellent alternatives. Apply a thin coating and allow it to penetrate the hinge barrel for about 15 minutes. Refinishing the Hinges If you're not ready to replace hinges, you could try a few simple fixes. The first step is to ensure that the screws securing the hinge plate to the door and frame are tight. If More Tips , tighten them with a screwdriver or power drill. Be careful not to tighten the screws so tight that they create gaps at the trim joints or, even more damagingly remove the threads. If you're experiencing issues because the hinge plates are separating from the jamb and door, you can reattach the hinges by applying wood glue to the plate's back and then inserting wooden dowels or toothpicks into the holes. The toothpicks and dowels provide an solid foundation for the screws, and prevent the plates from moving as you drive them in. Let the glue dry before reattaching the hinge. Another reason that causes loose hinges is that the screws are stripped or gone. This can be corrected by replacing the screws. Be sure to use the correct drill bit for the size of the screw hole to avoid drilling into other parts of the hinge or jamb. After you've reattached your hinge close the door and check the gap between the frame and the door. The gap should be the thickness of a penny all around or less if an older door was not properly hung. If the hinges were installed correctly, this should not be a problem. If you notice that the hinges remain loose, you can try adding a thicker hinge shim between the hinge plate and the mounting surface, to create a little extra space. You could also try taking the hinge pin from the problem hinge and then pounding it with a hammer to make it more secure or using the hinge pin from a different angle altogether. You can also grease your hinges with mineral oil or jojoba to reduce friction and keep them in place. Periodically lubricating your hinges can aid in keeping them from becoming stiff or squeaky, and will also prolong their lifespan. Cleaning the Hinges The continuous movement of hinges creates friction, which attracts dust particles. These particles can become stuck and accumulate in the moving parts of door hinges if they are not cleaned and lubricated regularly. As a result, the hinge becomes stiff and creaky and its appearance could deteriorate rapidly. Regular cleaning, lubrication and inspection will preserve the quality and function of hinges on doors. Examine the hinges for corrosion. 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 have to replace the hinges. If you can save the hinges, remove any loose rust by using steel wool and wire brush. Then, apply a commercial rust remover or a homemade solution, such as lemon juice to the hinge. Let the rust remover sit on the hinge for a few minutes to dissolve and penetrate any remaining corrosion. Retightening screws can restore hinge function If you don't wish to spend money or time to replace hinges. If you've stripped the screws however, it might be necessary to add an wooden dowel or shim to the hinge. Wooden dowels come in round rods of varying sizes and lengths. You can buy them online, in stores selling woodworking supplies and home improvement stores. You can also make an shim out of metal or plastic depending on the type of hinge you own. To make a dowel, cut a piece of wooden dowel or any other durable material to the size you want. You can then dip a dowel in carpenter's glue and then insert it into the hole. The glue will hold the dowel securely in place. Before cleaning the hinges, lay down a piece of paper cloth or towel to protect your flooring from spills. After securing the area then clean the hinges using an easy sponge or cloth dipped into mild cleaner to get rid of dirt, grime, and tarnish. You can use a toothbrush or small brush to reach hard-to-reach spots in crevices and tight areas.