How to Repair & Replace Door Hinges - A Comprehensive Guide
At Leader Online, we understand that even the smallest details matter when it comes to home improvement, and replacing door hinges is a fairly straightforward task that can significantly enhance your doors' functionality and appearance.
Our comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of replacing your door hinges, ensuring your doors swing smoothly and securely. Whether you’re a DIY expert or a novice trying your hand at home improvements for the first time, our easy-to-follow instructions will help you achieve professional results with minimal effort required.
Table of contents:
- Why do hinge pins come out?
- How to check if your door hinges are loose
- How to fix screw holes
- How to replace door hinges
Why do hinge pins come out?There are several reasons why hinge pins can become loose and fall out. Over time, regular use can cause wear and tear, loosening the pins. Improper installation or door misalignment can also cause pins to work their way out. Additionally, environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature changes, can cause the door and hinges to expand and contract, contributing to pin movement. Lastly, the quality of your hinges may make them more prone to coming out, as poor-quality hinges can lack the necessary friction to stay securely in place.
How to check if your door hinges are loose
Before you begin changing every door hinge in your home, it’s best to check whether or not your hinges are loose first, as it will help you determine if it’s an issue with your hinges or your door's hardware.
To check if your door hinges are loose, open and close the door slowly, observing any unusual creaking sounds or movements. Next, hold the door by the knob or handle and gently lift it upwards. If you see any movement around the hinge screws, they need to be re-tightened.
Inspect the hinges for gaps between the hinge leaves and the door frame. You can also use a screwdriver to tighten the hinge screws gently; if they move without resistance, the hinges are not securely fastened and either need tightening or replacing with newer screws with better friction.
How to fix screw holesIf you’re finding that your hinge screws are loose and will not tighten with a screwdriver, it may be the case that the holes they’re drilled into may be stripped and unable to hold the weight of the door efficiently. Luckily, there is an easy, cost-effective way to remedy this before replacing your hinges.
What you’ll need:
- Blocks of wood or a sturdy doorstop
- Screwdriver
- A power drill
- A drill bit
- Matchsticks or wooden dowels
- Wood or carpenter glue
- Hammer
- Secure the door with the doorstop
Before you start working on the door, it’s a good idea to keep it propped open and secure whilst you’re working on it so it doesn’t move around and impede your repairs. We suggest using a sturdy doorstop, but if there isn’t one available, you could use wood blocks to prop the door open.
- Remove the old screws from the door hinge
Screw the old screws out of the door frame using the screwdriver and discard them. If the screws attaching the hinge to the door are in good condition, you can leave the hinge attached. If not, remove and dispose of those too.
- Size the dowel or matchstick
Before any drilling work, you will want to ensure that the hole size will be a good match for the diameter of your wooden dowels or matchsticks. You will need to resize the dowel to fit the depth of the hole it needs to fill. Simply insert the dowel or matchstick into the first hole and mark how far it goes with a pencil. Pull it out and trim it into a small bit that sits at around 1 inch in length. Do this for as many holes as you need to fill until you have enough dowels.
- Drill out the holes and place the dowels
Use your power drill to clean up the existing hole to prepare it for the wooden dowel. After this, apply a small amount of the wood glue to the base of the dowel or matchstick and fit it into the hole. Drive the dowel in by lightly hammering it. You should trim any excess sticking out of the hole and sand it down so it sits flush with the frame.
- Pre-drill the holes and install the new screws
Once you’ve allowed the glue to dry and cure, drill a pilot hole in the centre of the dowel or matchstick before you install the new screw. For the most accurate positioning, mark the wood through the openings of the hinge. Once the pilot holes have been drilled, line the hinge up with the holes and start the new screws. Avoid overtightening the new screws, as you’ll end up stripping the hole again. Simply use a screwdriver to get the screws tight enough for the hinge not to budge.
How to replace door hinges
If you find that the issues are with the hinges themselves, or you’re simply changing them up to match other elements of your door hardware, you may want to replace them with new hinges.
Replacing hinges is slightly more tricky than retightening screws or fixing screw holes, but it can be a relatively simple job if you have the right tools and tips to help you.
Choosing the correct type of hinges
Before you purchase new hinges, carefully consider which type of hinge you need. Several door hinges are available, and the one you use will depend on the door you’re working on.
- Flush hinges are one of the most versatile hinge types. They can be used for anything with a flat or ‘flush’ surface, such as cabinets or internal doors.
- Tee hinges are used on external doors such as wooden doors or garden gates because they are hard-wearing and typically made from strong, galvanised materials.
- Parliament hinges are used for doors you want to open easily up to 180 degrees, such as emergency or fire doors.
- Double action hinges, sometimes called spring hinges, allow a door to open 180 degrees in both directions and automatically return the door to the centre.
What you’ll need
- New hinges
- Blocks of wood or sturdy doorstop
- Power drill
- Screwdriver
- Tape measure
- Pencil
Step 1: Support the door
As with doing any work on your doors, the first step you will need to take is wedging the door so it is secure. For this job, prop the door open to expose the hinge. You won’t need to remove the door, so the doorstop will ensure everything is secure and isn’t going to move whilst you change the hinges.
Step 2: Check your measurements
Ensure your new hinges are a good match for your doors. If the old hinges were a good fit but have just become old and worn, check your new hinges against them to see if they match the size and shape. This is also a great opportunity to check whether the old hinges were in the correct position. One should be placed 7 inches from the top of the door frame; the other should be 11 inches from the bottom Use your tape measure to check and mark the correct positions with your pencil.
Most doors only require two hinges, but if you’re replacing them on a heavier door, which may need three, the third will fit directly in the middle of the first two.
Step 3: Remove the old hinges & prepare the jamb for the new ones
Starting with the upper hinge, remove the screws while holding the hinge into place. Pull the hinge leaves away from the door and the jamb, and ensure the wood underneath is in good condition. As mentioned earlier, this is a good opportunity to fill unneeded holes and repair any stripped holes before installing the new hinges.
Step 4: Install the new hinges
Starting with the top hinge, place the new hinge in your desired position; use a screwdriver or a drill to secure each side and place the hinge pin in the middle of the hinge. Repeat this with the rest of the hinges.
Step 5: Test the new hinges
Remove the blocks or doorstop securing the door and open and close it a few times to ensure your hinges are tight enough and the range of motion is smooth.
Shop top-quality hinges at Leader Online
At Leader Online, we offer a premium selection of door hinges and accessories designed to meet the highest quality and durability standards. Our range houses various styles and finishes, ensuring you find the perfect match for any door in your space.
Each hinge is expertly crafted using robust materials, providing reliable performance and smooth operation for years. Whether replacing old hinges or installing new doors, our top-quality hinges ensure a seamless and secure fit.
