How to Replace Door Hinges

Have squeaky, grating or floppy door hinges worn your patience a little thin? Let's replace them and make your comings and goings less stressful.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric drill and assorted bits
• Straight claw hammers
• Wood glues
• Slotted screwdrivers
• Slip joint
• Golf tees

1. Remove the hinge pins by using a screwdriver to tap up on the bottom edge of the head of each pin. Sometimes your hand will be enough; other times you may need to be a little more persuasive and use a hammer to tap the screwdriver.

2. Remove the pins once they pop loose, then lift the door free by separating the two halves of the hinge assembly. Be careful–—sometimes the door will practically separate on its own.

3. Remember that some doors, especially exterior ones, can be quite heavy. Lift with care.

4. Remove the 2 halves of 1 set of hinges from the door edge and the door jamb by taking out the mounting screws.

5. Take these to your local hardware store or home improvement center, and purchase replacements that meet both the size requirements of your sample and the style requirements of your taste and budget.

6. Make sure you buy enough to replace each set of hinges on the door. Some have 2 sets; others have 3. Weight is often the determining factor.

7. Split the new hinges. This is often most easily accomplished by holding the hinge in one hand and pulling the pin with a pair of pliers in the other. A gentle twisting and tugging motion is usually enough.

8. Use the provided mounting screws to put each hinge half in its proper place. Repeat this process with each set of hinges.

9. Set the door back in place on the hinges and slide the pins into place. A tap with a hammer is sometimes needed to completely seat them in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Putting 1 longer screw into the door jamb side of the hinges can help keep the hinges on an extra-heavy door from working loose and getting floppy.
• Holes that have been stripped out over time can be plugged with a golf tee dipped in wood glue and pushed snugly into the hole. Cut off the excess after the glue dries and drill new properly sized screw holes.

[projectmgr]

on 8/13/2008 Its not a good idea to take your outside door off and then go to the lumber yard for hinges. Outside doors usually have 3 hinges on them. Take off the centre hinge and close and lock your door before going to the lumber yard. Perform step one when you have the new hinges in hand.