Hinge work I do
- Plugging and redrilling stripped screw holes
- Three-inch screws into the framing at the top hinge
- Replacing bent hinges, matching size and corner radius
- Cleaning and freeing painted-over hinges
- Quieting squeaky pins
- Shimming hinges so the door sits even in the frame
Heavy old doors
With 52.3 percent of homes over 60 years old, many San Gabriel houses have solid wood doors on hinges that have been painted over many times. Paint fills the knuckles, the pins bind, and the weight of the door works the top screws loose.
I try to keep original hinges where they’re sound, stripping paint from them instead of swapping in a mismatched set.
Steps
Look at the gaps
Uneven gaps around the door show which hinge has moved.
Repair the wood
Stripped holes are plugged with glued dowels.
Reset
Hinges go back on with long screws to the stud.
Test
I check the swing and the latch.
When the frame is the problem
A split or rotted jamb, or a badly warped door, may need more than a hinge fix. I’ll tell you if so.
On the same San Gabriel visit, people also tend to ask about sticking door repair, door latch and knob repair or closet door repair.
What to send
A photo of the hinges and of the gap where the door hits.
Hinge questions
The door won’t latch and the gap at the top is uneven. Related?
Yes. The door has dropped on its hinges, so the latch no longer meets the strike.
How do you fix a stripped door hinge screw hole?
I glue in a wood plug or dowel and redrill, or use a longer screw into the framing.
Why does my door hit the frame?
Usually the top hinge has loosened and the door has dropped.
Can you match old hinges?
Often. If not, I replace all hinges on the door so they match each other.
How much does door hinge repair cost?
It depends on the door. Text a photo for a free estimate.
Door guides
- Heavy plank doors that sag, drag or will not latchHow we fix heavy plank and arched doors with iron strap hinges in San Gabriel's Mission Revival homes: sagging, dragging and latches that miss.
- Keeping vintage door hardware workingHow we repair, adjust and replace old mortise locks, glass knobs and skeleton-key hardware on the heavy doors in older San Gabriel homes.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our doors, cabinets and hardware group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.