View Full Version : Is my front door too heavy for the hinges or...?
Been in this house over 10 years, the front door has mostly been fine - had to adjust the latch "hole" a bit once or twice over the years but no big deal. A few months ago, we had the front door re-painted and the painters pulled off the weather stripping, etc. and never got around to putting it back on. I can't imagine that is really a big deal, but I mention it just in case. I don't think they did anything with the hinges, etc. when I wasn't watching like removing them to paint or anything.
Maybe a month or so ago, we started having problems with the front door not closing/latching when shut without some care to it. It's been getting worse. Basically it looks like it's dropped lower a significant amount. I took a look at the hinges and I'm not sure what I'm looking at. They don't seem to "fit" anymore, and it almost looks like they've deformed enough where one side is sliding inside the other a bit. This is the case for all 4 hinges.
This is not something I can just fix by pulling the pins and re-seating them, right? To me, it looks like the door is just too heavy for the hinges and has pulled down and deformed/ruined them...? Who do I call to re-hang a door properly? I am fairly handy but not sure I want to mess with leveling and hanging a door. Do I need better hinges? All the advice I could find online about sagging doors had to do with uneven sagging that you can fix with a couple long screws, and I think we're beyond that point. There's not much room to sink a long screw anyway, because there's glass surrounding the front door (maybe it's time to make that go away too, sigh...)
https://i.imgur.com/OxwyVjl.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/q6aydIO.jpg?1
Have you tried tightening the screws? Especially of the door jamb side and specifically the top hinge?
Once I even put longer screws in to grab more wood.
I?d try tightening the hardware first before I spent any money.
Looks like you use that door a lot. The hinges are starting to erode due to them sliding against each other without lube <haha
New hinges, add a bit of oil this time. No need to call a pro, the hinges will use the existing holes and should level fine.
buffalobo
02-19-2020, 07:27
Do you have to lift on latch/handle side to latch?
Any other work done around jamb or framing besides just paint?
Inspect weather stripping closely, if removed and reinstalled incorrectly it can cause fitment issues. Always recommend new weather strip if removed
Can often substitute next gauge larger screws if side lights cause issue with longer screws.
Is door/side lights single unit or separate units?
Start with Rays recommendation and report back.
Looks like you use that door a lot. The hinges are starting to erode due to them sliding against each other without lube <haha
New hinges, add a bit of oil this time. No need to call a pro, the hinges will use the existing holes and should level fine.
^This
For a fast snd free check, swap the top and bottom hinnge. Leave center hinge alone and support the bottom outdide of the door with shims when you swap them.
ChickNorris
02-19-2020, 08:29
Wont do you much good to try & correct the alignment if you tighten down while open, under load & already in the wrong postion.
There are YouTube vids that are good for explaining how to shim & the order of operations.
Or maybe your house has settled and you need like $40K of foundation work?
There shouldn’t be those gaps between the two sets of hinges. You’re missing the round bearings that fill in those gaps and lifts up the whole hinge. The painters (or someone in the past) didn’t reassemble the hinge correctly, they lost the two bearings that should be in there..
Look at the two bearings in this hinge photo:
https://secure.img1-fg.wfcdn.com/im/56179182/resize-h800-w800%5Ecompr-r85/7865/78659754/4+H+x+4+W+ButtBall+Bearing+Single+Door+Hinge.jpg
newracer
02-19-2020, 08:54
I'd get some beefier hinges, ones with bearing if you can, should be a simple replacement.
This is what you should have:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sbyQTgpwHlAdUInopkWE6LO5ULTXSaKoPtyPZS64YFw59kJ9hv A-4f3R3-8j8Gff27Go6pb4QTKD1U7l9w-eaky8ng95cQdfF3r-LPSfGu1L1nB2IjaVvEqNbAzytSHRvGyIYsDQ0CoQgX3vpuJTJH NsDZ3HQ-2an2yBhY0qwUmSwtHpfKaDaC4NON6hAEpEBt9uyu6s7yq3GwTR 6E0LRHRtqng1HGbTqeW-2SR58oZJsePcr0g_az9idA7wYBPOlX51cek74VeVbbp9ChXyvw So_t9iSSK_G_M1xXpx8tsKYVXsB0EhDV8eIBUU4_3-7abQG5RKLnvYRSXXOYZpsrAfv8k_2sp9aAMYv3wiBf_nJoykEe ncEGsoETCv7RAZhH59Xs18lTooGLAvczUl59vGflCfMQaFW-SsOZICO4Gq6Esv-tXBvJSLwaHVYHoyKXWdb4JVIyQvSy_FDOT7Uc158hDALjbG9ne NUl3pRmMEZpRBeUmzrImxhrDW5Y8Yo_36Ym0atgZyY0sXD-LYNOPxHMEwMPk0Gk8IWOK4MAEKZVkbpsCJgrng258Z4LBAhptQ-Qnc3x2MZVwubyCE3MPP5MBGUIRlUjrV6xc_1WIpdmDAwnh4H6b mJBAK-Xncc2m7-FsUVF69nQF0vIJxyzrFgmL9mQkpP7jPbnPDO0vN_CF5LBbU3nc =w715-h779-no
This is what you should have:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sbyQTgpwHlAdUInopkWE6LO5ULTXSaKoPtyPZS64YFw59kJ9hv A-4f3R3-8j8Gff27Go6pb4QTKD1U7l9w-eaky8ng95cQdfF3r-LPSfGu1L1nB2IjaVvEqNbAzytSHRvGyIYsDQ0CoQgX3vpuJTJH NsDZ3HQ-2an2yBhY0qwUmSwtHpfKaDaC4NON6hAEpEBt9uyu6s7yq3GwTR 6E0LRHRtqng1HGbTqeW-2SR58oZJsePcr0g_az9idA7wYBPOlX51cek74VeVbbp9ChXyvw So_t9iSSK_G_M1xXpx8tsKYVXsB0EhDV8eIBUU4_3-7abQG5RKLnvYRSXXOYZpsrAfv8k_2sp9aAMYv3wiBf_nJoykEe ncEGsoETCv7RAZhH59Xs18lTooGLAvczUl59vGflCfMQaFW-SsOZICO4Gq6Esv-tXBvJSLwaHVYHoyKXWdb4JVIyQvSy_FDOT7Uc158hDALjbG9ne NUl3pRmMEZpRBeUmzrImxhrDW5Y8Yo_36Ym0atgZyY0sXD-LYNOPxHMEwMPk0Gk8IWOK4MAEKZVkbpsCJgrng258Z4LBAhptQ-Qnc3x2MZVwubyCE3MPP5MBGUIRlUjrV6xc_1WIpdmDAwnh4H6b mJBAK-Xncc2m7-FsUVF69nQF0vIJxyzrFgmL9mQkpP7jPbnPDO0vN_CF5LBbU3nc =w715-h779-no
I dont think these are the hinges that have those bearings. The gaps dont line up to needing them. Admittedly, those would be much better if he has a heavy ass door.
This is what you should have:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sbyQTgpwHlAdUInopkWE6LO5ULTXSaKoPtyPZS64YFw59kJ9hv A-4f3R3-8j8Gff27Go6pb4QTKD1U7l9w-eaky8ng95cQdfF3r-LPSfGu1L1nB2IjaVvEqNbAzytSHRvGyIYsDQ0CoQgX3vpuJTJH NsDZ3HQ-2an2yBhY0qwUmSwtHpfKaDaC4NON6hAEpEBt9uyu6s7yq3GwTR 6E0LRHRtqng1HGbTqeW-2SR58oZJsePcr0g_az9idA7wYBPOlX51cek74VeVbbp9ChXyvw So_t9iSSK_G_M1xXpx8tsKYVXsB0EhDV8eIBUU4_3-7abQG5RKLnvYRSXXOYZpsrAfv8k_2sp9aAMYv3wiBf_nJoykEe ncEGsoETCv7RAZhH59Xs18lTooGLAvczUl59vGflCfMQaFW-SsOZICO4Gq6Esv-tXBvJSLwaHVYHoyKXWdb4JVIyQvSy_FDOT7Uc158hDALjbG9ne NUl3pRmMEZpRBeUmzrImxhrDW5Y8Yo_36Ym0atgZyY0sXD-LYNOPxHMEwMPk0Gk8IWOK4MAEKZVkbpsCJgrng258Z4LBAhptQ-Qnc3x2MZVwubyCE3MPP5MBGUIRlUjrV6xc_1WIpdmDAwnh4H6b mJBAK-Xncc2m7-FsUVF69nQF0vIJxyzrFgmL9mQkpP7jPbnPDO0vN_CF5LBbU3nc =w715-h779-no
^Now This
You will probably need new hinges after using these without the bearings for a while - ground them down a bit.
I dont think these are the hinges that have those bearings. The gaps dont line up to needing them. Admittedly, those would be much better if he has a heavy ass door.
They are supposed to have bearings, thats why there are two gaps.
They are supposed to have bearings, thats why there are two gaps.
If you leveled the plates, and noted the clearly eroded surfaces (angled face), I dont believe there are supposed to be bearings on this particular hinge. Additionally, if it had bearings, they would be on top and bottom journals, not bottom and middle.
https://www.amazon.com/Penrod-Hinges-Rubbed-Bronze-Bearing/dp/B0764LDGFP
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81h4CuAdU9L._SL1500_.jpg
If you leveled the plates, and noted the clearly eroded surfaces (angled face), I dont believe there are supposed to be bearings on this particular hinge. Additionally, if it had bearings, they would be on top and bottom journals, not bottom and middle.
Unless it had thin bearings/washers between all journals.
Can't imagine enough wear to creat those gaps - there would be piles of metal dust on the floor from four hinges grinding that much metal away.
check the other doors in the house and see if their hinges have bearings/washers.
Either way, easiest to just replace hinges with new.
What def90 said, get some ball bear hinges. They will open and close much easier. They are what are used in commercial applications.
I replaced all mine with hinges from here:
https://www.hingeoutlet.com/collections/ball-bearing-hinges
Great response time if you have any questions or concerns.
colorider
02-19-2020, 13:53
Some hinges don’t have bearings or spacers. Actually, a lot of older ones don’t. Your hinge has simply worn out. Every time you use the door the hinge is wearing more causing it to drop down. Replace hinge with style of your choice. Simple fix.
Some hinges don’t have bearings or spacers. Actually, a lot of older ones don’t. Your hinge has simply worn out. Every time you use the door the hinge is wearing more causing it to drop down. Replace hinge with style of your choice. Simple fix.
My house is under 4 years old and none of my doors have bearings. The exterior doors have heavier hinges, but no spacers.
Can't imagine enough wear to creat those gaps - there would be piles of metal dust on the floor from four hinges grinding that much metal away.
Yep. I have some worn hinges on the door between the garage and the house. You will definitely see material on the floor below the hinges when the gaps start growing.
OK great - thanks everybody for all the info so far. Sounds like I may have an option here I can deal with. So I need to pick out some new hinges - sounds like regardless of what I had, that the ball bearing heavy duty hinges are the way to go at this point...
When it comes to replacing them, I'm assuming I do it with the door open of course but need to shim/lift the door back into the proper height and do one hinge at a time - ideally replacing as is, but filling in holes as needed and/or using thicker screws if they're loose (I don't think I'll be able to use longer screws due to the close sidelights).
Given the door will need to be at least partially open and stay level, any pro tips? Or do I just use a crowbar as leverage to lift it up and jam some wood shims in there to hold it in place as best I can at the right height? Am I overthinking it to wonder whether I should replace the top hinge or bottom first?
I would:
Pull all of the pins on the existing hinges and set door aside.
Remove hinge plates from door and frame
Pull pins on new hinges and separate them
Install hinge plates on door and frame (keeping like-for-like on the door vs the frame if your OCD is going to go off)
Lift door into place and have a helper drop the pins in.
Done
I work on houses and commercial buildings doing access control systems among other things. Even in houses that are over 100 years old I have never seen a hinge with gaps from wear. Those hinges had bearings or spacers in them at one time that were not put back in.
As for replacing the current hinges, buy hinges that are the same size with the same hole pattern. Take the door off, remove all the hinge plates and install the new hinge plates. Put the door back on.
Even in houses that are over 100 years old I have never seen a hinge with gaps from wear.
My house isn?t anywhere near a hundred years old but I might post up a couple of pictures of my worn door hinges. The door in question probably gets opened and closed eight to ten times a day. Probably nearly double that number when the kids were still living with us. Twenty five years in the house and it wasn?t new when we moved in. Just since we?ve been there the door has probably opened and closed over 90,000 times.
Sheesh. I guess maybe I should get some new hinges soon. Still opens and closes decently though.
For what it's worth, I don't have another exterior door to compare to (other than the garage doors which have auto-close hinges) but it looks like most of the interior doors have bearings on them. So maybe the painters removed the door at some point to paint the trim and didn't put it back together right. That would made sense with the timing...
I would:
Pull all of the pins on the existing hinges and set door aside.
Remove hinge plates from door and frame
Pull pins on new hinges and separate them
Install hinge plates on door and frame (keeping like-for-like on the door vs the frame if your OCD is going to go off)
Lift door into place and have a helper drop the pins in.
Done
+1
Worn or not, they're not right. Replace the hinges.
Seems simple, but make sure you look at the hinge shape before you order so you don't end up with square corners trying to fit into rounded corners.
Seems simple, but make sure you look at the hinge shape before you order so you don't end up with square corners trying to fit into rounded corners.
Shit, take one off and take it to the depot with you. Doubt its gonna get worse.
Shit, take one off and take it to the depot with you. Doubt its gonna get worse.
In that case, I'd take off one in the middle.
Seems simple, but make sure you look at the hinge shape before you order so you don't end up with square corners trying to fit into rounded corners.
Meh. That?s what wood chisels are for.
buffalobo
02-19-2020, 19:47
More than likely painters never even knew those bearings were there(they are painters) and ignored it when noticed if they noticed.
I would call the painter, he needs take care of it and weather strip or refund you some money. No clue on your deal with painter but creating work and expense for you with out notice is BS.
Just calling local handyman could easily run $200+. Keep track your your time and matl.
Your painter took advantage of you.
I agree with Lobo. I painted "professionally" for close to a decade and it sounds like they rushed finishing up or were just bad painters. Good luck getting anything out of them though. While your at depot get some thick paint sticks to use as a prop for under the door while you hang it, makes life and toes a bit happier.
I would make a horrible painter. I wouldn?t even think of pulling doors off their hinges.
I would make a horrible painter. I wouldn?t even think of pulling doors off their hinges.
In that case, stay away from appliance delivery as well. ;-)
More than likely painters never even knew those bearings were there(they are painters) and ignored it when noticed if they noticed.
I would call the painter, he needs take care of it and weather strip or refund you some money. No clue on your deal with painter but creating work and expense for you with out notice is BS.
Just calling local handyman could easily run $200+. Keep track your your time and matl.
Your painter took advantage of you.
Yep agreed, and no worries there. They were honestly great to work with other than this, and I have no doubt they will make it right. We ended up pausing the work for a couple weeks due to a joint decision that probably complicated this whole thing. That being said, at this point I think I'd probably rather just do the fix myself given they were great at painting and not great at doors, LOL. They have some additional work coming up and we'll make sure they account for this one way or the other in the bill...
Have you heard of the new hinge-less doors a millennial invented? Supposed to be the next big thing.
https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffeelthehome.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F07%2Fcool-hippie-door-beads-curtain.jpg&f=1&nofb=1
Seems simple, but make sure you look at the hinge shape before you order so you don't end up with square corners trying to fit into rounded corners.
Yeah I was poking around online earlier today and apparently the screw pattern, color, etc. I have is not super common. Figures. I'm sure I'll track it down eventually, but there's 100 or more bronze that have the "zig zag" pattern, but the only ones I've seen so far with this pattern are self-closing or squared off (not rounded) hinges. LOL.
https://i.imgur.com/9VhUlIE.jpg?2
Have you heard of the new hinge-less doors a millennial invented? Supposed to be the next big thing.
LOL, I dunno, maybe those would scare off more solicitors...? :)
Yeah I was poking around online earlier today and apparently the screw pattern, color, etc. I have is not super common. Figures. I'm sure I'll track it down eventually, but there's 100 or more bronze that have the "zig zag" pattern, but the only ones I've seen so far with this pattern are self-closing or squared off (not rounded) hinges. LOL.
I suppose I could just buy the same therma-tru hinges - they have local resellers according to the website, and there's probably nothing wrong with the hinges if they're used properly.
Brian, if you would like, send me a PM and I will volunteer to come over on whatever weekday after 5 or so to help you out. We can pull a hinge, head to the nearest box store, and reconstruct your door.
Dremmel and some krylon make square things look round[Coffee]
Or just chisel out the extra jam with a utility knife and then use a little sandpaper to finish up and remove the gouge marks
Brian, if you would like, send me a PM and I will volunteer to come over on whatever weekday after 5 or so to help you out. We can pull a hinge, head to the nearest box store, and reconstruct your door.
Dang that is a heck of a nice offer, and I sincerely appreciate it. I think though that you all have convinced me that this is not as big a deal as I thought it was going to be and I think I'll probably be good taking a first shot at least. I think for a bit there I was just venting/whining. We're at that point with this house where it's just old enough that it seems every week there's something new that needs attention - or maybe it's just that our kids are at that age where they just break things a lot faster, haha!
Complete side note related to home maintenance though to add a bit of fun... Our dryer vent had not been cleaned out in quite a while and it was taking a long time to dry a load. I tried one of those long-pole brush attachments you hook to a vacuum to from the outside vent - it sucked up a bit, but honestly it didn't seem to help much. Well... last week I crawled around in the basement and pulled the foil tape off the elbow joint on the vent tube and stuck a leaf blower in there on full blast. Holy cow was that a lot of fun to see. Crazy how much lint had built up in the tube and came flying out like a cannon... LOL.
Dremmel and some krylon make square things look round[Coffee]
Or just chisel out the extra jam with a utility knife and then use a little sandpaper to finish up and remove the gouge marks
I have some spare gunpowder, do you think that might work too if I'm careful...? :D
Just losen the hinge and pour some powder behind add a fuse and tighten ut back up, should do the trick.
Complete side note related to home maintenance though to add a bit of fun... Our dryer vent had not been cleaned out in quite a while and it was taking a long time to dry a load. I tried one of those long-pole brush attachments you hook to a vacuum to from the outside vent - it sucked up a bit, but honestly it didn't seem to help much. Well... last week I crawled around in the basement and pulled the foil tape off the elbow joint on the vent tube and stuck a leaf blower in there on full blast. Holy cow was that a lot of fun to see. Crazy how much lint had built up in the tube and came flying out like a cannon... LOL.
Should be cleaned regularly. We use a local guy in town that makes that his business - Stuart at LintFree Dryer Vent Cleaning, LLC (https://dryerventcleaningco.com/). $99 and he takes care of everything in about 1/2 hour. The cleaning before last he found my wife's drivers license in the vent. It went missing and she had gotten a replacement. Amazing to think that made it through the dryer's blower and everything.
Pretty amazing to see how fast clothes dry after that vent is cleaned.
That's a good PSA. I should clean ours today; especially since some sweaters seem to be having trouble lately.
I've worked multiple dryer fire started damaged buildings and appliances, they go up quick. I actually caused one as an appliance tech.
Lowes sells a kit that does ok as long as you dont have to go around a corner. Turn the dryer on and scrub about 12" then withdraw the brush and let it clear repeat. You can get the other side with just a decent shop vac
Should be cleaned regularly. We use a local guy in town that makes that his business - Stuart at LintFree Dryer Vent Cleaning, LLC (https://dryerventcleaningco.com/). $99 and he takes care of everything in about 1/2 hour. The cleaning before last he found my wife's drivers license in the vent. It went missing and she had gotten a replacement. Amazing to think that made it through the dryer's blower and everything.
Pretty amazing to see how fast clothes dry after that vent is cleaned.
Yep, this was definitely one of those... "I know better, but didn't remember to do it for... let's just say <a while>..." However, I did remember to change the anode rods in my hot water tank not too long ago, so maybe that makes up for it...? :) Hm but I do need to remember now to get my furnace serviced too. Can't remember the last time I've had that done. Dang it, the list is going to get long again if I don't distract myself with something... I did just change the battery in my Suburban about 20 mins ago - wanted to get that done before it got cold and snowy again. I don't know what Chevy was thinking putting it where they did, I had to watch a youtube video to figure out how to get the darn thing out of there without taking out the whole reservoir and everything. There's a perfect place and plenty of room on the other side, but whatever... let's wedge it in super tight in the upper corner. LOL, at least it's done now.
That's a good PSA. I should clean ours today; especially since some sweaters seem to be having trouble lately.
Makes a huge mess, but I recommend doing the leaf blower at least once just for the fun.
Just in case anyone needs any encouragement to not put off cleaning out your dryer vent, here's a before and after. You can see the "plug" that had probably 70-80% blocked the vent. This was after the first round of "scrubbing" from the far side but before the leaf blower and using the brush again from this end. Not sure but I think that orange color in the 2nd pic is just the flashlight reflecting off the inside of the tube joint.
https://i.imgur.com/HIIQUn8.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/RxSxLM4.jpg?1
Makes a huge mess, but I recommend doing the leaf blower at least once just for the fun.
I suppose you recommend blowing it from the outside?
Now that would be a mess.
Nice colonoscopy pictures by the way.
Hey all - just wanted to say thanks for the advice. You were all right, it was super easy to pull off the door and swap the hinges out. Hardly took any time at all, and the door is swinging and shutting/latching like new again. Not sure what I was worried about.
Hey all - just wanted to say thanks for the advice. You were all right, it was super easy to pull off the door and swap the hinges out. Hardly took any time at all, and the door is swinging and shutting/latching like new again. Not sure what I was worried about.
http://tomdelmundo.com/portfolio/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/You-can-do-it-gif-Waterboy-Img-JC2V.gif
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.