Putting a door back on its hinges is a task that many homeowners inevitably have to tackle at some point. While it may seem daunting, with some preparation and the right tools, you can absolutely rehang a door by yourself.
Page Contents
Assess the Situation
Before you start, you’ll want to fully assess the situation. Start by examining the door itself. Is the door still in its frame or has it been fully removed? Are the hinges still attached to the door itself? Examine the hinge plates – are any screws missing or pulled out of the frame? Knowing exactly what you’re working with will determine the steps you need to take.
Next, look at the door frame. Are the hinge mortises (the recesses in the frame that the hinges sit in) still intact? Make sure there is no damage or rotting wood that would prevent the hinges from sitting properly. Examine whether the frame itself is still square and plumb. If the frame is crooked, you’ll need to address that issue before attempting to rehang the door.
Finally, assess what caused the door to come off in the first place. Was it loose hinge screws? Heavy use and wear? Are the hinges damaged and need to be replaced? Understanding the root cause will help prevent the same problem from happening again down the road.
Gather Your Materials
Rehanging a door requires just a handful of basic supplies:
- Screwdriver
- Wood shims
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Replacement hinge screws
- New hinge plates (if needed)
It’s also very helpful to have a selection of clamps, a hammer, a drill with various bits, and some spare scrap wood for temporary bracing. Having these tools on hand will make the process much easier.
Prepare the Door
With your supplies gathered, you can start prepping the door itself. First, remove any existing hinge screws or hardware. If the hinges are damaged, remove them completely and replace with new hinge plates.
If the hinge mortises have loosened over time, you may need to patch and rebuild them using wood glue and shims. Cut shims to size, coat with wood glue, and tap gently into the mortises until they are tight again. Wipe away any excess glue and allow to fully dry.
You’ll also want to smooth and clean the hinge and mortise surfaces. Use sandpaper to remove any rough edges or paint buildup so the hinges sit flush. Vacuum out old screw holes and mortises to remove debris before reattaching.
Prepare the Door Frame
Just as you prepped the door, you’ll also need to get the frame ready to accept the hinges again. As with the hinge mortises on the door, fill any gaps or deterioration in the frame’s mortises using shims and wood glue. Allow the glue patches to fully cure.
Check that the frame itself is still square using a carpenter’s square. If the top or sides are out of square, you may need to adjust them back into position before hanging the door. You want the frame to be in as close to original condition as possible.
Finish up by sanding around the mortise recesses to remove paint and expose clean wood. Vacuum out all sawdust and debris when done.
Rehang the Door
Now comes time to actually rehang the door in the frame. This takes some finesse and patience, but can absolutely be done solo with the right approach.
Place the door back in its frame, but keep it resting on blocks or spacers – do not let it hang from the hinges yet. Position it in the frame such that the spacing on both sides and top are even.
Insert two of the hinge screws into the middle and bottom holes on the top hinge plate. Drive them halfway in – enough to loosely hold the hinge in place.
Now carefully lift the door, sliding shims under the bottom edge until the door is in its original closed position. Have someone else help support the door in this position if needed. Drive the two initial hinge screws the rest of the way in to secure the door.
Check that the door sits squarely in the frame, with even gaps on all sides. Insert shims between the door and frame as needed until you achieve an even reveal.
With the door aligned, insert the remaining hinge screws into the top hinge plate, driving them tight. Then insert the screws for the middle and bottom hinge plates as well.
Open and close the door a few times to test operation. The door should swing freely without rubbing. If not, loosen the hinges, adjust with shims, and re-tighten screws until the spacing is perfect.
Finish Up
With the door securely rehung, there are just a few finishing touches. Remove any temporary shims once the screws are fully tight.
Fill any old screw holes using wood putty. Let dry completely and sand smooth.
Finally, repaint or finish the hinges and surrounding door frame to hide any glue patches or new screw holes.
And that’s it – you’ve successfully rehung a door by yourself! Just be sure to check the tightness of the screws in the future to prevent loosening and the door sagging again over time.
Tips for Rehanging Doors
Follow these tips to make your door rehanging project go as smoothly as possible:
- Fill hinge mortises with glue and shims to recreate a tight fit if loose
- Sand surfaces for maximum adhesive and screw grip
- Pre-drill pilot holes to prevent wood from splitting
- Partially drive screws on top hinge first to hold door in place
- Use shims and spacers to align door before driving screws tight
- Open and close door to test for smooth operation
- Remove shims once screws are tight
- Fill old screw holes and finish hinges/trim for clean look
What to Do If Rehanging the Door Is Too Complex
There are some situations where a door has come too far off its hinges, or the frame is damaged enough, that simply rehanging the original door may not be possible. If you run into issues like:
- Hinges are broken or missing
- Frame is crooked or warped
- Significant gaps between door and frame
- Old screw holes are severely enlarged
In cases like this, you may need to take more extensive measures like:
- Replacing damaged hinges
- Reinforcing or replacing the door frame
- Filling gaps and holes with epoxy filler, wood filler, or shims
- Re-boring for larger screws
- Trimming the door or frame for better fit
If the frame itself needs structural work, it may be wise to call in a professional rather than attempting those complex repairs yourself.
Know When to Call a Professional
While rehanging a door is often a DIY job, there are some cases where you should call a carpenter instead. Seek professional help if:
- The frame needs major repairs or reinforcement
- The door will not sit squarely no matter what adjustments you make
- The door continues to stick or rub even after rehanging
- You don’t have the right tools for the job
- You don’t feel comfortable doing the work yourself
A seasoned carpenter can assess any underlying issues and ensure the door hangs properly for the long term. The cost of hiring help is also reasonable for most homeowners.
Conclusion
Rehanging a fallen door is a project most DIYers can tackle successfully themselves. With some basic tools, supplies, patience, and the right techniques, you can get your door back on track. Just be sure to thoroughly prep the door and frame first, and use shims during the process to achieve an even reveal. If issues come up that are beyond your skill level, don’t be afraid to call a professional. But in most typical cases, you can absolutely rehang a door solo with great results.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Screwdriver | Removing and driving screws |
| Wood shims | Leveling door in frame |
| Wood glue | Securing shims in hinge mortises |
| Sandpaper | Smoothing hinge and mortise surfaces |
| Replacement hinge screws | Securing hinges tightly |
| New hinge plates | Replacing damaged hinges |
| Clamps | Bracing door temporarily |
| Hammer | Tapping in shims |
| Drill | Drilling pilot holes |
| Scrap wood | Shimming and bracing |
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Loose hinge mortises | Build up with glue and shims |
| Crooked door frame | Square frame with shims |
| Broken hinges | Replace hinges |
| Enlarged screw holes | Fill holes and redrill pilot holes |
| Door binding or sticking | Adjust shims until even gap |
| Uneven gaps | Level with shims when rehanging |
| Sagging door | Tighten hinge screws |