Repairing a faulty door hinge is easier than you might think. All you need is a hammer, a screwdriver, and a bit of Durham’s Water Putty, and you’re on your way to restore your door to its former glory.  

Step-by-Step Guide to Repair a Hinge  

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to repair a hinge with Durham’s Water Putty. 

Step 1: Prepare the Area  

To repair a hinge with Durham’s Water Putty, you first have to remove the door’s slam strip and its existing hinges. 

Starting with the slam strip, take a screwdriver and unscrew each nail holding the slam strip in place. Then, peel the strip away from the door frame with a pry bar. 

Next, remove the hinge by tapping on the bottom of the hinge with a nail and hammer. After the pins pop up an inch or so, you should be able to pull them out with your fingers. If the pins don’t slide out easily, apply a lubricant like WD-40 to help loosen them. 

With the pins removed, use a screwdriver to unscrew the hinges from both the door and the door frame. 

Step 2: Prepare and Apply Putty 

To know how much putty you’ll need, measure the remaining empty space by using a wooden strip. 

Cut a wooden strip or stir stick to these measurements; you want it to fit snugly into the gap to make sure it’s seamless when covered with the putty. Apply a small amount of carpenter’s glue or wood glue to the back of the wooden strip, then insert it into the gap where the hinge was. 

In a disposable cup or clean dish, pour about three parts dry putty to one part water. Add the water gradually stirring. You want the mixture to have the consistency of mayonnaise; thick enough to spread easily without running off your putty knife.

Press the prepared mixture into the gap and the wooden strip using a putty knife or spatula. Make sure to fill the whole space. Don’t worry about making it perfect yet as this is the first application. 

Once the gap is full, clean up the extra putty with the knife and use it to fill any holes left by the nails.

Let the first coat dry for about five minutes, then apply a second, thinner coat to smooth out any imperfections. The second coat should have a creamier texture than the first, sort of like sour cream. Extend the putty slightly beyond the repair area for a seamless finish.

Step 3: Drying, Sanding & Painting Durham’s Water Putty

Drying time can vary depending on the thickness of the application and environmental conditions (i.e., temperature and humidity). For best results, allow Durham’s Water Putty to dry for at least eight hours or overnight. 

Once dry, sand the putty with a sanding sponge. Start with a coarser grit to level the putty with the wood surface, then switch to finer grits to create a smooth finish. Wipe away excess dust with a clean cloth or rag. 

After sanding, paint the sanded area with a color that matches your door and let it dry for at least two hours before moving to the next step. 

Step 4: Reapply New Hinge 

On your door frame, mark the location where you want to install the hinges. 

For most doors, the upper hinge is located about seven inches from the top of the door frame, and the lower hinge 11 inches from the bottom of the door frame. Make sure the hinges align with those on the door frame.

Place the hinge on the door and the jamb, and trace the area around the hinge using a pencil. Mark the location of the screws in the jamb. 

Using a drill bit slightly smaller than the hinge screws, create pilot holes at the marked locations. This step prevents the wood from splitting. 

Place the hinge back onto the door frame and align it with the screw holes. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws securely into place. Repeat this process for the remaining hinges.

After installing each hinge, check the alignment by opening and closing the door to ensure it swings smoothly and closes properly. 

Final Thoughts –  Durham’s Water Putty for Hinge Repairs

With Durham’s Water Putty, repairing a worn-out hinge is as straightforward as can be. 

After removing the slam strip and existing door hinge, apply a generous amount of Durham’s Water Putty to fill the gaps around the hinge area. 

Let the putty dry completely, then sand it smooth before painting to match your door’s finish. 

With the area prepped, you can go ahead and install a brand new hinge. The area where the hinge will be should be solid and secure enough to support a new hinge.