Ah, the dreaded squeak. That high-pitched, grating noise disrupts the calm of your home every time a door opens or closes. It’s a common household issue, and you’re likely here because you’re wondering how to stop your doors from creaking. Many homeowners face this issue, and thankfully, fixing a squeaky door is often a simple DIY task. We’ll walk you through identifying the cause of the squeak and provide the steps to achieve a silent swing.
What Makes a Door Squeak?
1. Loose Screws
Squeaky doors are typically caused by screws that aren’t tightened sufficiently. The constant opening and closing of the door can gradually loosen the screws that secure the hinges to the door frame or the door itself. This results in a loose hinge, allowing the metal parts to rub against one another and produce that annoying noise. A quick and easy way to stop a door from creaking is to check and tighten these screws regularly.
2. Friction in Hinges
A hinge’s job is to make the movement of the door smooth. But if you don’t grease the hinge properly, the metal parts inside will rub against each other and cause a lot of friction. Most of the time, those high-pitched squeaks are caused by contact. When new door hinges creak or old hinges have lost their grease, this sound is your alarm to fix the problem.
3. Weather Changes & Humidity
Wood is a natural material that changes with the elements. It can expand and contract due to variations in temperature and humidity. This may cause the door or frame to warp slightly, rubbing against the frame or causing the hinges to become stuck. Extreme weather worsens the situation, making it necessary to fix squeaky doors regularly.
4. Dirt, Debris, & Rust
Over time, dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate on the hinges, creating rough particles that cause them to stick together even more. In damp or moisture-prone areas, rust can also develop on the metal parts of the hinges. This rust prevents the hinge from moving smoothly, contributing to the noise. You can prevent these issues from accumulating on the hinges and fix squeaky door hinges by cleaning and greasing them regularly.
5. Door Misalignment
An improperly aligned door can stress the hinges. If the door hangs unevenly, the hinges may bind or rub against each other at unusual angles. This misalignment can result from settling foundations, warped door frames, or improper installation. To eliminate the squeak, the hinges may need to be adjusted or the door rehung.
Tools Required to Fix a Screeching Door
Having the right tools on hand is necessary to fix a squeaky door. A basic toolkit should have:
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Screwdriver set with various sizes to handle different screws
- Spare screws for replacements
- Lubricant, like silicone spray or WD-40
If you don’t have specialized lubricants, several household alternatives can work as temporary fixes:
- Petroleum Jelly: Apply a small amount to the hinge pivot points and shift the door to distribute it.
- Dry Bar Soap: Rub it on the hinge pins for a waxy coating that reduces friction.
7 Steps To Fix a Squeaky Door
How To Stop A Door From Squeaking Noise
To stop your door from squeaking, spray the hinges every six months with WD-40. It’s also helpful to regularly tighten any loose screws to maintain proper alignment. Be mindful of how weather changes can cause expansion and contraction, which may affect the alignment of your doors.
Need Someone To Fix Your Door? Contact Delet To Help!
Are you tired of squeaky doors disrupting your peace? Delet specializes in commercial and residential door repair services across Toronto and the GTA, bringing over 20 years of expertise to your doorstep. Contact Delet today and silence those squeaks for good!
