Squeaky doors can be annoying and embarrassing. But it’s a common problem, especially in older homes. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent a door from squeaking. Squeaky hinges and doors are usually caused by loose screws or friction between moving parts. This is easy to do and takes less than 5 minutes. Let’s get it fixed!
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Apply Silicone Grease
The problem is probably coming from the hinges that hold the door to the wall. You can start by using an old rag to get these cleaned. Removing some dirt and dust can already do the trick.
If you find that your door is very squeaky, apply silicon grease to the hinges and other places where the door rubs against other surfaces. Silicone grease won’t stain clothing or wood and it’s easy to clean up if you get it on something you don’t want it on. It’s easy to apply and only takes a minute.
This will help the two surfaces slide against each other with less friction, which will help reduce or eliminate the squeaking. You should apply a thin amount of silicone grease on all moving parts of the door. This includes the hinges, the bottom rail, and any place where the door rubs against another surface. Apply silicone grease at least every six months. Grab a cloth to remove excessive grease.
If possible, you can remove the door to add some grease inside the hinge. This can make it more effective. If the door is too heavy, try to squirt some on it. Be careful that you don’t stain your door or walls when you do this though!
Adjust the hinges and screws
If the door still squeaks even after you’ve applied silicone grease and adjusted the shims, you can try tightening the screws that hold the hinges in place. Turn each screw 1/4 turn with a Philips screwdriver until the door stops squeaking. If adjusting the hinges doesn’t resolve the problem, you may need to replace the old hinges with new hinges.
Be careful not to overtighten them though as this can damage the door frame.
Some doors have washers as well. Replacing these can also do the trick. These are small pieces of rubber that can wear out over time. These are easy to find in most DIY stores. You have to open the hinge to install it. This involves removing the door. This is typically done by opening the door and then lifting it up. This should remove the door from the hinges. You can then work on them. Be careful that you don’t break the door handle as this part can be quite fragile.
Add Shims
If the door is rubbing against the frame, it can make noises as well. You can add shims to create more space between the frame and the door. But before you do this, make sure the frame isn’t touching the door because it can cause warping or rotting. If the frame is touching the door, you can add shims to create more space between the frame and the door.
We have to remove the door to do this. Using a Philips screwdriver, we can remove the screws. Once this is done, we can add the shims and reattach the door. If nails are used in your door, it will be harder to do this.
Clean under the door
It is possible that some dirt or dust got stuck under the door. You can use some paper to wipe under the door. This can already remove some of it. It might be necessary to do this multiple times before you get the dirt removed. Use a brush and vacuum cleaner in this area to remove the remaining dirt. If your doors are close to the ground, dirt can build up and create noises when you move the door open. You can install the door higher if needed.
Change the Hinges
If the door squeaks when it opens and closes, the hinges are probably the problem. If the hinges are old or rusty, you can replace them with new hinges. With new hinges, the door will rub against the frame more smoothly and won’t squeak as much. If the hinges are attached with screws, you can unscrew the old hinges and replace them with new ones. If the hinges are attached with nails, you’ll have to replace the entire door. This may be costly, but it’s a quick solution that can solve the problem right away.
Doors can be quite heavy so you might need to ask someone to help you with this process. Overall it is simple to do this. Just be careful that you don’t damage the door frame when you remove or reattach the screws. Don’t overtighten the screws. This can also be a great moment to paint the doors and give them a new color.
Conclusion
Squeaky doors are a common problem, and they can be embarrassing. Fortunately, there are several ways you can prevent a door from squeaking. In this post, we have outlined how to get it fixed. While you are at it, you can install a door stopper as well. This ensures that your door and wall remain undamaged when someone opens the door with a lot of force.
Doors need regular maintenance. Luckily it is quite easy to add some lubricant to the door hinges. This already solves most problems. Door hinges can last more than a decade and should work without too many issues. You can always ask a carpenter to get them fixed if there are other problems with the door or the hinges.
A lot of it comes down to cleaning and maintaining the hinges well. Moving parts can break down over time. This is why you have to keep an eye on this part of a door if you notice that the door is harder to open or is making noises. As outlined in this post, these issues are often quite easy to fix.
