subject: How To Fix A Squeaky Door [print this page] There are many, many reasons that a door may begin to squeak. Typically, this happens after a door has gotten quite old; although, it can happen right after the door is installed. Eight times out of ten, the hinges are to blame for the unwelcome sounds that occur while opening or closing a door. Sometimes, however, it is an ill-fitting door that causes irritating sounds to occur. Regardless of the reason, there are definitely ways to cure this relatively common issue.
The first step to fixing a squeaky door is to locate where the sound is coming from. As mentioned earlier, more often than not your squeaky problem is due to the hinges. Try swinging your door back and forth slowly to locate where the sound is coming from. Identifying where the problem begins is the key to helping you to figure out what needs to be done next. It could be your hinges, the fit of the door or even items that have been hung on the door or the door knob.
If the issue is a squeaky hinge, you can try spraying the hinge with some WD-40. It's a lubrication-type spray that can be found at your local hardware store. This stuff was made for the very purpose of making hinges quieter. This will help if your hinges are rusty or simply just rubbing in the wrong places. Of course, if your hinges are rusty or incredibly old, it is a good idea to simply replace them altogether. Safety should always come first. Rusted hinges have the potential to break, allowing your door to fall.
Something else you may want to try with a squeaky hinge is simply tightening it into the wall and the door. Sometimes, as time goes on, the screws on hinges tend to get loose. When this happens, the door can slide a bit, which will cause it to rest at an awkward angle. When this happens, however slight the angel might be, you may hear squeaking. Typically, the changes happen so slowly that homeowners do not often notice the loose hinges. Try tightening the screws on your hinges and you may just find that that was your issue in the first place.
If the issue is an ill-fitting door, you have two options. First, you can take the door off and try to resize it yourself, or you can give in and get your door replaced. It is incredibly difficult to resize a door, even if you have power saws. Usually, homeowners tend to cut off too much or cut in a line that is not straight. This allows air, sound and most importantly the ability for people to see into the next room-not to mention the fact that it will not look great, either. When a door is rubbing against its door frame due to poor fit, it is far better to simply cut your losses and spring for door replacement. Find a professional in your area and treat yourself to a new door.
