How Do I Fix A Squeaky Door?
Posted on Sep 9, 2016 2:35pm PDT
Whether it’s the front door to your house or a cabinet at the back
of your pantry, a squeaky door can be enough to drive just about anyone
crazy. Luckily, this problem is incredibly easy to fix with the right
supplies and a little bit of elbow grease.
Lubricating Oil
The simplest way to stop the constant squeaking is to grab a can of lubricating
oil like WD-40 or 3-In-One. While alternatives like vegetable oil can
work in a pinch, they will collect dirt and grime far faster than their
non-cooking oil options. Spray the oil directly onto the hinges in short
bursts to avoid making too much of a mess – you may want to have
some rags or paper towels on hand to clean up any excess oil. Open and
close the door a few times in between applications, and keep spraying
a bit more each time until the noise is gone.
Hinge Pin
If the lubricating oil didn’t do the trick, it’s time to completely
remove the hinge pin from the door to give it a proper clean. Take a pair
of long pliers and twist the hinge back and forth to help pull it out
of the slot. You have a few options for how to scrub the hinge clean once
it’s removed depending on what the problem is. Steel wool is great
for removing dirt and grime and some rust, but you may want to switch
to sandpaper to really clean up a rusty hinge. If you don’t have
any steel wool on hand, a bar of soap will be able to remove most of the
dirt and grime, but won’t be nearly as effective on the rusty parts.
While you’re cleaning off the hinge pin, you may notice that it’s
become bent over time. To fix this, simply place the hinge pin on a cement
floor or workbench and tap the bent spot with a hammer until it’s
properly straightened out.
The Hinge
If neither of these fixes do the trick, you may need to replace the entire
hinge. It’s a fairly easy project to tackle by yourself, but if
you aren’t comfortable doing it alone you can always call in a friend
or family member for assistance. Before you head down to your local hardware
store for a replacement, be sure to take down the exact measurements so
you know which hinge to get.
Once you have your replacement, open your door and keep it propped up with
a door wedge to stop it from shifting around during the repair. Remove
the screws holding the current hinge in place and carefully store them
off to the side – you don’t want to accidentally step on a
loose screw! You may need to sand down the wood underneath your old hinges
if it’s been a while since they were installed. If your new hinge’s
screw holes are in different locations, you’ll want to fill in the
old holes with some wood putty. Once that’s set and sanded down
to be flush with the rest of the wood, carefully screw your new hinge
in. If you’re replacing multiple hinges on the same door, be sure
to remove and replace each hinge one at a time so the entire door doesn’t fall off.
Keeping your doors silent and smooth is an important part of making use
your home is as great as it can be. However, you need to make sure to
clean up after your handiwork to avoid creating unnecessary extra messes.
At The Maids Dallas, we know just how important maintaining a clean home
is to our customers, and we’re ready to assist you in all of your
cleaning needs.
Request a free price estimate today by filling out our online form, or by calling us at (972) 471-9509.
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