How unpleasant it is to have the doors of the house constantly creaking! Due to this loud and irritating sound, with each opening or closing you multiply your efforts not to disturb the other members of the house. But why inflict this torture on yourself? To remedy this annoying squeak, there are a number of tips to apply in a jiffy. Here are some proven methods to get rid of that annoying noise.
What makes the doors creak?
Open the door – Source: spm
Generally, a squeaky door is the result of a lack of lubrication at the hinge or a buildup of dirt and dust. This loud, high-pitched squeal is caused by the rubbing of the metal surfaces of the hinge and pin creating friction. But that annoying sound also comes from dirty residue and rust.
There are still other causes, including a bent hinge, a loose screw, or a misalignment of the door with the frame. If it squeaks every time you open it, it may be due to uneven weight distribution of the door affecting the hinges. This is because if the bottom hinge is not seated correctly, the top hinge will bear most of the weight, which can cause it to creak under pressure.
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The best solution is lubrication. It is necessary to lubricate the hinges. Surely in specialized stores you will find a range of options in the form of lubricant, spray or liquid. But you don’t always have to go to the local hardware store for supplies. Sometimes certain home remedies can do the trick. First of all, you should thoroughly clean the door hinges to remove all the accumulated dust and dirt. Then, to allow them to glide smoothly without rubbing or squeaking, it is enough to grease them a little. There are several options for lubricating your door hinges, including some products you probably already have in your home. It may even surprise you!
These are the most effective solutions:
Applying shaving cream on hand – Source: spm
You probably never would have thought of it, but shaving cream is a great ally to stop squeaky doors. Just apply a small amount along your hinges and rub into all your crevices. Be sure to distribute the product evenly within the hinges. Repeat process if necessary. Excess foam should be removed with a tissue or paper towel. Finally, open and close the door repeatedly until you are satisfied with the result.
Oil against a squeaky door – Source: spm
Can’t stand this creaking and unpleasant noise anymore? Have you ever considered lubricating the hinges with a few drops of cooking oil? A little olive or sunflower oil and the problem will no longer be relevant! Place a rag or paper towel under the hinges to avoid accidentally staining the door surface. Then open and close the door several times to distribute the oil evenly.
A candle against creaking doors – Source: spm
The following method requires removal of the pin located between the flat hinge plates. To do it manually, you need to arm yourself with long pliers to remove the pin: just move it counterclockwise. Once removed, lubricate it with melted wax from a candle and reinsert it securely into the hinge. You will find that the door no longer squeaks!
Let’s not forget either the oily properties of the popular Vaseline that solves many problems at home. In fact, it is an excellent lubricant that can easily grease your door hinges. Just rub a small amount of Vaseline on the outside of the hinge, then wait for it to melt into your components. For an even neater job, remove the pin and coat it in Vaseline before reattaching it to the hinge. After that, the door should not squeak again for a long time.
When several people live at home, it is important to respect the rhythm of life of each one. However, as long as there is an echo, a simple door creak can wake anyone up. If you’ve tried all of the above solutions but your door is still making noise, then it might be a good idea to call a specialist. In the meantime, to avoid disturbing other members of the house, here’s how to open a door without waking everyone up.
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open the door quickly : Obviously you will have noticed that a hasty maneuver is always quieter than a slower opening, provided, of course, you don’t hit it against an obstacle. How to explain? There are two reasons for this. First, moving the door quickly sends more force through the hinges, which creates less noise, since they don’t rub against the “squeaky” parts. Second, by acting fast, it will take only a fraction of a second for the door to open instead of a second or two. So even if there is a little bit of noise, it will be stealthy and less annoying.
Lift the door by the handle: most squeaks are due to hinge parts not fitting together correctly. In this case, if they loosen over time or if they are not positioned exactly at the proper height. So the bottom and top of the hinge rub against each other producing this unpleasant squeak. Also, to avoid that annoying sound, simply lift the door by the handle to change the hinge alignment.
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