How to Fix a Squeaky Door

Squeaky Hinges — Quick Fix

Most door squeaks come from dry hinges. The fastest fix: apply a lubricant directly to the hinge pins while the door is hanging. WD-40 works immediately but dries out. Better long-term options include petroleum jelly, 3-in-1 oil, or white lithium grease.

Squeaky Hinges — Thorough Fix

For a more lasting solution, remove the hinge pins one at a time by tapping upward from underneath. Clean off any rust or grime with wire wool, apply lubricant, and replace. This lasts significantly longer than lubricating in place.

Sticking Doors

Doors stick when timber swells (usually in damp weather), when hinges have worked loose, or when the frame has moved. First check if the hinges are tight — loose hinge screws cause most sticking problems.

Fixing Loose Hinges

Tighten hinge screws firmly. If screws spin without gripping, push a matchstick with wood glue into the hole, allow to dry, and refit the screw. This gives the screw new wood to bite into.

Planing a Sticking Door

If the door genuinely needs material removing, remove it from its hinges. Use a hand plane or electric plane to remove small amounts from the sticking edge. Remove less than you think you need — you can always take more off.

Rattling Doors

A rattling door means the latch does not engage properly with the striker plate. Adjust the striker plate position by filing the opening slightly in the direction needed. For a loose door, a draught excluder strip on the frame closes the gap.