Those squeaky doors can be a pain in the neck. How many times have you tried to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night or check on your kids and by simply swinging the door open, you wake up the whole house? By adding lubricant or wax to the door, or changing out the hardware and hinges of that door, you can make things quiet and start enjoying your home again.
How To Make Doors Quieter When Closing?
There are different reasons why your door is making a lot of noise when you open and close it. This can make your house feel like a nuisance and will wake everyone up if you try to walk around at night to go to the bathroom. Some of the items that may cause your door to squeak include:
- The door is out of alignment.
- The hinges are getting old and rusted
- The doorknob is not latching well
- The components need more lubrication
- Debris is getting into the hinges or the doorknob.
Taking care to clean out the components of the door and adding a little lubrication can do wonders for helping silence the door and get it to be quiet again.
Ways to Make a Door Quieter when Closing
There are several steps that you can use to help make your door quieter when you close it tight. Some of the steps include:
Use a Lubricant
Your door is making noise because there is friction present. To remove the friction, add some lubricant to the area. WD-40 is one of the best options to get this done. To add lubricant to the door:
1. Remove the Hinge Pin
Your first step is to remove the hinge pin. The hardest part of this is to find it. You will need to use a hammer and a nail to help tap the base of the bolt out. Repeat this until the hinge becomes free. Do this with each hinge, setting these somewhere you can find when you are done.
2. Apply the Lubricant
Bring out the lubricant and apply generously to the door pin. Let the pin sit in the oil for a few minutes. While that soaks, add a bit of the oil to the door hinges. After it sits for a few minutes, you can use a cloth to help wipe up any of the excess lubricants that may drip on the floor.
3. Restore the Door Pins
After coating the pins with lubricant, you can put them back in place. Place the door in the right position and place the pins back onto the hinges. You may need to place a nail on it and drive the pin down with a hammer until it is secure. Do for all of the hinges.
Apply Wax to the Hinge Pins
Paraffin wax can be a great solution to help lubricate the door and stop all of the squeaking noise. This can work similarly to the lubricant. To use wax to stop the noise:
- Melt the wax: Use a microwave or an electric stove to melt the wax.
- Remove the hinge pins: With a hammer and nail, you can remove the hinge pins to help get them off the door.
- Use the wax to coat the pins well. Hold each pin with some pliers before dunking it into the wax. Get the whole pin covered in wax.
- Put the hinge pins back in place. Make sure that the door is placed on properly as you do this.
Replace the Hinges
If wax and lubricant are not doing the job, it is time to look at replacing the hinges. The ones that you have may be too old to do much with and the noise will not stop until you get these replaced. Go out shopping for new hinges for your door. Most doors will need three, but check to see what is already on your door.
When you have the hinges in place, remove the old ones. An electric screwdriver will help make this easier. Just lean the door against the wall as you complete the process. You can then attach the new hinges and screws to the door. You will need someone to help hold the door steady while you do this. Test the door when it is done to make sure it sounds good.
Check the Alignment
Doors may get installed incorrectly or they can shift the longer they are in the home. This can cause a slight angle in the door. You can check this by looking at the door and seeing whether it aligns with the top of the frame on both ends or place a level parallel with the door.
Most doors are installed well, but if your door is not properly aligned, you can fix it yourself. Just loosen the hinges, re-adjust the door to make it an event, and then tighten the hinges once more. This can help to make the door quieter when you open and close it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I replace my door?
It is usually not necessary to replace the door when it is squeaky. The problem is often with the hinges and doorknob. If lubrication does not seem to provide the relief that you want from the noise, then it is time to look at replacing these components to give your door new life.
Can I use WD-40 on my squeaky door?
WD-40 can be a great lubricant for a squeaky door. The spray lubricant is the best option because it is easier to spray without having to take the whole door apart. You can use this lubricant in the latch and on the doorknob to prevent the noise.
Can I Use a Door Silencer?
A door silencer can work well for reducing the sound as well. If your home produces echoes or you want to make sure you can check up on the kids at night without waking them up, then a simple door silencer can do the trick. This cloth goes right around the doorknob on both sides and you are done and can enjoy the silence when you open or close the door.
