How to Fix Squeaky Door Hinges - Best Method that Works, by Flannel Guy DIY on YouTube. 7 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Open and close the door slowly and listen to find which hinge squeaks. Mark that hinge with a pencil so you treat the right one.
Wipe around the hinge with a rag and a small brush. Grease will not stay on a hinge that is covered in dust and old oil.
Strip the old lubricant with a degreaser or a wipe of white vinegar, then let the hinge dry.
Spray white lithium grease or silicone into the gap at the top of the hinge pin. Skip thin oil, which drains away in days.
Swing the door open and shut 10 to 15 times so the grease works down into the pin.
Wipe off the excess grease with a rag so it does not drip onto the floor or the door.
If the squeak stays, tap the hinge pin up and out from below with a hammer and a nail set. Hold the door steady while you do it.
Clean the pin with steel wool, coat it in grease, and tap it back into the hinge.
For a worn or loose hinge, unscrew it from the door and the frame and fit a new hinge of the same size, usually 3.5 or 4 inches.
Tighten all hinge screws. If a screw spins in a stripped hole, pack the hole with wood glue and a few toothpicks, let it set, then refit the screw.
Tips and common mistakes
WD-40 quiets a hinge for a week or two but evaporates, so use grease for a lasting fix.
Never use cooking oil or butter, because they turn gummy and attract dust.
Only pull one hinge pin at a time so the door stays supported.
Wear eye protection when tapping pins, since old pins can be stiff and fly loose.
Questions
What is the best lubricant for door hinges?
White lithium grease or a silicone spray lasts longest. They stay in the pin and do not dry out like thin oils.
Why does my hinge still squeak after greasing?
The pin is probably worn or dirty inside. Pull the pin, clean it with steel wool, regrease it, and replace the hinge if the squeak returns.
How do I know if I need new hinges?
Look for rust, a loose pin, or a door that sags and rubs. A new hinge of the same size is cheap and takes a few minutes to fit.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
