Fixing squeaky doors

Squeaky doors are most annoying at night and in a small flat where every movement can be heard. Dry hinges are the usual culprit, less often the lock or a door rubbing on its frame. Lubricating the door stops the noise without replacing the hardware, and the tradesperson checks whether it needs adjusting while there.

The service is priced per job and usually covers several doors in the flat.

What the service covers

• finding where the squeak comes from: hinge, lock or rubbing;
• cleaning old grease and dirt off the hinges;
• lubricating the hinges with a grease that does not attract dust;
• lubricating the lock and latch;
• checking the door does not rub or sag.

Why cooking oil is a bad idea

Kitchen oil quietens a hinge briefly, but it soon thickens, collects dust and the squeak comes back within weeks, often louder. Hinges need a technical lubricant that stays in place and does not mark the door.

What to prepare

Say in the request which doors squeak and whether it happens on opening or closing. If wardrobe doors or a window squeak too, add them to the same request.

Common questions