Why Interior Doors Squeak

Almost every squeaky interior door in a British home comes down to the same two culprits: dry metal or a worn pin. A butt hinge is a simple thing — a pin turning inside a barrel — and when the thin film of lubricant between them disappears, steel grinds against steel and you get that familiar groan every time someone walks down the landing.

There are a few variations on the theme, and it helps to know which one you are dealing with:

• Dry hinge: a clean, high-pitched squeak that appears suddenly, usually in winter when heating dries the air out.
• Worn pin or barrel: a rougher, grinding squeak, often with a little play in the door when you push it.
• Paint in the hinge: a creak that appeared after the door was decorated, caused by paint gumming up the pin and barrel.
• Loose screws: a rattle or knock rather than a squeak, with the door dropping slightly.
• Not the hinge at all: a scraping sound along the top or the latch edge usually means the door has swollen and is rubbing the frame, which is a different job entirely.

Spend thirty seconds opening and closing the door slowly while watching the hinges. Nine times out of ten, you will see the pin shift slightly in the barrel as the door moves.

Lubricating a Hinge Properly

You can squirt oil at the hinge and hope for the best, and it will often quieten things for a week or two. Doing it properly takes ten minutes and lasts for years.

• Open the door so the hinge is under as little load as possible, and wedge something under the door to take the weight.
• Tap the hinge pin upwards from underneath using a nail punch or an old screwdriver and a hammer. On most internal doors the pin lifts out from below.
• Wipe the pin clean with wire wool or a cloth. If it is pitted, scored, or visibly worn thin, put it to one side — you will want a replacement.
• Clean inside the barrel with a cotton bud or a rolled corner of cloth, then apply your lubricant sparingly to the pin along its whole length.
• Slide the pin back in, tapping it home gently, and work the door back and forth a dozen times to spread the lubricant through the barrel.
• Wipe away any excess so it does not attract dust or stain the paintwork.

On the choice of lubricant: a light machine oil or a silicone spray works well for most homes. Graphite powder is excellent where dust is a problem, because it does not collect grit. A thin smear of petroleum jelly is a good, tidy option that stays put rather than dripping down your architrave. Avoid general-purpose water-displacing sprays as a long-term fix — they are useful for freeing a seized pin, but they evaporate and leave you back where you started.

When the Hinge Needs Replacing

If the door still squeaks after a proper clean and lubricate, or if the pin is visibly worn and the door has developed a wobble, replacement is the honest answer. A new pair of hinges costs very little and takes about half an hour.

Before you buy, check three things: the length and width of the existing hinge (a standard internal door hinge is usually 75mm by 50mm, with 100mm hinges on heavier doors), the finish so it matches the others on the door, and the screw hole spacing. Take one old hinge to the shop with you if you are unsure.

• Replace one hinge at a time, leaving the other in place to carry the door.
• Support the door on wedges before you remove the screws, and never take both hinges off at once.
• If the screw holes are chewed and the screws spin, dip wooden matchsticks or cocktail sticks in wood glue, tap them into the holes, snap them flush, and screw into the fresh timber.
• Fit the new hinge into the existing recess. If it sits proud, the door will bind; a sharp chisel and a light paring of the recess will sort it.

The Quick Fix Without Removing the Pin

If the door is awkward to lift or you simply want it quiet before guests arrive, you can lubricate in place. Spray or drip lubricant into the gap between the pin and the top of the barrel, then open and close the door twenty times, wiping away the overflow. Repeat at the bottom of the barrel. It is not as thorough as lifting the pin, but it is far better than nothing and often buys you months of silence.

Keeping Squeaks Away

A little routine care goes a long way. Twice a year, usually when you change the clocks, walk round the house and check each internal door. Tighten any loose hinge screws with a screwdriver — not a drill, which strips the heads and the holes. Give each hinge a single drop of light oil. And when you decorate, take the extra minute to mask the hinges or lift the pins out, because paint is one of the most common causes of a creaking door.

If a door starts squeaking again within weeks of being lubricated, that is a signal rather than a nuisance. It usually means the pin is worn, the hinge is undersized for the door, or the frame has moved. Deal with the cause and you will not be back with the oil can next month.