There’s not much more casually bothersome than a squeak. And when it comes from windows and doors that may be frequently opened and closed, one small squeak becomes one big problem.
But there’s good news for homeowners—that pesky squeak is fixable! Follow our tips below for addressing the cause of your squeaky windows and doors and restoring peace and quiet to your home.
Brand-new products shouldn’t squeak, but over time, dust particles, rust and other residue may naturally build up in the hinges of your windows. When you attempt to open them, those particles make it difficult for the window wheels to shift smoothly. While it’s impossible to avoid particle build-up, including a routine hinge cleaning in your window maintenance plan can help keep build-up at bay and prolong the potential for a squeak.
As doors age, they’re liable to start squeaking. Common household irritants like dust, rust, dirt or other residues fall into the space between the hinges over time, leading to that squeak. Introducing regular hinge cleaning into your routine house cleaning chores can help stave off the squeak, especially if you start when the doors are fairly new.
Consistent cleaning can help prevent a window squeak, but what do you do when the hinges have already started to squeak when moved? Let’s dig in.
From the inside of your home, open up the offending window to better view the window wheels emitting the squeak.
Typically, a squeak comes as the result of extensive dust build-up. However, it’s possible that your window wheels are actually broken or corroded in some way. If so, you may need to replace your window to best take care of the problem.
Remove any dirt or dust that has accumulated in your window tracks with a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth. It’s important to do this at both the top and bottom of the window. Allow the clean tracks to dry completely.
Spray the window tracks with a lubricant specifically designed to address squeaks. Let the lubricant sit for a while before reattaching the window you removed.
Your window hinges most likely squeak due to rust buildup. If left unchecked over a long enough period of time, the rust will cause significant damage to your windows. If you’re worried about significant rust damage, it may be to your benefit to go ahead and replace your windows.
Like windows, a squeaky door can be a sign of dust build-up. Door hinges can also loosen over time or be improperly aligned, which may lead to a squeak. Here’s how to fix it:
Examine the screws on each hinge and tighten them all. Make sure all the screws are inserted in the hinge at the correct angle to prevent any unnecessary friction.
Take a closer look at each hinge pin on your squeaky door. Do this one at a time to prevent the door from falling off its hinges. Carefully remove the pin and examine it for any rust or bending that may be causing the squeak. If necessary, replace your hinge pins with new, correctly-sized pins.
Using a small amount of grease, soap or petroleum jelly, lubricate the hinge pin for smooth replacement and ease of hinge use.
Squeaky door hinges are often caused by rust damage. Without regular maintenance like cleaning and lubricating the hinge, this can cause rust damage severe enough that door replacement is the best option for your home. If the rust damage is impeding your ability to use your door, it’s time to replace.
While squeaky windows and doors are often easy to fix, a squeak may be a sign that it’s time to replace them. If you’ve had your windows or doors for a while, significant particle build-up may be difficult to address. Instead, explore budget-friendly, beautiful replacement products that look good and keep quiet from your local Window World!