Fix a squeaky door or loose handle

A squeaky door is the archetypal small annoyance that survives for years because it is never quite urgent. To fix a squeaky door takes about four minutes once you know which of three causes you have, and a loose handle takes about the same. The hour is enough to do every door in the house.

Why fix a squeaky door or loose handle is worth an hour

These faults have very few possible causes, which makes diagnosis quick. A squeak is a dry hinge or a loose one; a loose handle is a loose grub screw or worn spindle; a door that will not latch is a misaligned strike plate. Each has a direct fix, and none require any skill beyond using a screwdriver correctly.

How to fix a squeaky door or loose handle step by step

1. 1

   Work out which hinge squeaks

   Move the door slowly and listen. Fixing the wrong hinge is the usual reason the squeak returns immediately.

2. 2

   Tighten the hinge screws first

   A loose hinge causes squeaking, sticking and misalignment. This alone resolves a large share of door problems.

3. 3

   Lubricate properly

   Work the pin out slightly, apply lubricant, swing the door to distribute it, wipe the excess. Avoid anything that attracts dust.

4. 4

   Fix the loose handle at the grub screw

   Most handles have a small screw on the collar. Tighten it; if the spindle is worn, replace that rather than the whole handle.

5. 5

   Realign the strike plate if it will not latch

   Look for the shiny rub mark on the plate. Move it a couple of millimetres or file the opening slightly.

Tips to get more out of it

• If a screw spins without biting, glue a matchstick into the hole and rescrew. It is a very old fix and it works.
• Use a screwdriver that actually fits the screw head. Chewed screw heads turn a two-minute job into a long one.
• Do the whole house at once. The tools are already out and each additional door takes only minutes.

Ways to mix it up

If a door sticks in its frame rather than squeaking, check hinges first before planing anything, since seasonal swelling and a loose hinge look identical and only one requires removing material. If the door is external, check the weather seal at the same time.

Fix a squeaky door or loose handle: frequently asked questions