Minor maintenance issues are normal in any home, and many can be handled quickly with basic tools. That’s why we created the DIY Maintenance Series, to help tenants and homeowners solve simple problems safely and reduce unnecessary repair costs.
In this guide, we’ll cover quick fixes for squeaky door hinges and creaky floors, plus longer-term solutions when the noise keeps coming back. If you’re working through other easy home fixes too, you may also find this guide helpful: Fix Drafty Windows: DIY vs Professional Guide.
Key Takeaway
Most squeaky doors and creaky floors can be fixed in under an hour with simple supplies like lubricant, powder, or basic fasteners. Start with the quickest low risk option first, then move to deeper fixes like cleaning hinge pins or stabilizing the subfloor only if the noise returns, and if you are renting, submit a maintenance request before making any permanent repairs.
How to Fix Squeaky Doors
Most squeaky doors happen when the hinge pin dries out or collects dust and light rust, creating friction when the door moves.
Quick Fix: Lubricate the Hinges
For most doors, lubrication solves the squeak right away.
Apply a few drops of lubricant directly to the hinge pin area (top and bottom of the hinge).
Open and close the door several times to distribute the lubricant.
Wipe away excess to prevent drips.
You can buy common hinge lubricants locally at McLendon Hardware or online through Home Depot’s lubricant selection. If you want a quick visual walkthrough before you start, this YouTube search pulls up multiple step-by-step examples: YouTube: how to lubricate a squeaky door hinge.
Long-Term Fix: Remove and Clean Hinge Pins
If lubrication only helps temporarily, clean the hinge pins so they stop grinding.
Tap out one hinge pin at a time using a nail and hammer.
Check for bends; if bent, straighten gently or replace the pin.
Clean off rust and grime using fine steel wool.
Apply white lithium grease to the pin.
Reinsert and repeat for remaining hinges.
Steel wool and white lithium grease are easy to find at Lowe’s hardware aisle or Home Depot search. If you want a video reference for removing hinge pins, this is a good starting point: YouTube: remove hinge pin clean squeaky door.
If your “squeak” is actually coming from a door that’s rubbing or misaligned, this related fix is a good next step: How to Fix and Prevent Doorknob Holes in Walls.
How to Fix Creaky Floors
Creaky floors usually come from movement between floorboards and the subfloor, often worse during seasonal temperature and humidity shifts (common in Seattle-area homes).
Quick Fix: Talcum Powder
For minor surface squeaks between boards:
Sprinkle talcum powder or baby powder into the seams.
Sweep it into the cracks to reduce friction.
You can typically find powder locally at grocery stores or pharmacies, and also through Target’s baby powder options. If you want to see the technique done correctly, start here: YouTube: fix creaky floors with baby powder.
Long-Term Fixes for Creaky Floors
From Below (If You Have Crawl Space or Basement Access)
- Insert a shim
Lightly tap a glue-coated shim between the joist and subfloor to reduce movement. - Screw through the joist
Secure the subfloor with angled screws (commonly drywall or construction screws) to tighten the connection. - Add construction adhesive
Run adhesive between the joist and subfloor seam for added stability.
Shims, construction adhesive, and screws are commonly available at Dunn Lumber (great local option in Washington) or through Home Depot’s construction adhesive selection.
Floorboards Rubbing (Not Near Joists)
Drill pilot holes from below and insert screws to reduce movement, making sure screw length is slightly less than the total thickness of your floor to avoid surface damage.
From Above (If You Do Not Have Underside Access)
Use finish nails driven in at opposing angles to tighten loose boards, then set nails below the surface and patch with wood filler.
If you need a visual guide for the “from above” approach, this search is a good starting point: YouTube: fix creaky floors from above finish nails.
Helpful Tools and Products
If you want specialty kits designed for squeaks:
• Squeeeeek-No-More (commonly used for carpet over wood floors)
• Counter-Snap Kit (often used for hardwood floors with breakaway screws)
You can usually find these by searching at major retailers like Home Depot: squeak no more kit or Lowe’s: floor squeak repair kit.
Let GPS Renting Handle the Hard Stuff
GPS Renting is a full-service property management company serving the Greater Seattle area. We coordinate maintenance, repairs, and ongoing property care with a professional process that protects both the home and the resident experience.