Home Garden

How to Fix a Creeping Door

Whether your door creaks or opens and shuts by itself, you might find it disconcerting to have a door with a mind of its own. No matter what type of creeping your door does, though, you can fix it with a hammer and some lubricant -- a much simpler alternative to an exorcism. With a quick fix, you no longer have to feel creeped out by a door that appears to have an agenda for opening itself or making spooky sounds.

Things You'll Need

  • Hammer
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • White lithium grease, multipurpose oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Creaking Door

    • 1

      Press the end of a flathead screwdriver under the head of your door's hinge pin. Tap the handle of the screwdriver with a hammer until the hinge pin pops out.

    • 2

      Apply a coat of white lithium grease to the pin, then drop it back in place. Tap it in all the way with your hammer. You may also lubricate the hinge with a multipurpose oil or vegetable oil. Either spray multipurpose on the pin and into the hinge, or dip the pin itself in oil to coat it.

    • 3

      Repeat with the other hinge to ensure an end to the creaking.

    Creeping Door

    • 4

      Press the end of a flathead screwdriver under the head of your door's hinge pin. Tap the handle of the screwdriver with a hammer until the hinge pin pops out.

    • 5

      Lay the pin down on a flat surface. Tap it around the middle with your hammer until it is slightly bent.

    • 6

      Drop the pin back in its hinge and tap it into place with a hammer. No matter which way the bend faces, it increases the resistance and makes it so your door does not open or close on its own.