Squeeeeeeeaaaak no more.
It's usually the stuff of horror movies: a door opening slowly always seems to produce an eerie creaking sound. It's enough to make one wonder why every haunted house seems to have rusty hinges. In real life, a squeaking door isn't always scary, but it can be downright annoying after a while. If you want to know how to fix your squeaking door, you've come to the right place.
First, you'll want to understand exactly what causes a squeaking door. It's not very complicated: sound vibrations are caused when two parts rub against each other. When it comes to doors, most hinges are designed to be as silent as possible, so the squeaking noise indicates a problem with alignment, usually with the door hinge.
Lubricant eases this friction, but only on a temporary basis. This means that a household item like WD-40 will be able to handle the job, but that doesn't mean your door will permanently stop squeaking.
For a long-term solution, you'll have to take a good look at your door hinges and really determine what's causing things to rub against each other contrary to their design. One of the easiest ways to do this is to simply re-tighten and re-attach a hinge by tightening loose screws. Be sure to check the top hinge on your door first, since much of your door's weight actually hangs on that area.
Most long-term fixes usually require a bit of tearing down before you build back up: this is the case if your door itself is actually out of alignment. You can use a balance to check your door's alignment, and if it needs adjusting, you can loosen your hinges and make the necessary changes. Oftentimes, simply undergoing this process will fix whichever point on the door was causing the squeak, even if you can't pinpoint it directly.
After you've tightened everything back again and the hinges seem in proper alignment, you can give your door a test swing. Swing it back and forth with your hand, and also try a "slow" movement to see how your door handles it. If your door is now silent, you've fixed the problem. Be sure to listen to it occasionally in order to be sure that the treatment has stuck.
Remember that everything can be repaired - or at least replaced. Don't assume that a squeaking door is out of your league even if you've never fixed anything in your life. You might surprise yourself.
Photo Credits: ocean yamaha
Originally posted 2009-08-11 03:31:01.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 5, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, doors
Iffy dehumidifier? We can take care of that!
When you walk into your basement, you'll know if your dehumidifier is working properly or not. If it is, you should feel the air that is dry and feels relatively cool. If it's not, you'll probably pick up the must and maybe even an unpleasant smell. But does this mean your dehumidifier is broken? Not necessarily; it might just be in need of a tune-up. Here is how to fix a dehumidifier that isn't performing up to snuff.
First, you'll want to consider whether or not your dehumidifer is simply too small for the space you have. You can usually tell by a simple test: is this the first time you've used a dehumidifier of that size in your home? If so, then this is a possibility. However, if the dehumidifier has worked well in the past, it's time to check it out and make some repairs.
Note: Make sure that you take out the power cord before attempting any of these repairs. Needless to say, it's a very necessary precaution.
Remove the cover of your dehumidifier and identify the condenser and evaporator coils. These will probably look like they're in need of a good cleaning, which is exactly what you'll want to do. Check your condenser especially to make sure that it hasn't been clogged with dust or dirt. Also, the fan motor bearings might be in need of lubrication - now is the time to drop in a metal lubricant to make sure that it is running smoothly.
Your next option to tune up the dehumidifier is to check the "humidistat" with what's known as a Volt-Ohm meter. You might have to pick one up at your local hardware store. Setting your meter to the RX1 scale, attach the leads on the meter to the humidistat (to what's known as the "terminals"). If you need help with this step, be sure to consult with your hardware store or outsource your dehumidifier repairs to a professional.
The humidistat should register 0 Ohms through a limited range - if it registers through the entire range, there's something wrong with the humidistat and it will need to be replaced.
Once you've made these repairs and the dehumidifier still isn't working, you'll have to consider replacing it or finding a professional to work on it for you. Remember that a dehuimdifier is important to maintain the quality of air in your home; don't procrastinate fixing it.
Photo Credits: JND90745
Originally posted 2009-08-20 03:18:49.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 1, 2010 in
Electronics, Handyman, How to Fix
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