It’s a small thing, but when you hear that high-pitched squeak over and over again, it can become quite maddening. If you’ve got a chair that keeps giving you the willies by making weird sounds every time you sit on it, you’ll know what we mean. Unfortunately, it seems like no piece of furniture is immune to the dreaded squeak. Read on for our guide on how to stop a chair from squeaking.
How To Stop A Chair From Squeaking?
Rotate the wheels
When the wheels of your chair are misaligned, the chair will make noise when you move around. To correct this, simply turn the wheels until they are aligned again.
Oil the tracks
The chair squeaking could be caused by the tracks being dry and dusty. You can use a dry cloth to wipe the dust off and then use an oil spray to re-lubricate the tracks.
Use a rubber hammer
Sometimes, the wheels might be slightly bent. You can try to straighten the wheels with a rubber hammer. Be careful and make sure that you don’t use a metal hammer and damage the wheels.
Add felt or foam strips
If the wheels are not the problem, it could be that the chair is rubbing against the floor. To prevent this, use felt or foam strips to cover the bottom of the legs. This will protect the floor and prevent the chair from making noise.
Try spray lubricant
If you have tried everything listed above, but the chair is still squeaking, it could be that you need to tighten the chair. You can use a spray lubricant to tighten the chair.
Install chair gliders or runners
If the chair is still squeaking even after tightening the parts and using lubricant, you may have to replace the wheels. You can use chair gliders, which are larger and heavier than regular wheels. They will glide along the floor and will not cause the chair to make any noise.
Why Do Chairs Squeak?
The wrong type of chair mat
When people think of stopping squeaky chairs, the first thing that comes to mind is using a chair mat. While this is definitely a good way to stop a chair from squeaking, it’s important to use the right kind of mat. If the mat you’re using is made from rubber or some other soft material, it’s likely that it’ll come in direct contact with the floor and cause a squeaky sound because it causes friction. This is especially common when you’re using hardwood floors that have been varnished with wax. If you’re using a chair mat, select one that has a smooth, hard rubber surface. This will create less friction and noise as you push the chair around. This is especially important if you have a chair with wheels.
Loose screws
Another common reason why chairs squeak is loose screws. After extended use and wear, screws may become loose due to the vibrations and movements that occur while sitting. This can often happen to chairs with casters, especially if they’re made from low-quality materials. Tightening the screws will stop the squeaking. If a screw is stripped or the hole has become too worn to be repaired, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. If the squeaking occurs in a chair that you use at home, don’t worry. Instead of replacing the chair, you can tighten the screws.
A broken caster
Another common cause of squeaking in chairs is a broken caster. If you suspect that your chair’s squeak is caused by a broken caster, there are a few ways to check. First, try to move the chair. If it moves in a jerking or sporadic pattern, then it’s likely that one of the casters is broken. You can also try to lift the chair to see if it balances evenly on all sides or if it tips or leans in any direction. If you notice that the chair is balancing unevenly, it’s likely that one of the casters is broken. Replacing broken casters is relatively easy and can be done in a few steps. First, remove the casters from the chair. If you’re unsure about how to do this, take the chair to a hardware store and ask a sales associate to help you remove the casters. Next, select new casters that are made from high-quality materials. Finally, screw the casters back onto the chair. Remember, the squeaking may not stop immediately after replacing the casters. It may take a few days for them to settle in and become stable again.
The bent frame or springs
If the squeaking sound occurs when you’re sitting down, then it’s possible that the frame or springs are bent. This can be caused by sitting on a chair for too long. Fortunately, you can easily fix this problem by adjusting the frame or springs. If you’re not sure how to do this, go to your nearest hardware store and ask one of the employees to help you. Remember, a bent frame is usually caused by excessive use and sitting for too long. To prevent it from bending, make sure to get up and move around every once in a while. If you’re in class and notice that your chair is bent, don’t worry. While you may not be able to fix it yourself, you can always ask your teacher or the school’s administration to help you.
Incorrect assembly
If your chair squeaks while you’re rolling it, then it’s possible that the wheels or other parts of the chair are not assembled correctly. For example, if the wheels are not aligned correctly, they may squeak as you roll. Fortunately, you can easily fix this problem by adjusting the wheels. If you’re not sure how to do this, go to your nearest hardware store and ask one of the employees to help you. Remember, if the squeaking occurs while sitting and standing, then it’s likely that one of the springs is loose.
Excessive use and wear and tear
Finally, if the squeaking occurs in a chair that you’ve been using for a long time, then it’s likely that it’s just experiencing wear and tear. This can be fixed by simply adding a bit of oil or lubricant to the squeaky areas. If you’re not sure how to do this, go to your nearest hardware store and ask one of the employees to help you. Remember, excessive use and wear and tear cannot be fixed. While you can add oil or lubricant to the squeaky areas, it will not stop the chair from squeaking in the long run. Instead, you should try to replace the chair with a new one.
What To Do When Your Chair Starts Squeaking?
If your chair has been squeaking for a little while and you’ve already tried oiling the relevant parts, there are a few tricks you can try to quiet it down.
- First of all, try seating on the chair in a different way – sit up straighter, or lean back a little. The position you sit in can affect the amount of tension in the parts that make the squeaking noises.
- If your chair has a hard seat, put a cushion on it (or a cotton towel). It might be that the sound is amplified by the hard surface of the seat.
- Taking your shoes off or putting a rug or a mat underneath the chair can also help. The squeaking sound can be amplified by a hard, bare surface.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve managed to help you understand why your chair is squeaking, and how to stop a chair from squeaking. If your chair makes noises, you might just be able to get rid of them by oiling the joints. If all else fails, though, you’ll need to replace the parts – the good news is that this is a relatively straightforward procedure, so long as you know what you’re looking for. If you don’t deal with it quickly, the squeaking can escalate into a full-blown chair crisis in a very short time.
