Last updated on October 12th, 2022
A porch swing can be a magical addition to any front porch or backyard patio. Some of us can trace our fondest memories to swinging experiences on a fantastic summer afternoon with our loved ones.
However, there’s nothing as disruptive and annoying as a creaky or squeaky swing.
To stop a porch swing from squeaking, the most logical thing to do is to examine the cause of the problem. Structural malfunction, corrosion, wear, and tear, or lack of lubrication are common causes of squeaky swings.
Thankfully this guide provides some quick tips to help you identify and solve these problems before your porch swing turns into something dangerous or costly. Keep reading to learn how you stop the irritating noise of a squeaky swing.
Table of Contents
How To Stop a Porch Swing From Squeaking: 6 Easy Steps
Nothing can be more frustrating than the insistence noise of a squeaky porch swing right in the middle of a blissful swinging experience.
If your porch swing suddenly develops uncomfortable noises that disrupt your leisure time, try out the suggestions and tips highlighted below to make your porch swing functional again.
Inspect the Swing
One way to ascertain the cause and degree of the damage in your swing is to do a thorough inspection.
When you hear a creaking sound on your porch swing, carefully examine all the structural components as structural issues can be the most likely problem.
Bolts, screws, and joints should be the first place to look.
If everything seems fine, look under mounting hardware such as chains or ropes and even the underside of your porch swing in case the materials are worn out. You may stumble upon loose pieces, which may be causing the creaking sound.
Fasten these securely and try swinging again to see if the problem has been solved. Otherwise, if the squeaking has to do with the structural malfunction from holding excess weight, follow these steps to stop your porch swing from squeaking.
Use Lubricant On Creaky Parts
Creaking is one way to tell if your porch swing hasn’t been lubricated for some time. A dry or corroded porch swing will remind you it’s time to spray some lubricants to maintain its proper function.
Apply a few drops of liquid graphite, grease, or spray lubricant on hinges, bolts, springs, and screws, then move the swing back and forth to ensure the lubricant is evenly spread on the hardware.
Ensure you don’t over-lubricate and only apply a minimal amount on each part. Also, take extra caution when lubricating grease on wooden swings.
Grease can be messy and difficult to clean up. If the squeaky metal parts are too close to wooden parts, we recommend that you use silicone spray instead of grease.
Dupont’s Teflon Lubricant is another good option since it’s safe to use on all surfaces, including metal and wood.
Another way to keep everything minimal and less messy is to wrap a rag against the wooden parts near the metal hardware to prevent over-spraying.
Use Foam To Minimize Rope Burn
The primary cause of squeaking in wooden swings is the friction of the rope that eventually sands down the wood. Sanding is typical on any wooden suspension chain and can occur on wooden frames, tree branches, etc.
If this is the case with your porch swing, you might want to move the rope to another part of the wood, somewhere sturdier. If that doesn’t work, place a foam against the wood and chain rope to prevent friction and sanding.
Use Rubber On Metal Parts
We established from the above tip that using foam can help mitigate friction and squeaking in wooden porch swings. So how do you solve a similar problem around metal pieces or metallic swings?
Consider using rubber instead of foam since runners can easily absorb friction in metal parts and even ensure tension from the swing.
Place a piece of rubber between hooks and other mounting hardware and see your squeaky porch swing function smoothly again.
Add Extra Protection To The Wood
If your porch swing is made of wood, the slats attached to the back seat will develop a squeaky sound at some point. You can prevent this from occurring by protecting the wood early on.
Apply two to three coats of waterproof polyurethane on different crevices of the swing. As you apply the polyurethane, allow it to dry between coats.
Another tip: if you want to paint the wood to retain its appearance, do it before adding the polyurethane protection.
Practice Regular Maintenance of the Mounting Hardware and Hooks between the metal contact
Sometimes a squeaking porch swing may not have any structural issues at all. Sometimes it could be a simple case of neglect and lack of proper maintenance.
The possibility of creaking sounds caused by accumulated debris should not be ignored. This is a common occurrence, especially where the mounting hardware is made chiefly of metal.
If this is the case, and you may need to stop squeaking, you’ll need to remove your porch swing and clean up the hooks and mounting hardware.
We recommend that you wash the metallic attachments with a mild detergent and warm water. Detergents like Dawn Liquid Dishwashing Soap are a good choice since it helps prevent rusting.
Once everything has been thoroughly cleaned, reassemble everything and hang up the hooks and mounting hardware.
Repair Wooden Beams
Another reason why your porch swing could be producing uncomfortable sounds is if it’s hanging on unsecured wooden beams. This means that as the stud moves back and forth in the wood slats, it results in squeaking.
The best way to solve this problem is to screw a piece of wood between the swing chain, joists and studs. Otherwise, to ensure your porch swing is securely mounted, consider making new holes and adding an extra 2×6 to the joists to stop squeaking completely.
Make The Necessary Replacements
Perhaps the only thing disrupting your leisure time on your porch swing is a case of irredeemable wear and tear.
It means your mounting hardware may have seen better days and now can’t hold anymore. In this case, you only have one option: replace the worn-out pieces.
This is a lot of work, and it can be a little costly. But it’s better than enduring the irritating sounds and exposing yourself to a potential accident should the swing come off.
Replacing old mounting hardware and other essentials like scrap rubber guarantees the longevity and maximum function of your porch swing ensures peace and improves the general aesthetic of your front porch.
Use scrap rubber
It is also possible to use pieces of crap rubber or old bicycle tires to minimize the squeaking of your porch swing. All that is needed is to place the scrap rubber between the joints of the metallic hardware and the metal contact.
Recommended Lubricants For Your Porch Swing
Lubricating your swing regularly is one of the best ways to ensure proper maintenance and avoid dryness. But how would you know which lubricant out there is the best?
There are so many lubricants on the market that choosing the best one for your porch swing can be overwhelming. To make things a little easier for you, we have created a list of the best lubricants we recommend for maintaining your porch swing.
After extensively testing different products on different types of porch swings, we settled on the following based on quality and durability.
Oil Lubricants
Oil is one of the oldest and most popular lubricants. It is used in lubricating nearly every piece of equipment, including machines and tools. There are oil lubricants specifically for swings. An example is a 3-IN-ONE lubricant which you can find on Amazon and other retail stores.
Although you cannot find this product in a spray can, it is available in a squirt can. Similar lubricants are available in a flex-top, so you can easily squeeze the oil over the hardware. Still, oil is just as messy as grease, so care should be taken when using it. Apply minimal amounts and avoid spreading it over to other parts of the swing.
Dry lube
Dry lube is an excellent option to lubricate smaller and complicated hardware. You can use small amounts of this lubricant as it can easily fit into tight places without gumming up. Dry lube is sold in the form of powder spray and is cleaner than other types of lubricants.
PTFE (Teflon) spray
Teflon is the brand name for the chemical Polytetrafluoroethylene, abbreviated PTFE, a product of DuPont Teflon. PTFE is available in spray form and works the same way as silicon spray, only that it’s heavy-duty and, therefore, of the highest quality. If you’re looking for an excellent lubricant for most metal-on-metal issues, consider using PTFE.
Penetrating Lubricant
Penetrant contains a minimal amount of lubricant, yet it works well on rusty metal surfaces. Penetrant also helps loosen jammed metal parts, although you should be sure not to heat the joints with a torch so this lubricant will not produce harmful fumes. Instead, use vibration and apply another effective lubricant on top of the penetrant.
Lanolin-based lubricant
This type of lubricant is commonly known as Fluid Film. It generally contains solvent and typically stays wet to avoid gunk build-up. One good thing about lanolin-based lubricant is that it is water and corrosion-resistant, and these characteristics make it suitable for outdoor elements, and it’s also child safe.
Silicone spray
This spray is highly malleable than other lubricants, and it can be applied on different types of swings and is suitable for waterproofing. If you’ve used other kinds of lubricants, it’s best to clean the surface before applying the spray to make it stick. Use a solvent cleaner to clean up the surface and avoid spraying silicone on lacquer.
White lithium grease
This type of lubricant is made of thick white grease, primarily used on bearing housings. It can be used in environments with high temperatures and pressure.
However, white lithium grease is just as messy as regular grease and can cake up if used in tight spots. But the good thing is that lithium grease is made to ensure most outdoor conditions, including corrosion.
How To Stop a Porch Swing From Squeaking: FAQS
Why does my Graco swing squeak?
Clicking, grinding, creaking, or squeaking noise developed by your Graco porch swing could be caused by several issues including motor or heart failure. You can inspect and make the necessary adjustments or replace the motor oil and malfunctioning parts that are making noise.
How do I stop my metal swings from squeaking?
There are many ways you can stop your swing from making noise. Check if the bolts are loosened and re-attach them. Alternatively, use rubber on the malfunctioning part or apply a good quality lubricant. The best lubricant to use on metal-on-metal setups is silicone spray grease or motor oil.
What can I use for squeaky porch swings?
Depending on the type of swing, the material it’s made of, and the specific cause of squeaking, you can check if the beams or joists are secure and adjust them accordingly. You can also use rubber, foam, and lubricants to rectify the situation.
What can I do with an old porch swing?
You can recycle and do a bit of repair to bring it back to life or turn it into outdoor furniture such as a garden desk or table. Also, you can make legs for the vintage piece and turn it into a daybed or planter bench somewhere in the corner of your garden.
Final Thoughts.
A squeaky porch swing can indicate several underlying issues. Lack of lubrication can be an apparent contributing factor, but debris, loosened bolts, worn-out mounting hardware, corrosion, and structural instability are other notable catalysts.
Therefore, if you apply lubrication and the problem persists, you can refer to these tips to investigate and solve the problem.
