Squeaky floors are very common in older homes. Wood floors creak when something—usually a board—works loose and rubs against another board or against the subfloor. Whether you have access to the area under your floor or not, we’ll cover techniques for reducing the noise from a loud floor. First let’s take a look at the structure of flooring. Diagram of Typical Floor ConstructionHow to Stop Floor Squeaks from AboveIf you live in an apartment or have a basement with finished ceiling (meaning, you can’t view the underside of the floor clearly) you’ll be limited to the following techniques. Use Dry Lubricant Between Floor BoardsLubricating floor surfaces to reduce the friction caused when they rub together can be a great place to start. Especially if you live in a dry climate, the lack of humidity can cause wood floors to dry out slightly, which can make squeaking louder. This is an easy solution but not always effective. Try working a little powdered graphite, talcum powder, or baby powder between floor boards and then cleaning up the surface. Work the powder in by stepping on and around the noisy board to generate movement, and see if you notice any improvement. As an alternative, you can try squirting small amounts of wood glue into cracks between boards and working it in with a putty knife. Wipe up the excess glue and weight down the surface until the glue dries. Fix Squeaks Beneath Carpeted FloorsIf the floor is squeaking under a carpet, we recommend trying a The Squeeeeek-No-More Kit which can be purchased at Amazon. To use this kit, you’ll need to:
The following video will show you how to use the Squeeeeek-No-More on carpeted, vinyl, and wood floors. Carefully Drive Nails through FlooringIf you can’t get beneath the floor, another option is to drive ring-shank nails (nails with circular ribs similar to screws) at a slight angle into floor joists, as shown below. Before driving them in, drill pilot holes so that the wood won’t split. Using a nailset to avoid damaging your flooring, sink the heads slightly below the wood’s surface. (Note: If you re-sand the floor in the future, these nailheads can be troublesome because they may tear up the sandpaper on the power sander.) Fill the nail holes with wood putty colored to match the flooring. Secure flooring by driving ring-shank nails at an angle.Fix a Squeaky Floor from BelowStopping the movement of flooring components altogether is a more permanent solution to floor noise. To determine exactly what is making noise, go under the floor, to a basement without a finished ceiling or to a crawlspace, and then listen while somebody walks above you. You might have to remove insulation that’s under the floor or between the floor joists to gain better access. If your problem includes bouncy or sagging floors, try these floor repair tricks. Check for Errant NailsCheck for nails that have missed the floor joists and are rubbing up against them, causing a squeak to occur. If you find incorrectly-placed nails, cut them off with a good pair of diagonal cutters. Also look for areas where the subfloor may not be nailed down with enough nails. If there is a gap between a joist and the subflooring, drive a glue-coated shingle or shim (a small wedge) between the joist and subfloor just tight enough to stop the squeak. Insert Shims into Gaps Between Joists and the SubfloorCreaky floors occur due to a separation between floor parts like joists and the wood subfloor. To fill these gaps:
Once the shim is placed properly, drive a screw at an angle through the corner of the joist to secure the shim. Be careful not to penetrate too deep into the subfloor. © HomeTips + Find a Wood Flooring Repair Pro Near You Drive a Screw from Underneath the FloorIf the floor is still squeaking, you can try driving a short screw through the subfloor into the underside of the flooring surface. (Important: Be sure the screw is not too long or it will pop through the surface!) Insert it through a fender washer (a circular metal washer) before driving it. It’s easiest to use square-drive or drywall screws and a power screwdriver or cordless power drill with the appropriate tip. You can also choose wood screws which are slightly less likely to break during installation. Tighten the Subfloor to a JoistFor under $10, you can use this well-designed contraption to secure an area of flooring more securely to the underlying joist. To use this device:
This should help to prevent the movement that was causing the squeak. Check the Bridging Between JoistsSqueaks coming from between joists may be caused by inadequate bridging. Re-nail any loose parts and, if necessary, install a piece of bridging against the subfloor to reinforce it, as shown here. Add bridging for additional support beneath the squeak.Nailing solid blocking between floor joists can strengthen support for the subfloor, reducing movement. If the joist is sagging and the subfloor is flat, cut a piece of 2-by-4 long enough to extend 12 inches beyond the gap on either side. Nail it to one side of the joist. Tighten Flooring to the SubfloorFinish flooring (the exposed flooring material) that does not fit flush with the subfloor can also be tightened from below. Drill a couple of 1/4-inch holes through the subfloor, taking care not to drill through the flooring surface. Press the nozzle of a carpenter’s glue bottle into the holes and force glue up into the space between subfloor and finish flooring. Then have someone stand on the raised spot while you drive screws through the subfloor into the finish floor. Be sure the screws are long enough to grip the finish floor without going all the way through, and use washers to ensure the screws will not be pulled into the subfloor. Another method is to pre-drill pieces of 2 by 2, 18 inches long, at convenient angles for driving 2-inch or 2 1/2-inch screws into the subfloor and joists. Partially drive the screws into the pre-drilled holes. Coat the screws with carpenter’s glue and power-drive them into place. Find a Pre-Screened Local Wood Flooring Repair Pro |