11 Sep How to Fix a Squeaky Floor

People don’t have to live in a haunted house to experience squeaky floors. It happens to new homes, older homes, and those with vinyl, linoleum, carpeting and hardwood floors. Addressing the squeak will depend on what type of flooring is in the home and the solution will depend on identifying the source.

Touching Boards

When two boards rub against each other, they create sound where they touch. Individuals may also be able to see the board move if it’s a hardwood floor. Wood is a porous material. Floors can produce squeaks in summer during humid and rainy conditions when the boards absorb moisture, swell and rub against each other. Controlling humidity indoors can help.

Fill the Gap

Joists are the large supporting beams under the home. If they develop a gap between the subfloor and the top of the joists, they creak when pressure is placed on the floor. The solution is to place a shim in the gap. For long gaps that run along a floor joist, a floor adhesive can be applied. It will harden and prevent movement.

Wood Supports

If the joist has become warped or damaged, it can be repaired by affixing a piece of wood along the joist to provide additional support and stop the creak.

Wood Blocks

When joists are creating noise, a wood block can be placed between the joists to quiet them down. The source of the creak may be due to warping, shrinkage or decay of the joists.

Screw it Down

Sometimes the floor will separate from a home’s subfloor. An easy fix is to simply screw the subflooring to the flooring.

Lubricants

Talcum powder is a powerful lubricant that can be used on hardwood floors to quiet squeaks due to friction. Sprinkle the powder into the joints of floorboards, put down a towel and repeatedly walk over the squeaky area until the creak disappears.