Squeaky floors can be an annoyingly persistent problem, especially for homeowners in older homes.
These squeaks often seem like they can follow you around your house, and can create a lot of problems for parents who don’t want to wake their young children when walking around after their bedtime, but just what can you do?
In many cases, there are plenty of ways to fix squeaky wood floors without tearing up your whole home. You just need to know what to do. So, if you’re dealing with a squeaky wooden floor and want to figure out how to fix it, here is everything you need to know.
Why Do Wood Floors Squeak?
Squeaks in wooden floors usually happen when the floorboards move and rub up against nails, screws, joists, or the subfloor itself.
In most cases, these squeaks aren’t because the floorboard is broken or installed improperly. It’s just that years of seasonal temperature and humidity changes have caused the boards to expand, contract, and warp over time.
How To Locate the Source of the Squeak
Before you can fix a squeaky wood floor, you have to be able to identify the exact location of the squeak, which can be a difficult challenge at first, especially if there are multiple squeaky locations throughout your home.
The best way to locate a squeaky floorboard is to simply walk slowly across the floor, listening closely to identify exactly which step causes a squeak. Then you can mark the problem area with a piece of tape and move on to find more squeaks. Only once you know where all of the squeaky floorboards are can you actually take steps to fix the problem.
How Do You Fix Squeaky Floors From Above?
If you are able to, fixing the squeaky floor from above is always the easier option, as it doesn’t require you to tear the floor up or access the floor from underneath.
There are essentially two ways to do this, the first of which is by applying a powdered lubricant like talcum powder or graphite. Both of these lubricants can significantly reduce the friction between boards, making this option the ideal first repair attempt.
Another potential fix is to secure the loose board with additional screws or finish nails, which can keep the board from moving and creating annoying noises as you walk.
How Do You Fix Squeaky Floors From Below?
If you can easily access the subfloor from a basement or crawl space, this is undoubtedly the better option, as repairs from below are often much more effective and far less visible.
Using wood screws to tighten the connection between the subfloor and joists is a great way to reduce board movement and, in turn, squeaking. You may even be able to use wood glue or another adhesive to reinforce that connection for added longevity.
In some cases where larger empty spaces are responsible for the excess movement and squeaking, you may be able to insert a shim to fill the gap. However, this can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing, so only attempt it if you have the experience and know-how to pull it off.
How To Fix Old Squeaky Wood Floors
Older floors can be a lot trickier than newer ones because they’ve had years to move, wear down, and settle. In these cases, it’s not just movement you should be worried about. You’ll also need to think about the condition of the subfloor and fasteners.
Fixing an old squeaky floor could be as simple as adding a few extra nails or screws to the weakest areas. However, there’s a good chance that this only offers temporary relief, and you’ll need to address deeper structural issues if you truly want to fix the problem. In this case, it’s best to ask a professional for help.
Can You Fix Squeaky Laminate Wood Floors?
Laminate floors can become squeaky, too, but they often squeak for completely different reasons than wood floors. In the case of laminate, the squeaking is usually caused by an uneven subfloor, overly compressed underlayment, or insufficient expansion gaps.
Unfortunately, though you may be able to fix minor issues by repairing the subfloor or replacing the underlayment in the problem area, if more than just a few panels are squeaking, then you may need to remove and replace a part of the floor entirely.
Preventing Squeaky Floors in the Future
Once you successfully fix your squeaky wood floor, it’s a good idea to take some preventative measures to make sure that the problem doesn’t come back down the road.
When it comes to wood, maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity level is key to preventing movement and warping. This means that investing in a dehumidifier and doing your best to create an environment where the temperature inside your home doesn’t fluctuate too much can go a long way to preventing future squeaking.
If your floors start to squeak again anyway, addressing small squeaks early is a great way to make sure that they don’t come back. Proper installation, maintenance, and repairs are also a must, so if you aren’t a confident DIYer yourself, contact a professional floor care specialist, as they’ll be able to give your floors the best chance of staying quiet, comfortable, and beautiful for decades to come.
Contact My Dad’s Flooring Today
Are you looking for someone you can trust to fix your squeaky wood floors? Give us a call at (610) 935-2226, or contact us on our website.
Our friendly team of local flooring experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily tell you more about how we can help you fix your squeaky wooden floors.
We’ll even offer you a free estimate so that you have all the information you need to fit our services into your budget. Don’t put up with your old squeaky wooden floor any longer. Contact My Dad’s Flooring and get rid of your squeaky floors for good today.