Squeaky floors can be seriously annoying—especially when they wake up a toddler as mom or dad tries to sneakily escape their room after bedtime. The cause is simply the home’s process of expansion and contraction. When a homeowner experienced this in his older home, he called general contractor Tom Silva for help.
What Causes Squeaky Floors?
Understanding the cause of squeaky floors is helpful when finding a lasting solution. Here are some common causes of floor squeakiness:
Wood movement and loose nails: Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. Over time, this movement can loosen the nails holding the floorboards in place. When you step on the floor, the boards shift and rub against these loose nails, causing them to squeak.
Gaps between floorboards and the subfloor: Another common cause. These gaps can result from house settling, wood warping, or improper installation. When you apply weight to the floor, the boards flex and rub, causing squeaks.
Improper installation: In some cases, poor installation is to blame. This could mean not enough nails, the wrong type of nails, or insufficient subfloor-to-joist fasteners. Any of these issues can cause friction between the boards and create noise.
Locating Squeaky Areas
Before you can fix a squeaky floor, you need to pinpoint the exact location of the problem. Here are some steps to help you locate the squeaky areas:
• Walk slowly around the room, paying close attention to any squeaks or creaks you hear.
• Mark the squeaky spots with painter’s tape or a piece of chalk.
• Have someone walk on the floor while you listen from below, if possible, to identify the source of the squeak more precisely.
• Check for any visible gaps between floorboards or signs of movement when weight is applied to the area.How To Fix a Squeaky Floor
- The first step is to locate the existing framing. Lay a shim down over the flooring (typically parallel to the wood planks) and lightly tap it with a hammer and listen for a change in sound. A hollow sound indicates that there isn’t a joist underneath, while a solid sound means there is likely framing lumber at that location. Mark it with tape or a pencil.
- Use the finder bit and drill through the floor at the mark. Once through, reverse the drill. If the bit forces the drill back out, you’ve hit a joist. If the bit just spins in place and doesn’t force the drill out, move over slightly and try again.
- Put a screw in the repair kit jig and align it with the hole in the floor. Use the drill to drive the special screws through the floor and into the joist. Once it’s through enough, the screw will automatically snap, securing the floorboards together tightly.
Note: It helps to have someone stand on the floor to force it down while driving the screw.
- Use the tape measure to find the next joist (usually 16 inches, but could be 12 inches, or even random spacing). Repeat the process with the bit and kit, fastening the floor down again.
- Walk around the area to ensure that the squeaks are gone. A slight bounce will help reveal any trickier squeaks. Continue repeating the process until all of the squeaks are gone.
- Use the floor repair kit to fill the holes. Do your best to blend the colors, swapping between crayons as necessary until the holes mostly disappear. Use a rag to buff the floor around the holes to remove the excess crayon.
Preventing Future Squeaks
While it’s impossible to completely prevent wood floors from ever squeaking again, these are a few steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of future problems:
• Avoid walking on floors in high heels or cleats, as they can damage the wood and loosen fasteners.
• Consider using area rugs or carpets in high-traffic areas to minimize wear and tear on the floorboards and reduce squeak occurrences.
• Maintain consistent indoor humidity levels to reduce wood movement.
• Periodically inspect your floors for signs of wear or movement and address issues promptly.
• Use a dehumidifier in damp basements or crawl spaces to protect the subfloor from moisture.Resources
Tom uses a power drill to find the joist.
Tom uses the “Squeeek No More” Floor Repair Kit in order to align the joist, subfloor, and finish.
Tom uses wood floor repair crayons to blend the holes created by the drill.
