How To Fix Squeaky Floors
If you've stumbled upon this article, chances are you've grown weary of the irritating noises coming from your floors. We understand your frustration. Whether it's the entryway, where guests are greeted with a squeaky melody or the bedroom floor that disrupts the entire household at night, the squeaks need addressing and shouldn't be tolerated.
This article will delve into the primary reasons your floors may be squeaking and effective ways to remedy the issue. Without further ado, let's delve straight into the topic.
Understanding Squeaky Floors
To effectively address the squeaks in your floors, it's essential to comprehend how your floors are constructed and the underlying causes of various types of squeaks. Squeaks can stem from any flooring, originating from the floorboards themselves or, more commonly, from the subfloor.
If you reside in a private home, there's a high probability that your house features timber joists in its construction. This method represents one of the most prevalent approaches to home building. NAHB’s 2021 report stated that 92% of houses constructed in the US were wood-framed, while 7% were concrete-made.
Wooden homes typically incorporate a subfloor system comprised of plywood or particleboard sheets supported by a framework of timber joists. Over time, this type of floor structure can give rise to various squeak-related issues due to regular wear and tear.
Here are a few specific issues you may be encountering:
Floorboards rub against each other or create a hollow space that allows the two adjacent floorboards to move instead of being firmly secured to the subfloor (common in hardwood floors).
A gap between a joist and a subfloor is caused by a loose nail or one joist being slightly higher than the ones beside it.
Conventional lumber joists sagging with time create an uneven surface for the plywood to be attached to.
Plywood sheets rubbing against each other.
Preparation for Fixing Squeaky Floors
Here are a few tools you want to have at hand before you start fixing the squeaks:
Drill
Hammer
Screws
Shims
Stud finder
Subfloor adhesive (wood glue is also an alternative)
Measuring tape
2x4 piece of wood
Special squeak-eliminating kits
Wood filler
Before you proceed with drilling through your floors, it's crucial to remember that there are likely many electric cables running under the subfloor, as well as plumbing tubes between the joists and so on. To ensure you don't exacerbate the squeak problem with a burst pipe or power outage, exercise extreme caution if you cannot access the floor from below. Consider this and use a stud finder to locate the joist before drilling.
Methods to Fix Squeaky Floors
The methods for fixing squeaky floors heavily depend on the type of flooring, accessibility to different parts of the floor structure, and the squeak source. These factors can significantly influence the difficulty of resolving the issue.
In the best-case scenario, you can access the floor from the basement, which gives you more options for fixing the squeaks.
However, it's common that reaching the base structure of the floor requires removing the flooring. This surely complicates the fixing process, but don't worry. Before taking this step, there are a few more options to try and see if the issue can be resolved.
Section A: You Are Able To Access The Floor From Below
If you do have access to the bottom of the floor, begin by locating the area from above. You can use a measuring tape to measure the distance from any easily identifiable point of reference in the basement, such as a foundation wall.
Once you've located the area and accessed it from the bottom, you can try a few different approaches to determine which works best for your specific case.
Insert Shims Into Gaps
An easy way to fix a squeak stemming from the gap between plywood and the joists is to insert shims into the gap to fill them. When inserting the shims, it's best to push them in as far as possible using your hand rather than a hammer. Using a hammer increases the risk of pushing the shim too far, potentially creating a larger space and resulting in a possible bump in your floor.
Experiment with the position and number of shims until you no longer hear any squeaks. You can have someone assist you from above by checking for squeaks as you reposition the shims.
Use Construction Adhesive
Another solution for addressing long gaps between the subfloor layer and the joists is to fill them with subfloor adhesive or any other construction adhesive. Ensure you apply a generous amount into the gap and press it in with your finger.
It's essential to allow the adhesive to dry and harden for at least 12 hours before testing if the squeak is still present.
In addition to using adhesive for long gaps, consider the following step to reinforce the subfloor further.
Secure a 2x4 Board to the Joist
If the joist has shrunk, creating a gap, this can lead to multiple issues, resulting in squeaks. For instance, the plywood may move up and down on the screws or against another sheet of plywood. The most long-term solution to this issue is to add a small 2x4 piece of wood to strengthen the weak spot.
To ensure no further squeaks, apply construction glue onto the two sides of the 2x4, which will be pressed against the joist and the plywood. After adding a good amount of glue, position and hold the 2x4 onto the spot with the gap, then drill the screws at an angle to secure the board to the joists.
Tip: Pre-screw a tiny hole with just the tip of the screw so that the screw can hold in place as you put the board up. This can be helpful if you don't have anyone to hold the board in place as you drill the screws in.
Drive Short Screws Through the Bottom
This may not be the optimal solution for every case of squeaks, so it's crucial to investigate the cause thoroughly. If you've checked for gaps and found none in the exact area where the squeak is coming from, then the issue may lie in the floorboards not being tightly attached to the subfloor. This scenario is especially likely if you notice a bump in your floor and movement between the two floorboards as you step on them.
To fix this, you'll need screws short enough to avoid penetrating the top layer of the floor. Ensure you have something heavy placed on the spot to press down the floorboards as you screw in the screws from the bottom of the floor, connecting the subfloor sheets to the floorboards.
Section B: You Are Only Able To Access The Top Of The Floor
Not being able to access the bottom of the floor restricts your options for fixing the issue and the lasting effectiveness of the solution. However, depending on the problem's severity, you may benefit from attempting the following quick fixes.
Lubricate the Floorboards
A quick fix for squeaky hardwood floorboards involves using lubricants such as powdered graphite or baby powder. This method aims to fill in the gap between the two floorboards. You want to pound on the floorboards as you fill the gap up and step around the gap to ensure it gets properly filled.
While some individuals opt for lock lubricant or WD-40, it's important to thoroughly clean it off to prevent your floors from becoming slippery.
It's essential to note that this method is not one we strongly endorse, and its effectiveness depends on the underlying cause of the squeak. While it's a simple solution worth trying, the likelihood of it fully resolving the problem is small but still present.
No squeak kits
Innovative solutions have emerged to address squeaks, including special kits equipped with breakaway nails to prevent protruding nails after drilling through hardwood floors or carpets. To make this method effective, you need to locate not only the squeak but also the joists, ensuring you avoid drilling through pipes or electrical cables. Here are several methods to find the joists:
Tap the floor with a hammer and listen for a solid sound rather than a hollow one. This method may be easier and more accurate with carpets without flooring underneath, but it's more challenging with floorboards over subfloor sheets.
Use a stud finder, which some find helpful while others may not. It's still worth trying to see how it works for your floor.
Locate your air register, as it's often positioned between two joists, indicating the direction in which the joists run. Joists are generally 16'' apart from each other.
If you have a carpet with a plywood subfloor beneath it, the easiest option is to lift the carpet to access the subfloor and secure the subfloor sheets with screws. This method minimizes the risk of damaging anything under the floor, as you can follow the row of nails already in place along the joist.
Once you've identified the joists, use the purchased kit to drive screws through the length of the joist in the identified squeak area. You may opt to leave the screws in place without breaking them off until you finish installing all of them. This allows you to easily identify where to place additional screws if the squeak persists. Finally, break away the leftover screw heads and fill in the holes with wood filler unless you have carpet flooring, which will cover up the screw holes.
Preventive Measures and Maintenance
If you're planning to replace your flooring, it presents the best opportunity to minimize the chances of future issues with squeaky floors. Discuss with your contractor strategies to prevent future problems, including:
Reinforcing the old subflooring by driving screws near each nail to secure the subfloor to the joists.
Select the best type of flooring based on your home's conditions and specific areas, and ensure you avoid placing flooring susceptible to humidity in areas exposed to water.
Here are a few helpful tips to integrate into your routine to prevent future squeaks:
Monitor humidity levels, especially if you notice squeaks vary with the seasons. Depending on your climate, using a humidifier or dehumidifier can help protect floors from damage.
Maintain a stable temperature in your home to prevent sudden fluctuations that can affect hardwood floors.
Avoid excessive water exposure, as it can lead to damage and squeaks. Take care to protect areas prone to spills and moisture, and mop with a damp cloth rather than wetting the floor excessively. Place rugs in spill-prone areas, such as in front of the kitchen sink.
Protect your floors from dirt, as dirt particles between floorboards can lead to friction between the floorboards and, over time, can cause squeaks. Use rugs in entryways and clean the area regularly.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you've attempted the easy fixes without success or lack access to the subfloor and suspect the issue lies within it rather than the floorboards, it may be wise to seek professional assistance. In many cases, a section of your floorboards may need to be removed to reinforce the subfloor with screws.
We understand that this process requires time and effort, so our Premier Remodeling professionals are always available to assist you. We specialize in handling large and time-consuming jobs in your home, allowing you to use it as a space for rest.
Transform your space with affordable flooring services in Chicago. Premier Remodeling offers quality hardwood floor installation, refinishing, and repair services at unbeatable prices. From kitchens to entire homes, our all-in-one approach ensures seamless remodeling experiences. Contact us today for a free estimate and discover why Premier Remodeling is the trusted choice for many clients.
