All floors eventually start to squeak, and you may not even notice when it first starts happening. When those creaks begin disrupting conversations and sleep, they become much harder to ignore, and action must be taken before the sounds get worse. Thankfully, fixing squeaky floors can often be a manageable DIY project. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and the steps you need to take to silence your squeaky floors, once and for all!
Loose floorboards are the root cause of most squeaks. Your floorboards create your floor via a series of connected boards resting on beams (joists). Ideally, everything should be tightly secured. Over time, however, several factors can loosen the connection between the floorboards and the subfloor (the layer of plywood or similar material beneath the floorboards) or between the subfloor and the joists. These loosened connections allow for slight movements when pressure is applied, causing those annoying squeaks. Below are some of the most common causes of loose and squeaky floorboards.
To properly identify the source of a squeaky floor, start by clearing the basement or the area beneath the squeaky floor of any obstacles or clutter to allow for safe movement. Have a partner stationed underneath the main floor, and agree on a signal like a tap or a verbal callout to indicate when you're about to walk across the suspected area. Start by walking barefoot across the entire floor, paying close attention to areas that creak. Once you've narrowed it down to a general region, have your partner position themselves directly below.
With both of you now in position, walk slowly across the suspected area, applying pressure to different sections of the floorboard with each step. Communicate with your partner after each step, letting them know if the squeak occurred. Once your partner identifies the exact floorboard where the squeak originates, they can visually inspect the underside for any noticeable gaps, loose nails, or damage.
A shim is a thin wedge of material, typically wood or plastic, used to fill small gaps and create a tighter fit between components. In the context of floors, it acts like a tiny spacer, wedged between the subfloor and the joist to eliminate any wiggle room that might cause squeaking. A paint stirrer makes for an effective and cheap shim, but any similar object will do the trick.
While shims are great for addressing gaps between the subfloor and joists, thicker squeaks sometimes originate from loose or bouncy joists themselves. Here's where a simple wood block can come in handy. If you can access the underside of the joist from a basement or crawlspace, you can stabilize it by installing a wood block perpendicular to the joist, essentially creating a mini-support column.
Look for a block of lumber that's at least 2x4 in dimension and cut it to fit snugly between the subfloor and the bottom of the joist. Secure the block to both the joist and subfloor using screws driven at an angle into the joists. This added support will help tighten up the joist and eliminate any squeaking caused by its movement.
Sometimes, a little extra tightening is all it takes to silence those squeaky floorboards. Depending on the source of the squeak, you might need to address either the floorboard itself (from above the main floor) or its connection to the subfloor below (underneath your floor).
Ensure you have clear access to the top surface of the board. This might involve moving furniture or removing carpet. To prevent the wood from splitting, use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screw diameter to create a pilot hole in the floorboard. Then, choose screws specifically designed for flooring, which typically have breakaway heads that sit flush with the floorboard surface. Screw the board securely down to the subfloor, being mindful not to over-tighten and damage the wood.
This method requires access to the underside of the floor, so you'll need to be working from your basement or crawlspace. Ensure the space is well-lit and free of clutter to create a safe working environment. Find specialized screws that are designed to be driven at an angle in order to pull the subfloor tight against the joist. Some tools, like a Squeak-Ender, can be used to ensure that your subfloor sits flush against the joist, eliminating the squeak.
For a quick attempt at silencing minor squeaks, lubrication might do the trick. Choose a powdered lubricant like graphite or silicone, and avoid oil-based lubricants that can attract dirt and grime. Simply sprinkle a small amount of the powder on the suspected squeak point, like the joint between floorboards or where the subfloor meets the joist.
Once applied, use a rag or walk on the area with shoes to work the lubricant into the gap. This quick fix may offer some temporary relief from the noise, but permanent solutions will eventually be needed to solve the squeaky problem.
When you are ready to fix your squeaky floors, once and for all, there is no substitute for professional expertise. The methods in this post are all great ways to stop the squeak, but the issues that cause a need for these fixes are often too complex for the average DIYer to take on alone. Infinity Flooring specializes in installing brand-new floors in the Salt Lake area that are sure to be seamless and squeakless! If you are ready for a quiet and comfortable floor, call us today for a free quote!
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