How to Fix Squeaky Wood Floors?

Wooden flooring greatly contributes to the beauty of your home and provides a sense of identity to it. However, due to gaps between the floor joists, they can produce irritating squeaking sounds, which apart from robbing the charm of your floor, may also result in costly repairs if not addressed early.  

Fortunately, there are simple and effective solutions for repairing squeaky wood floors, which we shall discuss in this blog with actionable steps. 

Six Methods To Fix Squeaky Wood Floors 

You need to pay immediate attention to squeaking sounds because they are among the common signs that your hardwood needs to be restored, which when not addressed immediately may result in costly repairs later. 

But how will you identify squeaking joints in the first place?

The easiest method is to walk around your home and notice if any specific spots on the floor feel shaky and produce squeaky noises. If you notice any gaps in the wood, especially in high-traffic areas or spots where heavy furniture is kept, just step on them and see if they’re producing weird noises.

The above-mentioned steps will help you identify the source of squeaks and once that’s done you can proceed with the below methods to fix them. 

Lubricate the wood 

A common cause behind the wood squeaking is the increased friction between the two immediately neighbouring floorboards. 

To fix squeaky wood floors the most simplest approach you can take is to apply lubricants like lock lubricant powdered graphite, or talcum powder on the squeaking boards to reduce the friction, thereby eliminating the irritating noises.

Simply apply the lubricant to the squeaky joint and work it to the gap in a back-and-forth motion until it’s completely filled. Wipe off any remaining residue with a damp cloth. 

Insert a board along the warped joist

Excess moisture due to spills, improper installation, or increased humidity, can cause floorboards to warp or shrink, widening the gaps between wood planks and leading to irritating squeaks. Using water-absorbent mats and managing humidity levels are some vital steps to prevent water damage and squeaking that may follow, 

However, if that problem has already occurred, it can be fixed by fastening a board along the problematic joists. Apply construction or carpenter glue on the board insert it in the gap and slide it against the lower part of the subfloor.

Though you can screw the wood piece across the joist, it is optional since the glues used in the process are strong enough to hold it firm. 

Insert shims into squeaky gaps 

Filling the floor gaps with a shim can eliminate the squeaking noises. The best way to insert shims there is to gain access to the basement and then ask someone to walk on the floor above until you hear the noises. 

Once you hear them, ask them to step on that exact spot for confirmation. Look for gaps between the underside of the subfloor and the top of the floor joist with a torch.

The purpose of filling the voids or gaps is to prevent the shaky movement of the floor, thereby eliminating the squeaks.  

Before you insert the shim in the gap after applying the carpenter’s glue to it, make sure the shim is proportionate to the size of the gap.  If it’s not pick another one. 

Ensure that you don’t force the shims into the cavities, as it might worsen the squeaky noise or damage that part of the floor altogether. 

Sometimes, it’s possible for the protective finish to wear off a bit after securing the loose boards or filling the gaps. So, it’s advisable to refinish the hardwood floor in that area just to be safe and prevent any potential damage. 

Apply construction adhesive to long gaps 

If the voids or gaps across the joists are a bit long, it would be inconvenient for you to silence squeaks using blocks or shims. A viable option for filling such cracks would be construction adhesive that is applied using a caulking gun. 

When the adhesive dries and hardens, the noises will be gone. 

Insert screws from below 

This method works very well for noises in just a single spot not caused by a gap. Go to your basement and use a power drill to insert screws using an electric screwdriver in the squeaky spots of the subfloor.

Ensure the screws aren’t longer than required to avoid damaging the floor planks. 

Drive screws from above

Drilling screws from the above is the only option when you don’t have access to the basement. 

For this, you can use counter snap screws that have a special design that makes their headwear off when inserted below the floor’s surface and makes them sit flush with the wooden floor, preventing it’s splitting or any other kind of damage

Drill some pilot holes on the noisy spot on the floor above and then, insert the screws there using a power drill. 

If you have tried all the above methods to fix squeaky wood floors, but they still keep coming back, it could indicate the need for floor restoration to finally put an end to this issue. 

Get the best care for your flooring in London 

If you’re unsure if you can fix your floor’s issues properly without damaging it, then, Floor Sanding Company in London would be very happy to help you. They have been helping homeowners keep their wooden floors beautiful and a cherished part of their home for many years.