Squeak….squeak….. squeak…
Are your floors squeaky? If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners have to deal with the annoying sound of squeaky floors. The good news is that you don’t have to live with it. There are many ways to fix squeaky floors, most of which are fairly easy.
In this article, we’ll look at the most common causes of squeaky floors and how to fix them for good.
So, if you’re ready to get rid of that annoying squeak, read on.
What Causes Squeaky Floors?
Before fixing the problem, you have to identify the root cause first.
There are many reasons why your floor may be squeaking. Here are some of the most common ones:
Changing Seasons
According to the Britannica Encyclopedia, wood contracts and expands as the temperature changes. Not just wood experiences this, but also other materials like metal and plastic. When the temperature rises, these materials expand. When it cools down, they contract.
Additionally, the wood absorbs moisture from the air and expands with high humidity. Leaks in a drainage system can also introduce excess moisture into your flooring. On the other hand, loss of moisture can lead to shrinkage.
While the expansion and contraction are often negligible on a small scale, they will be more noticeable in big structures such as floors. The squeaking sound is one sign of this.
Floor Joist Issues
A creaky floor often indicates an issue with the joist. Floor joists are wooden horizontal structures that provide support for the subfloor. They bear the load of the floor’s weight.
The squeaking usually comes from the gap between the joist and the subfloor. Over time, as buildings settle, the nails securing the joists’ subfloor can loosen. It allows movement that leads to squeaking sounds when pressure is applied to the floor above.
Other reasons include warped joists, lack of bridging, poor workmanship, and low-quality materials.
Subfloor Problems
If it’s not the joists, then it may be the subfloor. Remember that a squeaky floor is often the result of a gap somewhere in the structure.
Squeaky subfloors often stem from the following reasons:
- Uneven Subfloor: An uneven, out-of-level, or sagging subfloor can create gaps in your flooring structure, which may need to be filled or supported below.
- Low-Quality Materials: Subfloor materials that are of low quality or have degraded over time due to moisture exposure, insect damage, or natural wear and tear may not provide a solid, stable base for flooring.
- Improper Installation: Improperly installed subfloors can lead to issues down the line, including squeaks. This can include insufficient nailing, incorrect spacing of the panels, or failure to leave enough space between panels to accommodate natural expansion and contraction.
Loose Tongue And Groove
A loose tongue and groove on floorboards can move when not firmly attached. Over time, the tongue and groove, the interlocking parts of the wood planks, can dry out and shrink, leaving gaps for movement. With foot traffic or weight bearing on the floor, the planks can then rub against each other, producing a sound.
Delamination
Delamination of wood flooring means the layers of the wood are coming apart. This can happen in engineered wood or materials like plywood.
The separated layers may move when pressure is applied, such as when someone walks over them. The movement between these layers can result in a squeaking noise. Typically, delamination occurs due to moisture damage, adhesive failure, or subpar manufacturing processes.
How Do You Permanently Fix Squeaky Floors?
Once you identify the source of squeaky noise from your floors, it’s time to fix it. While temporary solutions are effective, the annoying noise will return sooner or later. It’s better to fix it once and for all.
Here are some of the permanent solutions:
Working From Below
If you have a crawl space or access to the underside of your floors, here are some solutions that you can try:
Construction-grade Adhesive
If gaps in your flooring are causing the squeaky noise, applying a construction-grade adhesive can be an effective solution. You can carefully inject the adhesive into these gaps using a caulking gun, securing loose areas. This should significantly reduce or even eliminate the squeaking.
Screwing Or Installing Shims
If the gaps are too wide and the adhesive doesn’t work, you can try screwing or installing shims. Screwing helps secure the joists to the subfloor, while shims can fill in any gaps.
The screws must be countersunk so as not to protrude above the floor surface. Also, check areas where the nails from the subfloor missed hitting the joists. In these spots, drive screws to fasten the subfloor to the joists securely.
You can also insert thin pieces of wood or shims into the gap. It’s crucial not to force the shim too tightly, as this could cause further lifting of the subfloor. Instead, apply construction adhesive and gently tap it in just enough to stop the squeak.
Stabilize Warped And Twisted Joists
If your joists are warped or twisted, you can stabilize them by attaching planks along the joist. Fasten the plank to the joist and the subfloor above to anchor them together effectively. Additionally, you can place blocks of wood between two joists. These blocks will straighten the joists, helping stabilize your joists and the above subfloor, thereby limiting movement.
If gaps remain due to the warping, you can add shims to prevent the creaking noise.
Working From Above
If you can’t access the area under your floors, the only option is to fix it from above.
Try the following methods:
Squeak No More Kits
These kits work the same way as screws but are designed specifically for fixing squeaky floors.
The kit includes:
- A unique alignment and depth control tool.
- A customized drive bit.
- Screws that break off below the surface of the wood after driving them in.
The screws pull the subfloor tightly against the joist, which stops the squeaking sound by preventing movement. Once the screw is in the correct depth, you can snap the screw head off below the surface of the wood to leave a smooth finish.
This is the perfect solution if you have a carpeted floor, as it fixes the problem without causing damage or removing the carpet.
Moisture And Temperature Control System
If the humidity and extreme temperatures are causing the squeaky problem, you can install control systems to regulate it.
There are specific devices that cater to different moisture or temperature problems. Here are some suggestions:
- Dehumidifier: it removes moisture from the air.
- Vapor Barrier or Crawl Space Encapsulation: It prevents moisture from penetrating walls, floors, and ceilings.
- Ventilation System: It helps reduce moisture levels.
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning: HVAC provides heating and cooling to maintain desired temperature levels.
- Insulation: It reduces heat flow into or out of a building.
- Smart Home System: A home automation system to control temperature and humidity levels.
- Thermostat: It regulates the heating and cooling systems based on temperature settings.
Lubrication And Adhesives
You can apply lubrication or adhesive to secure the boards with loose tongues and grooves. This method may also work for other exposed parts of flooring that are loose.
Powdered graphite or talcum works as an excellent lubricant. For adhesives, wood glue, epoxy, or construction adhesive are good options.
Repair Or Replacement
For damaged parts of your flooring, such as delaminated or cracked boards, it is better to replace than repair them. If the damage is minor, you can fill the gaps using a wood filler or putty and then sand it down. However, we recommend replacing the entire board if the damage is extensive.
Seek Professional Help
While you can DIY some of the solutions listed here, there are flooring problems that may require the help of a professional.
For example, uneven or sagging floors may indicate a more serious problem, such as foundation issues. Apart from that, improper installation and the use of low-quality materials may require the eye of a professional to determine the best course of action, especially if you are looking for a permanent solution.
If you have foundation, basement or crawl space problems, reach out to HydroHelp911. We are a team of professionals specializing in basement, crawl space, and foundation services in the Charlotte, NC, area. We can help you find the best solution for your squeaky floors and get it fixed for good.
