Fix Squeaky Floors

So your house is suffering from the squeaky floor syndrome and you don't know what to do! Squeaky floors can be annoying and very troublesome. The squeaks and creaks that you hear, every time someone walks on them can drive you crazy. But don't worry! It is quite possible to get rid of these squeaky floors. Although eliminating the source of squeaks completely can be a difficult job, there are several simple and easy methods that require minimal investment in equipment.

How to Fix Squeaky Floors

The key to getting rid of the squeaky floors is to identify the root cause of the squeaks and to fix it permanently. There can be several reasons that can cause squeaky floors. The wood dries out and shrinks, over a period of time, that generates small gaps between the hardwood boards. These gaps are a common cause of squeaky floors. Most wood flooring in modern houses is made up of several layers of wood. The lowest layer, known as the floor joists, can also cause squeaking due to sagging over time. The nature of the squeaks as well as the method to fix noisy floors depends on what layer is responsible for the noise and what type of finishing the floor has.

Fix Squeaky Wood Floors from Underneath
The first and the most important thing to do is to locate the exact source of squeaks. You could do this by asking someone to walk on the floor while you examine the floor joists from below. Look for any movement that would indicate a loose joist or gaps in between the joist and the subfloor above it. If you find either, you can fix it up using the options given below:

Things Required:

• Construction adhesive
• Wooden shims
• Wooden screws
• Hammer
• Flooring nails

Directions:

• If you find a gap between the layers, it is quite simple to deal with it. Apply construction adhesive on a tapered shim and carefully tap into the gap. Don't force it inside or it may widen the gap and worsen the condition.
• If the floorboards are warped or the bracing is loose, you may have to re-attach it using wooden screws. Be careful not to tighten the screws so hard that they may strip the wood.
• Another option would be to install an extra bracing between the floor joints. Make sure to screw the bracing firmly into the subfloor.

Fix Noisy Floors from Above
In case you find it difficult to get to the underside of the floor as it may be situated on the second story or there is a finished ceiling below the squeaky floor, you can work it up from the top too. These are some simple techniques to fix squeaky hardwood floors from the top.

Things Required:

• Powdered graphite or talcum powder
• Paper towels
• Flooring nails
• Small screws

Directions:

• An easy option would be to sprinkle some talcum powder or graphite along the seams of the boards. Cover the powder with a cloth or paper towels and step on the floorboards to let the powder into the seam. The powder lubricates the surface of the boards and stops them from rubbing against each other. This method works well for small cracks or gaps.
• If the floor is still squeaky, you will have to nail the floorboard into the subfloor. You could also fasten the floorboards using small screws as they hold better than the nails. Do not forget to patch the holes with a wood filler.

If you have carpeting done, just roll your carpet to access the floorboards underneath. This will allow you to fix floor squeaks without damaging the carpet. So gather all the tools and get ready to stop your floors from squeaking! All the best!