Having squeaky floors in your home can be annoying and disrupt your peace. But there are several effective methods you can try to fix those noisy floors yourself. With some basic tools and a little effort, you can quiet those creaky floors.
Identify the Source of the Squeak
The first step is to pinpoint exactly where the squeak is coming from. Walk around the squeaky area and isolate the problem spot. Mark the location with a piece of tape.
Squeaks usually occur where the subfloor meets the floor joists. As the wood rubs against itself, it creates the squeaking sound. Determining the exact location will make fixing it much easier.
Check for Loose Floorboards
Loose floorboards rubbing against each other or against nails is a common cause of squeaky floors. Check for loose boards by walking around and pushing down on the floors with your foot.
If you find a loose board, simply renail it to secure it back in place. Use an awl or screwdriver to reseat any protruding nails. Apply wood glue between boards and joists to strengthen the bond. Tightening up any loose boards should eliminate the squeak.
Lubricate the Subfloor and Joists
Often just lubricating the subfloor and floor joists is enough to stop the friction that causes the noise. Here’s how:
- Lift up any carpet or flooring in the problem area and locate the floor joists.
- Use a caulking gun to apply construction adhesive onto the subfloor and undersides of the floor joists. Construction adhesive contains lubricants that will stop the squeaking.
- Alternatively, you can spread talcum powder, mineral spirits, or graphite powder in the problem area. These lubricants will allow the boards to slide without squeaking.
- Replace the flooring or carpet when finished.
Add Screws to Reinforce the Joists
For more stubborn squeaks, screw shanks offer an easy solution. Simply drive screws at an angle through the subfloor and into the floor joists. This strengthens the connection between the joists and subfloor, stopping any movement that causes noise.
Follow these steps for adding screw shanks:
- Pre-drill holes at 45 degree angles along the problem joist. Space holes every 8 to 12 inches.
- Partially drive 3-inch deck screws into the pre-drilled holes. Do not fully tighten.
- Walk on the floor to locate any remaining squeaks. Fully sink screws into those spots to pull the subfloor snugly against the joist.
Refasten Joists with Shims
If there is too much space between the subfloor and joists, shims can create a tighter fit and eliminate squeaks.
- Cut shims out of wooden wedges or cedar shingles to match the depth between the subfloor and joists.
- Pre-drill holes and drive screws halfway into the subfloor and joist.
- Place shims into the gap and tap them tight with a hammer.
- Fully drive screws through the shims to sandwich them securely in place.
How to Fix Squeaky Stairs
Staircases can also develop annoying squeaks over time. Here are some tips for fixing noisy stairs:
- Tighten loose balusters and railing bolts that may be rubbing and causing noise.
- Lubricate squeaky joints on stair treads with powdered graphite or talcum powder.
- Secure loose stair treads by driving wood screws diagonally through the tread and into the frame.
- Use shims to tighten gaps between stair stringers and treads.
- Glue down any cracking laminate on stairs causing noise. Fill gaps with wood putty.
Preventing Future Squeaks
To help prevent your floors from squeaking again in the future:
- Keep floor humidity levels between 30-50% year-round.
- Install a foam or rubber underlayment beneath new flooring.
- Use construction adhesive when installing new floors to create a strong, quiet bond.
- Choose thicker, stiffer flooring materials that are less prone to squeaking.
- Add more support beneath floors by sistering additional joists or decreasing joist spacing.
With some basic DIY methods, you can successfully stop annoying floor and stair squeaks in your home. Target the source of the noise, refasten loose boards and joints, and lubricate problem areas to restore peace and quiet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fixing Squeaky Floors
What are the main causes of a squeaky floor?
The most common causes of a squeaky floor are loose floorboards, gaps between boards, insufficient nailing, worn out or loose joists, and low humidity levels causing wood to shrink.
What areas of a house are most prone to squeaky floors?
High traffic areas like hallways, stairs, and doorways are most susceptible to developing squeaks over time. Kitchens and other rooms with moisture changes also commonly have squeaky floors.
What is the easiest DIY method to stop a squeaky floor?
The easiest solution is often to lubricate the subfloor and joists using talcum powder, graphite powder, or construction adhesive. This lubricates the rubbing surfaces and stops the squeak.
Should I use screws or nails to refasten a squeaky subfloor?
Screws are better for stopping squeaks because they pull the flooring tighter to the subfloor than nails. Nails can loosen over time, while screws provide a stronger, more lasting connection.
How do I find the exact spot that is causing my floor to squeak?
Walk around the squeaky area while pushing down with your foot until you isolate the exact spot that makes the noise. Also listen for where the squeak sounds the loudest. Mark the spot with tape.
Conclusion
Squeaky floors can be an annoyance, but are usually fairly simple to remedy on your own. With some basic tools and supplies, you can isolate the source of the noise and try solutions like resecuring loose boards, lubricating joints, adding screws or shims, or adjusting humidity levels. Stopping floor squeaks improves comfort in your home and prevents noisy distractions.