There it is again – a loud squeak every time someone walks down the hall. This may be a good sound for parents hearing their kids, but it’s really annoying at 3 a.m. when someone’s just making a trip to the bathroom or kitchen. Floor squeaks are caused by natural shrinkage of wood due to changes in moisture content. As the wood dries, it shrinks, and nails can loosen. When you step on the floor, the wood moves and rubs against the fasteners. Squeak! Many options exist to correct floor squeaks. Often you can work from below to add (or “sister”) strips of framing wood to the existing joist. Use construction adhesive and screws to secure the strip of framing to the joist and the sub-floor. The construction adhesive is the key – it bonds to all surfaces and will not shrink as it cures. You can also add a thin wood shim to gaps between the floor joists and the sub-floor. Again, use construction adhesive. Gently tap the shims into the gap. Don’t pound the shims into the gap because this may widen it and make the problem worse.
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9/1/2024 10:31:06 pm
If you have a squeaky floor, a simple fix might be to sprinkle baby powder or talcum powder between the floorboards to reduce friction. Another effective solution is to secure loose floorboards with finishing nails or screws to stop the movement causing the noise. For a more permanent fix, consider using a lubricant like WD-40 or installing adhesive shims under the floorboards to stabilize them.
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