What To Do About Squeaky Floors

Squeaky floors are very common, especially in older homes. Wood floors begin to squeak when boards loosen and rub against each other, or against the subfloor. There are two ways to stop the squeaking - lubricate between the two surfaces that are rubbing, or stop the movement of the wood.

To lubricate squeaky floors you can use liquid graphite, talcum powder, or a spray (like WD 40). You may not be able to access the joint well enough to apply the spray.

If not, you can applay the liquid or powder over the joint between the wood and brush it in. Then wipe away the excess.

Stopping the movement of the wood is usually a more permanent solution. If you have access to the underside of the floor (as in an unfinished basement), locate the squeak by having someone walk over the floor while you listen.

You might determine that the squeak is being caused by nails that rub against the joists. If this is the case, cut them shorter. You might discover that there are not enough nails to hold the boards still.

In this event, ask the person you had walking the floor to mark the spot (with something removable, like tape, or simply by leaving any loose article on the spot). Then add finish nails (those without heads) and counter sink them into the floor.

Pre-drill the holes so that the wood doesn't split. You can then fill the countersunk holes with wood putty. This is available is several colors, one of which should be close enough to your floor to make the holes less noticable.

Another cause of squeaky floors could be a gap between the joists and the subfloor. Simply wedge a shingle, or other material, into the opening, and glue it in place.

If this doesn't solve the problem, you'll have to buy a brace that fits around the joist and screws to the underside of the floor.

This might be referred to as a fender (depending on where you live). Assuming you have 3/4" thick subfloors and 3/4" floor boards (typical), make sure you use 1 1/4" screws - any longer and they might pop through the surface of the floor. The screws will pull the joist tight to the subfloor.

In the event that you can't find the braces, you can use 2" by 2" by 18" long pieces of lumber as nailers. These would first be screwed along the top edge of the joist (on both sides), and then screwed upwards, pulling the subfloor tight against the joist.

First adding glue to the surfaces that will be touching each other is highly recommended. (This solution works on squeaky stairs as well).

This type of repair is always easier if you pre-drill the screw holes with a power drill. Just be careful not to go through the surface of the floor.

If the house is so old that the joists are sagging, you can add support and strengthen the floor by adding a "bridge". This should be a 2" thick piece of lumber, at least 10" high, that fits between 2 joists, and gets screwed to them through the sides of the joists. Use 3" long screws for this (screws hold better than nails).

There is one circumstance when repairing squeaky floors is a little tricky. If you don't have access underneath because you have a finished ceiling in your basement, and you have carpeting over the wood floor, it becomes a "touchy" job.

You will have to slit the rug several times where you identify the squeak, and locate the adjacent joist. These slits will prevent the rug fiber from getting wound up around the drill bit.

Then use trim screws (they have very small heads) to secure the floor to the joists, pre-drilling each hole. The screws should be drilled into the joists at angles - in a V pattern - in order to keep them from lifting in the future.

Once you finish with the screws, apply a little glue beneath the carpet and put a weight over the spot for 24 hours. This will secure the carpet and will prevent the slits from unraveling any further.

Of course, if you ever want to remove the carpet and have the wood floors showing, you will then have the added headache of removing the dried glue from the wood.

If you've tried all of these methods and still can't get rid of the squeaky floors, there's only one thing left to do - turn the music up louder so you can't hear the squeaking.

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