While squeaking and creaking floorboards can let you know who’s roaming about the house in the middle of the night, the constant noises of squeaky floors can become irritating very quickly. So, if your footsteps are starting sound more like a family of mice than a shuffle across a solid wood floor, it’s maybe time to fix it.
What Can Cause Squeaky Floors?
Squeaky floorboards can occur for a range of reasons which can vary depending on the type of flooring you own. This guide will provide a broad overview of the key causes as well as how to fix squeaky floors. If you need more detail, we have posts on solving squeaks and creaks in specific floorboards as well, which we will link to throughout. Let’s jump in.
1. Poorly Installed Sub-Floor
One of the most common reasons for squeaky floorboards is a poorly installed sub-floor. This is the section of the flooring that is attached directly to the joists. If this isn’t lined up flush with the joists, it can become unbalanced. This causes spaces between the joist and the sub-floor and results in subtle squeaks. The reason this can occur is usually down to poor installation, so make sure you know exactly what you’re doing before nailing down the sub-floor; if in doubt, hire a professional.
The Quick Fix…
If the sub-floor is the core issue, you’re going to have to get access to it either through lifting up the flooring or through going under the floor into the crawl space. The most common way is to lift the flooring where the squeak is occurring and identify if the sub-flooring requires a few more nails/needs evening out.
Alternatively, you can go under the flooring and apply wedges into any noticeable gaps. In some cases, joists can shrink, warp, or twist, resulting in rather large gaps under the sub-floor. In this instance, place a 2x4 alongside the warped joint for added support.
2. Flooring isn’t Acclimatised
Every building has its own temperature and moisture levels and it’s important to allow your new wooden flooring to acclimatise to the environment before installation. If you don’t allow your wooden floor to properly adjust to the change in temperature, it can expand or shrink after installation. Again, this will result in annoying squeaks and creaks. Additionally, unacclimated flooring can result in a plethora of other issues, such as cracking and splitting.
The Quick Fix….
If you have laid flooring that has not been acclimatised to the environment of your home and, as a result, the flooring is squeaking, you may need to buy new flooring. In some instances, the existing flooring can be saved. If expansion is the issue, take the flooring near the walls and cut it down until it fits perfectly into the gap. This also creates a gap for the wood to expand and breathe.
Unfortunately, in most cases, it is better to just purchase new flooring and allow it to sit out in the room for 48 hours. This will allow it to adjust to the climate of the room and won’t expand or shrink once installed. Either way, we’d recommend getting an expert in to take a look. They will be able to advise you on the cheapest way forward. What you pay for the advice will often be less than replacing the whole floor.
3. Insufficient Underlay
The third reason for squeaky floors is a lack of underlay between the flooring and sub-floor. When this is the case, the two floors are more than likely rubbing against each other when you walk over them. This causes friction resulting in squeaks and creaks.
The Quick Fix…
Adding more underlay is quite easy for some flooring, particularly engineered and laminate. Simply remove the flooring and add more underlay by tapping it together. Once the underlay is in situ, you can place the flooring back on top.
4. Excessive Moisture
If you have solid wood flooring and are getting squeaks when you walk on it, your issue may be the result of excessive moisture. This isn’t too much of a problem in regard to laminate or engineered wood, as they tend to absorb less liquid. With solid wood, however, liquids are absorbed more, and this can result in shrinking and expanding flooring. Liquids can be absorbed through spillages but can also occur through drastic climate changes.
Related: How to Stop Solid Wood Flooring From Squeaking
The Quick Fix…
If your flooring has already been exposed to excessive moisture it can be a difficult problem to remedy. If the flooring has swelled, you can attempt to cut the wood down on the edges of the room so the wood fits snug back in place. However, in most cases, it is advised that you simply purchase new flooring.
5. Loose Nails
In the case of solid hardwood, squeaking can occur if there are loose nails present in the flooring. Loose nails can occur for a range of reasons, the simplest being through constant use. As the nails loosen, gaps begin to appear between the flooring and sub-floor, creating squeaks. Fortunately, the solution is very simple.
The Quick Fix…
If the problem is loose nails, simply hammer some more in! Remove the old nails with a hammer and insert new ones in their place.
Our Flooring Calculator
If your floor squeaking continues and you are interested in a new floor covering, when you browse any type of flooring at Factory Direct Flooring Ltd, each product has a flooring calculator on the page. Simply enter the surface area in either metres or feet squared and our My Project flooring calculator will tell you how many packs you’ll need and how much it will cost you.
By simply measuring your room and entering your dimensions, we will provide you with an instant price which will show on every type of flooring you browse across our website. You can either input the total coverage or your width and length measurements, in meters or feet. You can even save your measurements room by room to make your shopping experience stress-free.
It also offers to add an extra 10% for wastage. While this may cost a little bit more, we highly recommend adding it just in case there are mishaps during the installation process. Enjoy the My Project flooring calculator below:
We hope this guide helps you tackle those pecky squeaks! If you have any questions or need any additional help, feel free to reach out on 0330 100 00 15.
In horror films, a squeaky floor usually indicates the presence of paranormal activities but in real life when your floor squeaks it’s usually because of some humdrum, easily fixable problem. However, not all squeaks are innocuous and it’s important to be aware of when you should worry about squeaky floors.
Together, we will explore normal and problematic causes of squeaky, how to tell when something is amiss, and how squeaky floors can cause problems, even if the squeaks are considered to be normal.
It is relatively normal for wooden floors and subfloors to squeak. But squeaky floors can indicate an issue if the squeak is accompanied by a spongy feeling, occurs in very old or very new houses, the house is in seismically active areas, or a loud squeak suddenly develops.
Floors Can Squeak
Sometimes it is normal for floors to squeak because of movement. As the name suggests, movement means that when you step on your floor, there’s friction on the floorboard, which causes the floor to squeak and creak.
When the floor squeaks, it means the floorboard is loose and it is brushing against another board, nail, or a joist. There are various factors responsible for the squeaking of the floor. Some are normal and some you should take very seriously.
Just like you alter your lifestyle choices depending on the season, some floors squeak due to the change in the season. And, that’s normal. Woods contract and expand depending on the season and this is usually unavoidable.
You will face weather-related problems especially if your floor is made of solid wood. Engineered wood floors are made to be weather-resistant, hence, they survive the seasonal wear and tear. During winter, your wood floors will shrink and the summer will see them expanding.
High levels of moisture and humidity cause hardwood floors to warp, which makes them shrink or expand. The contraction and expansion make the floorboard loose and cause tension on the fastener. So, whenever you walk on the floor, your floor squeaks.
Even though it is normal, too much expansion and contraction can make your floor loose enough to detach it from the subfloor. The best remedy for this is opting for a weatherproof seal and reattaching your flooring using some good screws.
If the squeaks are becoming annoying to you and your family, but because there is no structural problem, you can’t spare the money to mend them, then you can consider laying carpets and rugs down to muffle the sounds and spread the pressure of each footfall over a larger surface area.
Squeaking Can Indicate Issues
Your floor squeaking can actually be quite similar to you shrieking in pain. A squeaking and creaking floor indicate issues that must be fixed for the well-being of your home. And the constant squeaking can get very frustrating for you and all the other residents.
So, what exactly are the probable issues that your floor can have when it squeaks? Squeaking happens when the floorboard is loose. The reason for this is what you need to find out and remedy.
Excessive Space in the Subfloor
The foundation underneath the flooring is called the subfloor. You could have any kind of flooring but subfloors are usually made of wood. Hardwood, laminate, tiles, carpeting, etc., are installed on top of a wooden subfloor.
If your subfloor has problems then your floor will make noise. Commonly, subfloors mostly have problems with excessive space. While installing, if there’s a gap between the subfloor and the joist then when applied pressure your floor will squeak.
Many factors contribute to the unnecessary space between the subfloor and the joist. If the subfloor is not installed at the center of the joists or the top of the joists is not even, then this will cause a gap and will make the floor squeak whenever someone walks over that area.
The reason why this can be a problem is that pressure can be placed on the wrong parts of the floor, the parts that were not meant to hold any significant weight. These can then crack or break completely, compromising the integrity of the floor and endangering those who walk on it.
Incorrect Fasteners Used
Sometimes the floor squeaking is due to the usage of wrong nails for securing the floor to the joists. This leads to the floorboard being loose and prone to movement. Sometimes, the nails holding the sheathing in place become loose due to a cracked or damaged joist.
If your floors are not actually secured, then they can slip and move, which makes it dangerous to walk over. Loose nails and screws can also work their way to the top surface of the floor and cut into bare feet and paws.
Floor is Not Level or Supported
During construction, if workers have left debris and residues on the subfloor then this will cause a part of your floor to be uneven and hanging in the air. This will cause your floor to squeak every time you walk on it.
As you can imagine, if parts of your floor are not actually supported, or are unevenly supported, then this can also put undue pressure on portions of the floor, ultimately resulting in breakages.
Materials are Subpar
If your subfloor is of bad quality then chances are it will easily get damaged due to excess rain or humidity. This is why you should not skimp on the bones of the house. Pressure-treated wood is ideal for interior framing as it is resistant to moisture, which causes squeaky floors.
All the problems mentioned are somewhat related to bad quality workmanship. Most of these problems can be easily avoided if you only hire certified experts for installing your floors.
Termites Have Infested the Floor
Sometimes, the construction of the floor is done to a high standard, the effects of humidity are guarded against and minimized through careful environmental control, the very best materials and fasteners are used, and yet, the floor still squeaks. Why? Termites!
Termites eat away at the wood of the flooring, particularly the softer woods of the subfloor. This creates weak points that squeak when weight is applied to them.
As squeaking floors can be a sign of something significant, as a buyer it is prudent to investigate thoroughly before making an offer. As a seller, it is in your best interests to at least have the squeak investigated by a certified professional.
Normal Squeak or Ominous Squeak?
As mentioned in the previous section, your floor could squeak because of various reasons, which can easily be fixed. So, when should you really be concerned?
Spongy Feeling is an Issue
Sometimes squeaking is accompanied by a spongy or bouncy feeling to the wood that might indicate that they are rotting and therefore weak.
On the ground and basement floors, there is a high chance that this moisture is coming from the foundation. When you have a problem with your foundation, then along with uneven floors or soft spots on the floor, other problems like cracks in tiling, bulging walls, or warped window or door frames might also be there.
Age of the House Can be an Indication
Finding squeaky floors is natural in very old houses as over time the floorboard dries up and there is a shift or settlement in the foundation. This usually happens when the soil shifts underneath causing the foundation to move. However, if your house is very old, then it would be worthwhile getting someone in to look at them.
If you have a new build and your floors are squeaking, then it may indicate an issue as new houses should not have squeaky floors. New floors do need time to settle in but make sure your contractor is aware of the issue and is prepared to take steps if the squeaking does not resolve itself.
Do You Live in a Seismically Active Area?
When there is movement in the foundation of your house, the subfloor, on which the floor is placed, gets affected. This causes your floor to squeak. Over time, the movement or shift in the foundation increases causing damage to the subfloor and resulting in floors squeaking.
If you live in an area that experiences quite a lot of tectonic activity, then squeaks should be investigated.
Sudden and Noticeable Squeaks Can Indicate an Issue
If you step on a portion of your floor and you hear a loud squeak where yesterday there was none, then this can indicate that there is something structurally wrong and you should investigate. Normal squeaks tend to develop slowly over time.
Other Signs of Termites
Squeaking is not a guaranteed sign of termites, but you are unlikely to have termites in your floor and not hear squeaking. As such, any squeaks should be checked out for more entomological causes. This does not have to involve a professional, however. There are several signs that you can look out for. I have detailed these in Are Squeaky Floors a Sign of Termites.
Seasonal Squeaks Not Likely to Point to Problem
If your floor squeaks during the rainy season but is quiet for the rest of the year, then this means that your floors are only responding to the increased humidity in the area.
There are a few ways of making sure that your floor doesn’t squeak at all in response to the weather. While putting the floor, ensure that only good quality material is used and the installation is done by certified professionals. You can take measures so that your floor is resistant to seasonal wear and tear.
If the squeaking and creaking of the floor continue for a long time, then you must find the cause and get it fixed.
Use the above information along with that provided in Buying a House With Squeaky Floors (Things to look out for) to help guide you in purchasing a squeaky house.
Squeaky Floor Can Make Neighbors Upset
Even if the squeak is not caused by a problem, it can, itself, cause issues for you and your neighbors. If you have lived underneath someone whose floor squeaks then you would know why this is bound to happen.
You are annoyed by the floorboard noise and so is your neighbor. The first few times your neighbor will tell you politely but if nothing is done, then the situation might get ugly. They might complain to the HOA and then you will be in lots of trouble.
You and your family members might be tiptoeing, or rather walking toe-to-heel across the floor and taking other measures to walk quietly in order to avoid making the floor squeak but that can’t be a permanent solution.
If the HOA gets involved then you will be forced to fix your floors. So, it’s always better to do it when you hear the first squeak. Also, if you get it repaired before more damage is done then it might be cheaper.
Sources
//albuquerque.floorcoveringsinternational.com/articles/reasons-for-squeaky-floors/
//www.innerspaceflooring.co.uk/blog/how-to-fix-creaking-floorboards
//www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/how-to-fix-squeaky-floors/
//www.thisoldhouse.com/flooring/21015195/how-to-fix-squeaky-floors
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