How to Fix a Squeaking Floor

There is an annoying problem found in many homes; squeaking floors. It is common knowledge that older homes can have floors that creak and squeak when walked upon, but this problem can also be found in many newer homes. There are several reasons why a floor makes noise when walked upon, and figuring out how to resolve the problem has a lot to do with the building construction style and what materials were used during construction.

Floor structures in older homes may have been built in a way that would not meet current building standards. Sometimes, floor components, such as joists and floor boards were undersized, or were spanned too far without adequate support when the home was originally constructed. This is why many older homes have sagging or uneven floors. This is usually caused over time as the wood structure settles. When this happens, gaps can form between floor structure components, and as weight is transferred across the floor as someone walks on it, the floor components can move and shift, causing squeaks. In the case of older homes, resolving severe squeaking may require a bit more work than in a newer home, since floors may need to be jacked up and additional supports added to ensure proper structural reinforcement. These types of projects usually require services of a licensed professional, and in many cases will also require analysis and design by a structural engineer.

Over time, builders and structural engineers have developed better building practices to help prevent structural sagging and settling, but floor squeaks can still occur. One major cause of floor squeaking is due to the shrinkage of building materials as they dry. When a home is constructed, the type of wood used, and moisture content of the wood can play a large role in whether the floors might squeak over time. If the moisture content of the wood framing is too high, then gaps can form between floor structure components as the wood dries and shrinks. There are many ways to avoid this, such as making sure that the moisture content of the installed wood is below a certain percentage, and also using glues or foams specifically designed to adhere floor structure components together during construction. Unfortunately, some builders may forego these building techniques to save money, and in those cases newer homes may develop squeaking floors in as little as 1 – 2 years. However, even homes that have been constructed using best building practices can end up with floor squeaks.

In some cases, repairing a squeaking floor will require removal of the floor covering in order to expose the sub-floor below. Once the sub-floor is exposed, additional screws can be installed in problem areas to eliminate the squeaks. In some cases, when the floor structure is accessible from an unfinished basement or crawlspace, repairs can be made underneath from those areas, and clamps, shims or bracing can be added to secure the floor structure pieces. If you’re lucky, floor squeaking might just be caused by movement between the finished flooring components, and using a lubricating material such as baby powder can possibly resolve the issue.

Check out the video below to learn more about how to fix a squeaking floor.