How To Fix A Squeaky Wooden Floor

There are no miracle cures for squeaky wooden floors.This isbecause squeaks are the result of mechanical problems and they will only yield to mechanical fixes but only if you can get to the problem! You have the unenviable task of dealing with finished ceilings, ductwork, carpeting, subfloors, and even possible construction defects, all standing in the way of a serenely quiet floor. Squeaks are caused by movement in wood seams between sheets of subflooring, friction noise in tongue and groove or shiplap flooring, and fingernails-on-blackboard rubbing against loosened nails. Stop the movement and you stop squeak. Squeaky floors are very common in older homes. Wood floors squeak when something—usually a board—works loose and rubs against another board or against the subfloor. You can de-squeak the floor by either lubricating between surfaces that rub to reduce the friction or by stopping the movement altogether. Traditional hardwood strip flooring is most susceptible to result in squeaks, but all types of flooring can make annoying noises. The good news is that it's easy to silence nearly any squeak in a matter of minutes -- if you know a few tricks. To help you in this, read the article below for tips on fixing a squeaky floor.

Tips On Fixing A Squeaky Floor

First, try to lubricate the wooden floorboards. Though it is not always effective, lubricating will save you for the short term. You can do this by putting a little liquid graphite or talcum powder between the floorboards and then clean the surface.
To stop the movement of the floor boards, determine from which place the squeaking is coming from.
One reason of squeaking can be because the nails have missed the floor joists and so they rub against the joists causing the squeak. So, find out these types of nails and cut them with a pair of cutters.
Now, check if the subfloor is nailed down with enough nails. If you find a gap between a joist and subflooring, then drive a glue coated shingle between them tightly so that it stops the squeak.
Another method is to drive a screw through the subfloor and into the underside of the surface flooring.
You can also nail a solid block of wood between the joists. This can also strengthen the support to the subflooring, which can eliminate the squeaking.
Squeaks can also result from inadequate bridging between the joists. So nail any loose planks and install a reinforcing piece as a bridge against the subfloor.
If you can get below the floor then you can tighten the finish flooring if they do not fit properly. Drill a few holes through the subfloor but not through the finish floor. Now, using a nozzle, force glue through the hole into the space between the subfloor and the finish floor. Drive screws from the subfloor to the finish floor.
If you can get under the floor, then squirt the glue into the cracks between the boards and work it in with a putty knife.
A very effective method is to rearrange the furniture in the room. Find the area of the squeak and place the legs of the heavy furniture like the sofa on the squeaking area. The weight of the furniture presses the floorboards down and so eliminates the gaps.
You can also tap the floorboards all over the room. In this way, you will push the floorboards back on the subfloor. To do this wrap a 2 x 4 board with a scrap of carpet. Place it at right angles to the floorboards and tap the board sharply with a hammer to reset the loose boards.

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