How to Fix Squeaking Wood Floors on Concrete That Are Glued Down

Direct your helper to slowly walk over the surface of the wood floor. Every time the floor plank squeaks when it is stepped on, mark it with masking tape. Continue this process until you cover the entire floor.

Slide the tip of a putty knife into the gap between a marked wood flooring board and an adjacent board. Push the knife down until you reach the surface of the concrete subfloor. Work carefully so you do not scratch or chip the side or edge of the floor plank.

Maintain a firm grip on the putty knife’s handle as you gently twist it to the side to achieve a 1/8-inch gap between the two adjacent floor planks. Ask your helper to quickly check the width of the gap with a piece of scrap spacer lumber strip precut to 1/8 inch. If required, twist the knife more to widen the gap. Work carefully when twisting the knife to avoid creating a wider gap than required; otherwise, the wood plank could pop out of the floor.

Position the tip of a tube of carpenter’s adhesive into the gap. Squeeze a small amount of adhesive onto the subfloor. Hold the twisted putty knife for 30 seconds to allow the glue to seep underneath the squeaking floor board. Slowly remove the knife from between the boards.

Press the board down against the concrete subfloor so it adheres to the fresh adhesive. Wipe the surface of the floor plank with a moist rag or sponge to remove any glue that seeps through the gap between the planks. Also remove the masking tape from the surface of the plank.

Place heavy books or a weighty object over the area to hold the boards down until the glue dries. Read the label instructions beforehand for the specified time it takes for the adhesive to dry. Continue this process to fix the other squeaking planks that you have marked on the floor.