# How to Fix a Creaky Floor Caused From Shrinking Wood
Low humidity levels in homes can cause the layers of a floor -- the joists, the subflooring and the flooring itself -- to shrink and rub together, causing annoying creaking noise. The goal is to eliminate the spaces between the layers. Once you have fixed this problem, make sure your house’s humidity is at a level sufficient to prevent the wood layers from shrinking again. The humidity should be maintained around 40 percent by using a humidifier.
Things You'll Need
- Stud finder
- Drill
- Screws
- Wood putty
- Sandpaper
- Stain
- Rag
Instructions
-
-
1
Walk across the floor to locate a creaking spot. Use a stud finder to determine the location of the nearest joist, which is the cross piece of lumber to which the floor is attached. Pull up any carpeting in the area.
-
2
Insert a screw through the flooring to the joist, using the drill to insert the screw.
-
3
Cover the screw with wood putty and allow it to dry for three hours.
-
4
Sand the dry wood putty smooth. Stain the putty to match the flooring, applying the stain evenly with a rag. Repeat all steps in each creaking floor spot.
-
1
Floor Repairs
- How to Fix a Squeeky Bamboo Floor
- How to Fix Creaky Floors Upstairs
- How to Fix Squeaky Wood on Concrete Floors
- How to Fix Scratches on a Brazillian Cherry Wood Floor
- How to Fix Old Creaking Stairs or Floorboards
- How to Fix a Burnt Wood Floor
- How to Remove Engineered Wood From a Wood Subfloor
- How to Fix a Scraped Wood Floor
- How to Fix Minor Scratches on a Laminate Wood Floor
- How to Fix Dents & Scoots on a Wood Floor
- How to Protect a Floor From Casters
- How to Fix a Burned Wood Floor From an Alcohol Fire
