How to Fix Floor Creaks on the Second Floor

If your second-story floors creak and squeak under the weight of walking and make your house sound like its haunted, you aren't alone. This is a common condition that occurs when the wood joists dry and pull away from the sub floor. Movement causes the wood sections to shift and rub against each, often resulting in the annoying squeaks. Although the fix is relatively simple on the main floor -- when access to the sub floor can be reached from the basement -- second story floors pose a bit of a problem.

Finishing nails or helix coil nails
Hammer
Wood putty

Instructions

- 1
  Listen carefully as someone walks over the floor to pinpoint the location of the creaking. If you notice more than one squeak, identify and mark the locations.
- 2
  Move furniture, scatter rugs or any temporary floor coverings in the area to expose the location of the squeak.
- 3
  Drive two helix coil nails or finishing nails through the flooring and sub flooring securing them into the joists below the floor. Nail them on a slight angle for best results. This prevents the nails from working their way out of the wood easily.
- 4
  Use a nail set smaller than the head of the nail to drive the head of the nail below the surface of the floor. Place the pointed end of the nail set against the head of the nail. Tap the nail set gently with a hammer until the head of the nail rests slightly below the surface of the floor.
- 5
  Fill the indentation left by the nail with wood putty in a color matching the flooring. Smooth the putty over the hole so it's flush with the surface of the floor. Allow it to dry completely before replacing your scatter rugs and furniture.

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