Tricks to Stop Wood Floors From Squeaking

Causes of Wood Floor Squeaks

• Wood floors can develop squeaks from a number of causes. The flooring itself may be installed poorly, with inadequate fastening to the floor joists. Wood planks may rub against loosened nails or against each other, causing this type of annoying noise. Subflooring may have worked loose over time. Seasonal shifting can also cause creaking of the materials. You should keep indoor humidity levels between 40 to 60 percent, according to the Wood Floor Doctor website. All of these conditions can cause movement between construction materials, which causes the squeaks and creaks.

Talcum Powder

• One of the simplest methods of stopping a floor creak is to apply a small amount of talcum powder to the area. The powder acts as a dry lubricant that allows the pieces of wood to slide against each other soundlessly. Although only a temporary measure, talcum powder can ease the sliding and slipping of the wood and metal materials that create the annoying sounds.

Powdered Graphite

• Powdered graphite is another good lubricant for use in stopping the creaks that occur in wood flooring. Graphite, the same material used in pencils but with a slightly different composition, works by creating more slippage between the construction materials. The graphite is applied to the crevices between the wood planks in spots where the squeaking occurs. Powdered graphite is available at hardware and home improvement stores, as well as at art supply stores.

Securing Wood Floors

• Mechanical repairs generally involve nailing or screwing the loose wood back onto a stable structure such as the floor joist. This repair can be done from under the flooring — if the squeak is on the ground level above a basement — by locating the squeak above and then nailing it securely to the closest joist to prevent the movement of the materials. Repair of squeaking wood flooring can also be done from above — that is, by locating the loose flooring and nailing it securely to the subfloor. Screws can also be used to firmly hold the wood floor to the subfloor or the nearest joist. Often, a pilot hole is drilled, smaller than the size of the nail or screw, to allow the fastener to get a solid hold on the wood materials, according to home improvement expert Bob Johanson of the How to Hardwood Floors site. You can hide the head of the fastener with wood putty.