Why Do Floors Creak?

Hand-Nailed Floors

• Older homes sometimes feature hand-nailed hardwood floors with rough or crude nails holding each floorboard in place. Regular use of the floors causes a breakdown of those nails. As people walk across the floor, the nail loses its original hold and begins moving under the board. Without any pressure on the board, the nail slides up. When you apply pressure from walking or touching the board, the nail slides around and creates the creaking or squeaking sound.

Improper Installation

• Tile floors, linoleum and laminate require some type of grout or adhesive to hold the flooring materials in place. If you hear squeaks when walking across tiled floors, it may indicate a lack of grout under that tile. The squeaking occurs as the tile rubs across the flooring. Creaking heard under linoleum or laminate may indicate an air pocket underneath the flooring. If the original installer did not rub flat the flooring, then air was trapped underneath. The squeak occurs when you step on and press down the flooring and the air pushes out.

Subflooring Problems

• When your floors have space between the floor and the subfloor, then you likely hear creaks and squeaks. As you walk across the floor, the flooring moves down and rubs against the subfloor, which makes the noise. When you move away, the flooring moves back up. The problem occurs when the original materials, including nails or screws, slide away from the proper position. Even if you have carpeting over wood floors, you may hear noises as the wood boards move underneath the carpet. The problem also may occur as the wood expands and contracts, which changes its original shape and position.

Ductwork

• In newer homes, the location of ductwork may cause creaking sounds. When the contractor installs ductwork near the floors, including between the first and second story, moving across the floors causes a shift in the ductwork. Every time the metal moves in the floors, it results in a creaking or squeaking noise. The sound comes about as the flooring knocks against the metal.