How to Fix Popping Floors

Popping sounds often occur as hardwood floors age and are the result of warping or adhesive that loosens from the subfloor. As you walk on the boards, they flex, causing the irritating pop. Repairing the popping sounds requires that you insert adhesive under the board to glue it in place. Once dry, the adhesive prevents the board from moving when you step on it. The repair process is not complex, but can be a bit tricky.

Masking tape
Drill
1/16-inch drill bit
Syringe
Wood glue
Cup
Cloth
Damp sponge
Heavy object
Nail set (optional)
Hammer (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Walk over the floor and place a piece of masking tape on all of the locations that pop when you step on them.
- 2
  Insert a 1/16-inch drill bit into a drill and place the drill bit on the board that pops. Position the bit 1/2 inch from the side of the board and angle it toward the board next to it. Drill down approximately 1/4 inch until you break through the floor board.
- 3
  Open a bottle of wood glue and remove the top. If desired, you may pour the wood glue into a cup for easier access. Insert a syringe into the wood glue and suck it up by pulling up on the plunger until the syringe is full.
- 4
  Wipe the tip of the syringe on a cloth and then insert it into the hole you drilled. Push down on the plunger to squeeze the wood glue under the board. Keep pushing the plunger until you see the glue begin to ooze up out of the sides of the floor boards.
- 5
  Remove the syringe and wipe the top of the floor boards with a damp sponge to remove the excess glue.
- 6
  Place a heavy object on top of the floor boards to hold them down for at least 24 hours. Avoid walking in the repaired area during this time.

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