How to Fix Squeaky Hardwood Floors: A Quick Guide
Squeaky floorboards are more than an annoyance—they are a sign of movement. Whether caused by temperature shifts or structural gaps, silencing them is easier than you think. Here is how to identify and fix the noise.
The Seasonal Challenge
Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts. In winter, dry air causes planks to shrink, creating gaps that lead to rubbing and squeaking.
The Fix: Maintain a stable home humidity level between 40% and 60%. Often, these squeaks resolve themselves when the seasons change.
Joist and Subfloor Issues
The “foundation” of your floor is often the culprit.
Joists: If the horizontal support beams (joists) warp or pull away from the subfloor, the boards above will move and squeak.
Subfloor: An uneven or water-damaged subfloor creates empty pockets. When you walk over these gaps, the wood flexes and makes noise.
How to Silence the Noise
Once you pinpoint the source of the movement, use these common methods to stabilize your floor:
Shim Installation: If you have access from below, slide a thin wooden shim into the gap between the joist and subfloor with carpenter’s glue.
Construction Adhesive: For longer gaps, use a caulking gun to apply heavy-duty adhesive between the joists and the subfloor.
Stabilizing Joists: If a joist is warped, “sister” it by securing a new plank alongside it, or install bridging blocks between two joists to stop lateral movement.
Screwing from Below: Use short screws to pull the subfloor and hardwood together tightly. Be careful not to let the screw point break through the finished surface!
Screwing from Above: If you can’t reach the subfloor from below, use a countersunk screw through the top of the floorboard. Hide the hole with a matching wood filler or scratch concealer.
Professional Hardwood Solutions
At Redeemed Flooring, we know that a perfect floor starts with a perfect installation. As a Factory Direct Retailer, we offer premium hardwood at lower prices than any other retailer. Our expert team has 15+ years of experience in preventing and fixing flooring issues.
Need a quiet, beautiful floor? Contact us at hello@redeemedflooring.com.