There are a few ways to fix creaky floors. Firstly, apply a dry lubricant to the creaky area. Next, you can try inserting a shim or driving a screw through the bottom of the floorboard. Lastly, you can use construction adhesive.
Applying dry lubricant to creaky floors
Using talcum powder, baby powder, or soapstone as a dry lubricant can help to ease the friction that causes creaky floors. These products can be sprinkled on the boards and walked over, allowing the lubrication to penetrate the crack. This method will stop the noise and is odorless and non-toxic.
Solid wood floors are more likely to creak, especially in the winter, because they are more sensitive to temperature changes. In addition, older wooden floors often were not laid with an underlay, making them even more susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. To remove creaky floors during the cold months, apply dry lubricant to the floorboards.
When applying dry lubricant to creaky floors, it’s important to ensure that the lubricant is safe for your wooden floors. Unfortunately, WD-40 is not considered a wood-safe lubricant and can leave stains on your floors. Instead, you can use powdered graphite, a lubricant that can prevent moisture from forming in wood joints.
Driving screws through the bottom of the floorboard
The first step in fixing creaky floors is to identify the exact location of the problem. This way, you can determine the best way to proceed. If the floorboards are finished, you might not have access to the floor joists or subfloor. However, if you have access to these, you can drill the floorboards with screws.
Before you start driving screws through the bottom of the floorboard, you should mark the spot where you want to drive them with masking tape. Then, space the screws about six inches apart along the floorboard. Once you’ve located the location, you can use a special screwdriver to drive screws through the floorboards. Make sure you set the head of the screws flush with the subfloor, as sunk screws can break through the finished floor surface.
You can also try to drill a hole in the bottom of the floorboard using a joist drill bit. Be sure to use a small masonry screw, as longer screws may cause electrical and plumbing problems. You can also use a stud sensor to help you locate the joist.
Inserting a shim
A common solution to creaky floors is inserting a shim under the floor joists. This shim will fill the gap and prevent floor movement. It often solves the problem of creaky floors, but you must use caution. Avoid hammering in the shim or driving it too far.
Before inserting a shim to fix creaking floors, ensure the floor joists are securely fastened. Then, use painter’s tape to mark their location. After this, you should glue the shim, but don’t force it into place. Sometimes, you may have to insert several shims to fix the problem.
If shims are not working, consider applying construction adhesive to close the gap between the subfloor and joists. It helps hold the wood together, stopping the squeaking without pressure. It should be applied on both sides of the joists. If the subfloor is uneven, you can use a caulk gun to fill in the gaps.
Using construction adhesive
If you have a creaky floor, you probably want to try using construction adhesive to stop the noise. The adhesive can prevent the floor from squeaking by filling in the gaps. You can use a caulking gun to force the adhesive into the gaps on both sides of the joists.
Make sure that you wear a respirator when applying construction adhesive. Before using the adhesive, you should clean the metal parts. Once done, you should apply adhesive to the surface behind mounting plates and the joint between the joist and the subfloor. Once the adhesive is dry, you can then install screws. To install screws, use a squeak silencer tool that fits into an electric drill.
WD-40 can also be used to repair a creaky floor. Using a terry cloth or your body weight, work WD-40 into the surface of the joist. Then, wipe off the excess with mineral spirits. The WD-40 will dissipate over time.
