The sound of creaking floorboards is enough to drive someone mad. But it gets even more frustrating when the floorboards are under the carpet, as fixing the issues becomes harder than necessary. With this problem occurring in historic homes and new builds, getting the greatest relaxation at home is only possible after you’ve solved this squeaky issue.
Unfortunately, figuring out what’s causing your floorboards to squeak under the carpet isn’t always simple. This is because there are actually several common causes, ranging from the age of the floorboards to structural issues under your house. But as pulling up the carpet only adds to the drama, fixing the problem without major work is a top priority.
Fortunately, there are strategies you can explore to stop floorboards from creaking under your carpet. With our expert team specialising in this exact job, we have what it takes to guide you through the process or complete the job to the highest possible standard. Read on to rid your home of annoying squeaks and creaks.
Pinpoint Your Floor’s Creaks
Before you can address your creaking floorboards, you must ensure you identify the precise problem area. When your floorboards are hidden beneath the carpet, this job might not be as simple as you’d hoped. However, taking the time to understand your floor and where the issue might have emerged means you can apply a fix with greater confidence.
The main components of your floor include the top layer, the joists and the subfloor, with creaks most likely to occur in these major areas. However, you should also check for loose carpet, as this can lead to tedious squeaks too. While there are endless reasons why creaking occurs, water damage to your subfloor, loose nails and everyday wear contribute to problematic deterioration.
Ahead of taking more drastic measures, see if you can identify the location of the squeak by walking back and forth across the space. By listening carefully as you adjust the pressure of your feet, you should be able to get an accurate idea of where the issue occurs. Then, you can develop a plan that addresses the problem.
Find the Right Approach
After you’ve isolated the creaking sound to a specific area, you must choose the right method for fixing the groan coming through the carpet. Yet as it’s easy to get yourself in a bind, take the time to understand these techniques and how they might make sense for your situation.
Get a Squeak-No-More Kit
Fixing the creaks in your floorboards can be a challenge, but there is an off-the-shelf product designed for the job. Purpose-made to work with carpet, use this kit to drill through the surface into the joists below. This should tighten any components that have become loose over time.
Although finding the joists can be a challenge, using a magnetic or electronic stud finder makes it far simpler. Supported by the alignment tool and the provided screws, secure the floor to the joists and snap off the tops of the screws to benefit from a clean finish.
Plug the Gaps with Shims
If you have access to the subfloor either under the house or in a crawlspace, you might be able to plug any creaky gaps in your home using shims. Ranging from simple thin pieces of wood to engineered metal wedges, positioning these in the right spots helps prevent the floor from shifting.
For example, you might notice how your joists have sprung loose from the subfloor. Listen as someone walks across the problem area, then knock in a shim into place at this precise location. Continue this process until the creaks in your floor have disappeared.
Lift the Carpet
While lifting the carpet can be an annoying and involved process, it might not be too difficult if you only have to pull back a small section. In fact, if you have a creaky floor and can’t get to the source of the issue, perhaps peeling back the carpet is actually the easiest way to make a quick fix.
Once you can get a good look at the state of your floor, adding a shim, nailing together the components or even using talcum powder to lubricate the area becomes much easier. With a tool like a carpet knee kicker, you can stretch it back into place without too much issue.
Stop Creaky Floors Before They Occur
Achieving a DIY fix for floorboards that creak through carpet certainly isn’t impossible, but taking the steps to prevent noise from the get-go is much more satisfying. Whether you’re installing new floorboards or keeping tabs on old ones, completing the ideal installation and staying on top of maintenance is essential to success. Follow this advice to prevent your floors from developing annoying creaks.
Follow the Installation Instructions
If you’re preparing to install new floorboards in your home, making sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions is crucial to avoiding creaks in the future. Although every product is different, you should consider expansion gaps, the number of nails required to secure the boards and whether you’re using the ideal underlay.
Complete Frequent Inspections
Floorboards installed the right way can happily exist without developing creaks for decades. However, it’s always wise to conduct inspections every year or so. Although the subfloor and joists are often where problems occur, floorboards can also shift over time, leading to creaks as gaps emerge or boards rub together.
Chat with the Squeaky Floor Experts
Have your floorboards developed creaks? It doesn’t matter if they’re hidden under the carpet – the experts at Squeaky Floors have the skills to resolve your issues. Supported by a highly professional team, we’re the go-to specialist for homes in Melbourne and Sydney.
Founded in 2013, we have experience in every kind of squeaky floor imaginable and take immense pride in helping our customers achieve a peaceful home. Get in touch today for an obligation-free quote – our friendly team is ready to answer all your questions.