If you’ve noticed your floors have started to squeak, you might be worried about the integrity of your home. The good news is that squeaky floors generally aren’t a serious structural problem. However, the annoyance of creaking floorboards is bound to get worse, so understanding the issue and addressing it is the best way forward. After all, something as simple as a squeaky floorboard shouldn’t ruin your relaxation at home.

Whether your floorboards are squeaking for the first time or the problem seems to getting louder and louder, figuring out the cause is essential to solving the issue. Ranging from floorboards that have come loose to gaps emerging between the subfloor and joists, taking the time to pinpoint the cause of your squeaky floors means applying a fix should deliver greater success.

Here, we explore what causes squeaky floors and why you shouldn’t usually worry about a structural problem in your home. Then, we’ll delve into the common solutions when squeaky floors strike, helping homeowners fix and prevent annoying creaks from disrupting their everyday enjoyment at home.

What Causes Squeaky Floors?

Ready to investigate your squeaky floors? First, it’s a good idea to learn about the most common causes. At least one of the following issues usually contributes to the noise and dissatisfaction, whether you live in an older home or a newer build.

Loose Floorboards

Don’t be surprised if your floorboards come loose, as everyday wear and tear or poor installation technique can mean they unfasten from the subfloor. With this leading to individual floorboards shifting and rubbing against each other, irritating squeaks and creaks are the outcome.

Gaps in the Floor Structure

Floors are basically made with four major components: the top layer, the underlay, the subfloor and the joists. If the latter two develop gaps, this can lead to significant flexing of your floor. Not only can you sometimes feel this dip when you walk across it, but the noise created can be substantial.

Environmental Changes

Changes in temperature and humidity throughout the seasons can cause your floorboards to squeak, especially when the installer doesn’t include appropriate expansion gaps. As the wood expands and contracts depending on the conditions, keeping a stable interior climate is crucial to prevent noise throughout the entire year.

Incorrect Underlay

The underlay beneath your floorboards is another potential cause of squeaky floors. If it isn’t installed correctly, it can produce gaps between the boards and the subfloor, leading to unnecessary noise. There are also times when an inappropriate underlay has been chosen for the job, with this issue needing to be addressed before too long.

Fix Your Squeaky Floors

Time to fix your squeaky floors? There are several simple solutions you can explore to solve or at least reduce the noise. If the problem seems more serious, you can always call our expert team to address your issue with the least possible hassle.

Buy a Squeak-No-More Kit

One of the first potential fixes to consider is a squeak-no-more kit. These simple products are designed to work with hardwood, carpet and vinyl floors, making them suitable for the full spectrum of homeowners. Using the equipment inside, you can drill through the surface of the floor into the joists, tightening anything that’s come loose over time.

If you don’t have access to the space beneath your floor, you might be wondering how you find the joists to screw into. With a basic stud finder and the alignment tool, it’s a relatively easy job to insert the provided screws. As these are designed to snap off in the ideal spot, the finished product appears flush with the rest of your floor.

Reduce the Gaps with Shims

Shims are another simple solution for resolving some of the more common causes of squeaky floors. As gaps between the subfloor and joists often result in noisy movement, shims help plug these gaps to create a tighter, more consistent surface with minimal flex. Available in wood or metal, you’ll have to look for the perfect spot to place your shims.

The easiest way to identify these spots is to have someone walk on the surface of the floor, listening carefully for where the noise is loudest. Once you find a potential problem, push a shim into place and see if the noise has improved. As you move around the subfloor looking for unnecessary gaps, you have a good chance of resolving your squeaky issues.

Sprinkle Baby Powder

While it might be more of a temporary fix, many homeowners have found success sprinkling baby powder or graphite powder over their floorboards. As this substance helps lubricate the surface and falls into the minute cracks, it prevents them from rubbing together and creating a noise.

For situations where squeaky floors are caused by seasonal temperature changes, perhaps a healthy coating of baby powder is enough to resolve the issue until the floorboards expand or constrict into place again. Keep an open mind and see if this approach helps with your squeaky floors.

Signs Your Squeaky Floors Are Serious

Although squeaky floors generally aren’t a sign of a more serious problem with your home’s structure, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. While you might notice some movement beneath your feet, pay attention to whether it feels more spongy than you’d expect. This could mean that your subfloor or joists have begun to rot.

With too much moisture, high humidity and liquid water damage contributing to weak foundations, watching out for the signs is important. This can also include musty smells, warped floorboards, unexpected water stains or mould and mildew growth. Take action quickly if you think a more serious problem has occurred beneath your floor.

Chat with the Squeaky Floor Experts

Are your floorboards making a racket? Getting help from an expert team is the fastest and easiest way to address your issue. With our highly experienced professionals working across Melbourne and Sydney, we have what it takes to return peace to your home.

Founded in 2013, we’ve seen every squeaky floor and know the best ways to fix them. Renowned for our stellar customer service and attention to detail, trust Squeaky Floors to fix your problem. Get in touch today for an obligation-free quote – our friendly team can answer all your questions.