A squeaky floor is one of those small annoyances that becomes impossible to ignore once you notice it. Every time you walk across the room it announces your presence. At night it wakes up everyone in the house.
Why Do Floors Squeak?
Wood floors squeak when boards rub against each other or against the nails that hold them down. This happens because wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature.
Step 1: Find Every Squeak
Walk slowly across the entire floor and mark every squeaky spot with tape.
Step 2: Talcum Powder Fix
Sprinkle talcum powder liberally into the gaps between squeaky boards. Place a cloth over the area and walk back and forth to work the powder in. This lubricates the wood and eliminates friction.
Step 3: Nail Fix
Drive finishing nails through the squeaky board into the subfloor at an angle. Drill a pilot hole first to prevent splitting. Use a nail set to countersink the nails. Fill holes with a wood floor repair kit that matches your floor color.
Step 4: Fix from Below
If you have basement access, apply construction adhesive to the gap between the subfloor and the joist where movement is occurring. Drive short screws up through the subfloor into the joist.
Step 5: Carpeted Floors
Drive screws through the carpet into the subfloor and joist below using a stud finder to locate the joist. Drive until the head is just below the carpet surface.