The annoying sound: squeaky floor is a common but irritating issue if you have wood floors in your house.
Every time you step up on the part of the surface, it immediately makes a creaky sound. And over time, it could go nuts.
You may blame the floor itself for its age or who installed it due to poor installation. But you still wonder how the squeaky floor could be annoying!!
So, a million questions may revolve in your mind like- Are squeaky floors a structural problem? What causes the squeak surface? And the most crucial fact is- how can you fix the issue?
Don’t drive too crazy!!
We break down everything and answer every question you have in your mind.
Without further ado, let’s dig into this guide.
Contents
The Anatomy of How Your Wood Floor is Structured
First off, you should understand how your wood surface is built. Every floor has three elements, including
- Subfloor
The layer above the joists and works as a support for both the underlayment and the surface flooring.
- Underlayment
Generally, it is a thin layer between the flooring materials and the subfloor.
- Joist
The beam we arranged in parallel series to support the wood floor.
You already know the joist sets below the floor and subfloor to support them.
And all these elements like joist, floor, and subfloor are nailed together.
Over time, due to wood expansion, each of the elements comes loose. In return, there will create a gap between the subfloor and joist. So, when you step up on the gap, it creates a creaky sound.
Therefore, as every element comes loose or a nail comes out from its place, the floorboards may rub each other. And it is also another reason behind the squeaky floor.
Are Squeaky Floors a Structural Problem?
From the above, you can learn why your floor makes the popping noise.
Because of the change of humidity, the floorboards dry out over time and the wood expands. As a result, each of them rub against one another.
Also, if any nails come loose, there remains a gap between floorboards and subfloors.
All these things are the reason behind the squeaky wood floors.
So, we can say- there is no structural problem with the wood floor that will cause the annoying sound.
The Simple Hacks of Fixing Squeaky Wood Floors
From this chapter, you can learn the way of fixing the squeaky floor. And the best part is- you don’t require any previous skill or hardly need tools to do this task. So, let’s get to the point directly without wasting a second.
- Fill the gap with talcum powder
The fastest way to fix the creaky floor is by applying the talcum powder over the affected area.
The surprising fact is- you don’t need any tools like a drill or other to repair your noisy wood surface.
First off, figure out the squeaky area. Now, you may ask- how can I find the affected spot?
It’s simple. Let someone walk around the wood floor. Then, go to the basement to check from where the sound is coming.
After finding out the cracks, spread the talcum powder and sweep it into the crack to fill it. Continue to add the powder until it stops the popping noise.
Keep in mind; it’s not a permanent solution to this issue. So, you should do this trick after a few years if the creaky sound comes back again.
- Find out the source of the noisy part and shim it out
The best solution to the squeaky issue is- shimming out to fill the gap.
But you need to isolate the affected area first.
In this case, call your friend or relatives for help. Allow them to walk around your hardwood floor. At the same time, you should go into your basement to see the source of the creaky noise.
If you discover the sound comes from the subfloor and joist, slide shims to fill the space. It stops the movement of your floorboards and silent the squeak.
- Use WD-40 to fill the crack
Like Talcum powder, using the WD-40 is effortless and quick to fix the popping noise.
However, we recommend you avoid overusing this as it may damage your wood surface. But a small amount of use can’t harm the hardwood floor.
Firstly, trace out the offending area. And you already know how you can find the affected spot.
Secondly, start filling the cracking gap by pouring WD-40. Make sure you add a little amount of this adhesive. It prevents floorboards from moving around.
In return, the wood plank boards don’t rub against each other.
FAQs
Are creaky floors dangerous?
No, creaky floors are not dangerous and they are not a sign of any significant issue. Instead, the squeaky surface makes an annoying popping noise.
Why do my upstairs floors creak?
Generally, your upstairs floors creak if the nail misses the joist when the installer attaches it. When a gap is created between the floorboards and the subfloor, you can experience the floor squeak.
How do you make a squeaky floor quieter?
Spread the talcum powder over the affected area and fill the crack to lubricate the friction point. It helps to silent the creak sound.
Conclusion
I hope you get the answer to this question: are squeaky floors a structural problem?
No, there is no structural problem as the squeaky floor is the result of humidity change.
Due to the change of humidity, the wood expands over time. As a result, the nails come loose or pull out from its place. So, there create a gap between the subfloor and floorboards. And when some step up on the gap, the wood squeak.
However, you can get rid of this issue by following the repairing processes.
Now, it’s up to you.
What do you think about the squeaky wood floor? Is it the result of a structural problem? Have you ever experienced the popping noise of your hardwood floor?
Let us know by leaving a comment below.