How to Fix a Squeaky Upstairs Floor?

I received a call from New Orleans City a few months ago; my old client Lara complained about her floor. When she walks on her floor, she can understand that a voice behind her is following her. I thought the moment was ghostly, but I realized that the foundations on her floor had gone bad after knowing the details.

Squeaky floors are a common but annoying problem. And Lara’s house was on the first floor, so the family was upset at the noise. It was not possible to go to Orleans City as I was on the BG schedule. However, I explained to Lara how to relieve this annoying noise by fixing squawky floors from above.

Removing Squeaky from a house floor is not very difficult if you know what causes the floor upstairs to Squeaky.

Without worrying, you should try it yourself before hiring an expert. I will present some essential tips in this article by applying to remove Squeaky from the top floor by yourself.

Contents

What causes squeaky floors?

Is your floor making noises? Is it squeaky? Then, this writing is only for you. The noise a squeaky floor makes is so irritating. Let’s see how to fix it.

But, before talking about how to fix squeaky floors from above, first, let’s find out why this is happening. Well, The reason is relatively simple. The floor is moving for any reason. When constructed, the floor is attached to the subfloor firmly. When it loosens for any reason, the foundation makes noises. Eventually, There are several reasons for being relieved from the subfloor. The weather or temperature change, very hot or cold, moist weather or dry weather expands or constricts the floor, especially wooden floors. That causes things to be loosened.

Another reason is the pressure. The pressure we create when stepping on the floor. When you put more pressure, the joints, and nails, help the foundation stay steady and loosen up. Then it makes noises.

Sometimes, the issue is different from the loosened nails or loosened board. It can happen when the subfloor is defective itself. Even when the two panels are rubbing each other, it makes an irritating sound. Now, let’s get back to how to fix hacks.

The First Step in Fixing Squeaky Floors: Find the Squeak

The first thing you will need to find the source. So, find out the squeak on the floor. It is relatively easy. Let’s have a walk. Walk over the floor. Now keep walking till you hear the noise. Once you find it, mark it with anything near you.

The squeak causes because the loose attachment of the subfloor to the joist. What you need to do is to screw the joist and the subfloor down. You may wonder what a joist is. It is the wood beam that supports the weight of your home from the horizon. These beams are attached parallel, and you will see them expanded throughout the house’s length or width.

Now, the direction in which way the joist is attached is a bit difficult work. I am going to tell you my secret about how I figure out the path. I remove a recessed light, and as a mark, I put a wire or hanger to find the direction easily. If your house is of two floors, remove a light fixture from the first floor as the light fixture is mainly attached to the joist. It refers to the direction of the woods.

How to Fix a Squeaky Upstairs Floor

In most cases, the squeak occurs due to the nails that might be missed when installing. So, when you step up the floor, the board slides away up and down and makes squeaky noises. You can fix it by attaching the nail with the joist again in its back position.

To fix the upstairs squeak, you will need several items. Gather them before you start to work. Gather a hammer, a measurement tape, spiral nails almost 2 inches, drill or rotary tool. You might gather a piloting bit, putty stick, and stud finder. You may need these.

First, find out where the rowdy noise is coming and then go downstairs, where the squeak is just above your head. Now tap the loosened board with a hammer. If you can’t find it, try hearing the sound. The loosen board will make a slightly different sound than the others.

Then, gauge the nearest fixture’s distance to the joist, note the measurement, and go upstairs. Now, locate the length you measured just directly and place a spiral nail over the carpet. Use a hammer to put the pin through the rug straight down. Now you are done. But if it still makes noise, you should attach more nails. Don’t worry, and the carpet won’t be harmed.

Tip

If your floor is made of wood( like hardwood ), you will see the squeaky easily from above. Even if you don’t, a battery-powered stud finder will help you find the loosened joist. But the more Accurate way is the taping method. Once located, use a drill pilot best works with hardwoods makes holes easily. Take a nail and drive it inside the board.

If one nail doesn’t stop the speaking sound, use another one or two to fix the joist firmly until it blocks the irritating noise. Then use some putty to fill the holes.

Warning

Here are the cautions you must take. We have fixed the steaks for your wooden floor. But, what if the floor is made up of tiles? Though it is rare to use tiles upstairs, you may have one. What will you do then?

It would be best if you peeled the tiles back. Could you remove it from the floor? But do it very carefully. Otherwise, the tile may be broken down. Now you get the point. Get the hammer and spiral nail. Attach the pin inside the joist with the hammer.

Then again, put the tile down also. Of course, carefully. But, if you think the squeaking noise is not bothering you that much, leave it for the tiles. Because if you are not a professional, you may break the tiles and make the situation worse.

Fix the Squeak From Above the Floor

When you find a squeak, always try to fix the squeak from above.

After finding out where the squeak is, when the floor is made up of woods, attach a long nail into the board to finish it. If you have a stud finder, you better use that to find the joist.

If the squeaking noise happens because the floor is separating from the subfloor, attach two nails at a 45-degree angle opposite the floor. Then use putty to fill the holes.

Common reasons your Floorboards are Cracking

There are several reasons for your floorboards are cracking. Let’s find out why your floorboard is making noises.

Among all the typical reasons, the most common one can be the floorboard cut short when installing. As it is more straightforward, it moves up and down, slide each other. The rubbing against the joist or the board is the reason to make noises. That also can happen when you have opened or cut the joist to fix pipes under it, and it was not appropriately placed with enough support when put back.

Another reason can be, there is a nail missing in the joist. Maybe when installation, it might be skipped accidentally from the side. Then the joist is not appropriately placed with enough support. So, they rub each other and slides over the other. When you walk on the floor, it moves up and down and makes cracking noises.

When the joists are not on the same level, they can also make noises. Maybe one corner of a beam is too low than the other one, and the other one is too high. That can happen due to the nail, which might be shorter that can not hold the joists together. So, the floorboard can move up and down. Then it makes noises.

Another reason is, the timbers are short or not cut in square shape. So, the poorly fitted joists start to nogs around. It also can happen when the woods are done in winter. In winter they can be a bit wet. When they dry in summer, they shrink and become shorter than before, and start to move.

Another common cause of your floorboard squeaking is the pipework. When the pipes are placed too close to each other, the floor or not notched deep enough. When you walk over the floorboard, the pipes make creaking or squeaking noises. Besides, hot and cold temperatures also make changes to the lines. Pipes carry hot and cold water, which makes them sometimes expand.

So, when installation, there must be enough space between the lines. If there is not enough space, you will hear noises even not walking over them. Maybe you will be scared then, thinking that there is a ghost inside your house!

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading the above tips, you have learned the right rules to eliminate this squawky from the floor yourself. This annoying sound should be quickly expelled from the floor for better sleep. Then find out why squeaky noise is coming out of your floor! Once you have found the squawk area, start fixing the squeaky upstairs floor. If you can do the work yourself, you can sleep with a pillow. It is crucial to improve the squawky feet to keep your child safe from the ghostly noise of the squeaky floor.