Why Do Floorboards Squeak and How Can You Stop It?
From loose boards to tired joists
A creaking floor can be charming at first, but most people soon want it gone. Squeaks are particularly common in older homes with original floorboards, but they can affect newer floors too. In most cases, a squeaky floor can be repaired without major work.
The common causes
A squeak is the sound of two surfaces rubbing together. When a board is not held tightly, it moves slightly under your weight and rubs against a nail, a neighbouring board or the joist beneath it.
Loose nails that have lost their grip over the years.
Timber shrinkage, leaving small gaps between the boards and the joists.
Boards rubbing against each other at the edges or tongues.
Boards lifted for pipes or cables and not refixed properly.
Movement in the joists themselves, from age, notching or missing support.
Seasonal swelling and shrinking of the timber.
Professional repairs
We start by locating the source of the noise. By walking the floor and checking each area, we pinpoint the loose boards, and if needed we lift a board to inspect the joists.
Securing the boards
Usually, loose boards are screwed down to the joists, giving a far stronger hold than old nails. The screws are countersunk and can be filled, so the repair is neat and blends in once the floor is finished. We take care to avoid pipes and cables, which often run under the boards.
Supporting the structure
If the joists themselves are moving, extra support may be needed. Common fixes include adding noggins, packing gaps or reinforcing joists weakened by old plumbing work. The floor feels firmer and quieter afterwards.
Board replacement
Some boards are beyond repair. Replacement boards are matched to the originals in size and character for an invisible repair.
Should you try it yourself?
There are plenty of DIY tricks for creaky floors, from powder in the gaps to extra nails. Powder can quieten a squeak caused by boards rubbing together, but the effect rarely lasts. Extra nails can work loose again in the same way as the originals, and they can split old boards. The biggest risk with DIY fixes is hitting a pipe or cable hidden under the floor, which can cause serious damage and expensive repairs.
A professional repair addresses the real cause of the movement, rather than masking the noise. We check for services under the floor before fixing, and we use the right screws and techniques for the type of floor. You get a floor that is quiet and secure for the long term.
A note on old floors
In most homes, careful repairs will stop the vast majority of squeaks. Even so, timber keeps responding to seasonal changes in humidity. Older floors may still produce the odd creak as the seasons change, particularly when the heating is switched on. Any new squeaks are generally minor and straightforward to fix.
Noisy staircases
Creaking stairs are common, often caused by treads working loose from their supports. These can often be fixed by securing the treads and adding support blocks from underneath, ideally when the stairs are being restored.
In summary
Squeaks are caused by movement: boards rubbing against nails, joists or each other.
Screws hold boards firmly to the joists and last much longer than the original nails.
If the joists move, adding noggins or packing and strengthening them makes the floor firm again.
Hidden water pipes, gas pipes and cables must always be located before any fixing is made.
Fixing creaks before a sand means every repair disappears under the fresh finish.
Fixing squeaks before sanding
Planning a sand? That is the best moment to deal with creaks. All the repairs are done first, then the floor is sanded and finished so any filled screw holes disappear into the new surface. A secure floor also sands more evenly.
Tired of creaks and squeaks? Our floorboard repair service fixes squeaks across Barnet, whether on their own or as part of a full restoration. You can also check our guide prices for an idea of costs.