Wooden flooring today can be seen in many homes. It has many advantages: the naturalness of the material, durability, its installation is relatively simple. But every material has its own lifetime. Over time, the wooden floor wears out, and there is such an urgent problem, such as creaking. Let’s find out what methods are available to get rid of it.
Why is the wooden floor squeaking?
Let’s name the main reasons why a wooden floor can start creaking:
- Weak fastening between floorboards and joists.
- Nails that have been used to fasten the boards to the joists coming loose from their place.
- Moisture and subsequent cracking.
- Loose joists that move under the floor.
- The deflection and deformation of the joists due to human weight pressure.
- The lining under the joists has become less stable.
- Rubbing of the planks.
All of these causes cause different sound of cracks and creaks. Let’s figure out how to get rid of such a problem.
How to identify a squeaky floor
If you’re hearing a squeaky floor while walking around your home, it can be frustrating. Luckily, there are some ways to identify and fix the issue.
The first step is to identify the source of the squeak. This can be done by walking over the area and identifying the spots that make the noise. Once you’ve identified the spot, you can start to fix the issue.
One way to fix a squeaky floor is to use a squirt of WD-40. This can be done by spraying the area where the noise is coming from and letting it sit for a few minutes. Once it’s been given time to work, you can wipe away the excess with a cloth.
If you don’t have WD-40, you can also use a bar of soap. This can be done by wetting the bar of soap and rubbing it over the area that’s squeaking. Once the bar of soap has been used, you can rinse it off with water.
Another way to fix a squeaky floor is to use a rubber band. This can be done by wrapping the rubber band around the leg of a chair and placing it over the squeaky spot. This will help to keep the floor from squeaking.
If you’ve tried all of these methods and the floor is still squeaking, you may need to call a professional. They will be able to identify the source of the noise and fix it for you.
Getting rid of creaks in a wooden floor: ways
It is quite possible to remove the squeaks on your own. At the same time, there are quite simple ways to solve the problem without serious expenses. You do not even have to disassemble the floor!
As a rule, the easiest and most inexpensive way to get rid of creaking is considered additional fixing of the boards to the joists with self-tapping screws. Next to the old nails, screw in some strong self-tapping screws. This helps in most cases.
Interesting! As a rule, this works, provided that the condition of the joists is good.
If there are gaps between the boards, we advise using wedges. They should be hammered into the resulting gaps, and the outer part of the wedge should be cut off after the glue dries.
You can also fill the place under the board that makes the creaking noise with installation foam. To do this, it will be necessary to make a small hole in the board, which is subsequently sealed.
There is also a more radical way. We are talking about the complete replacement of the floor. This is expensive, and here you will need the help of a specialist.
There are two options for replacement: new joists with new boards or old joists with new boards.
Important: You need to choose according to your budget!
How to avoid squeaking
It is possible to prevent the creaking of wooden floors. There are several ways:
It is possible to prevent the appearance of creaking at the installation stage. It is only necessary to take a high-quality material that will serve as the basis for a reliable floor. For example, many European countries prefer to use pine and spruce boards. They are extremely popular because of their high strength, durability and antibacterial properties. However, in Russia’s climate these boards can also start creaking after a while. Other materials are more popular here – ash, maple, cedar and oak. They absorb moisture well, are extremely durable, and are more suitable for our region.
From the friction of the logs and boards, which may arise in the future, get rid of damping pad (waterproofing material, insulation, substrate for laminate, etc.).
The interesting thing is that even loose flooring can prevent squeaks. It will allow the floorboards to maintain their condition and position as they absorb moisture and continue to dry.
When there is no such sound, there is a sense of comfort. By reinforcing your floor, you are prolonging its life and making your own much more enjoyable.
The problem of creaking wooden floors, as we have mentioned more than once in this article, you need to pay serious attention even at the stage of selecting the material. So you will save time and money in the future.