Why Do Floorboards Squeak and How Can You Stop It?
Getting to the root of the noise
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. The good news is that most squeaks can be fixed without replacing the floor.
Where the noise comes from
Every squeak is caused by movement and friction. 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.
Old nails that have worked loose.
Timber shrinkage, leaving small gaps between the boards and the joists.
Friction between neighbouring boards.
Boards lifted for pipes or cables and not refixed properly.
Movement in the joists themselves, from age, notching or missing support.
Seasonal changes in humidity making boards expand and contract.
Professional repairs
The first step is finding exactly where the movement is. We walk the floor, mark the squeaks and check the boards and fixings, sometimes lifting a board to look at the joists beneath.
Re-fixing loose boards
Usually, loose boards are screwed down to the joists, giving a far stronger hold than old nails. Screw heads are sunk below the surface and filled for a tidy result. We always check for pipes and cables before fixing.
Supporting the structure
If the joists themselves are moving, extra support may be needed. This can involve fitting noggins between joists, packing gaps between joists and boards, or strengthening joists that were notched for old pipework. These repairs make the whole floor feel more solid underfoot.
When a board cannot be saved
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?
Some people try to fix squeaks with talcum powder, extra nails or squeak-fixing kits. Powder may reduce friction for a while, but the noise usually returns. Adding nails often just repeats the original problem and can crack fragile period boards. The main danger is driving a fixing into a hidden water pipe, gas pipe or electric cable.
Professional repairs deal with the underlying movement instead of covering up the sound. We check for services under the floor before fixing, and we use the right screws and techniques for the type of floor. The result is a quiet, solid floor that stays that way.
A note on old floors
In most homes, careful repairs will stop the vast majority of squeaks. However, wooden floors are natural materials that move with changes in temperature and humidity. Very old floors may develop the occasional new creak over time, especially when the heating first comes on in autumn. These are usually minor and can be dealt with easily if they become a nuisance.
Creaking stairs
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
Every creak comes from a loose board moving and rubbing against a fixing, joist or neighbouring board.
Screws hold boards firmly to the joists and last much longer than the original nails.
Joist problems may need noggins, packing or reinforcement to make the floor feel solid.
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
If you are planning to have your floor sanded, it is the perfect time to fix squeaks. Repairs are completed before sanding, so everything blends into the fresh finish. A secure floor also sands more evenly.
Tired of creaks and squeaks? Our floorboard repair service is available across Cobham as a standalone repair or alongside sanding. Take a look at our guide prices for squeaky floor fixes.