Fixing Creaky Floorboards for Good
From loose boards to tired joists
A creaking floor can be charming at first, but most people soon want it gone. Period properties are most affected, but newer floors can squeak as well. The good news is that most squeaks can be fixed without replacing the floor.
What causes floorboards to squeak?
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.
Previous plumbing or electrical work that left boards loose.
Movement in the joists themselves, from age, notching or missing support.
Seasonal changes in humidity making boards expand and contract.
The repair process
We start by locating the source of the noise. 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
In most cases, the solution is to secure the board firmly to the joist with screws, which hold much better than the original 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.
Dealing with joist problems
Sometimes the joists need attention too. This can involve fitting noggins between joists, packing gaps between joists and boards, or strengthening joists that were notched for old pipework. The floor feels firmer and quieter afterwards.
Board replacement
Split, rotten or badly damaged boards are best replaced. 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 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 main danger is driving a fixing into a hidden water pipe, gas pipe or electric cable.
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.
Will all squeaks disappear?
Repairs eliminate most creaks in most floors. 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
Stairs can creak too, usually where a tread has loosened from the riser or stringer beneath. These can often be fixed by securing the treads and adding support blocks from underneath, ideally when the stairs are being restored.
The essentials at a glance
Every creak comes from a loose board moving and rubbing against a fixing, joist or neighbouring board.
Screwing loose boards to the joists gives a far stronger and longer-lasting hold than 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.
The best time to fix squeaks is just before sanding, so repairs blend into the new finish.
Fixing squeaks before sanding
If you are planning to have your floor sanded, it is the perfect time to fix squeaks. All the repairs are done first, then the floor is sanded and finished so any filled screw holes disappear into the new surface. It also means the floor is sound and secure, which gives a better sanding result.
Bothered by a creaky floor? Our floorboard repair service is available across Harrow as a standalone repair or alongside sanding. Take a look at our guide prices for squeaky floor fixes.