How to Fix Squeaky Floors

Lubricating hardwood floors is a quick and easy way to stop squeaks. To lubricate means to add a substance that reduces friction, and the product you use to lubricate is a lubricant.

Simply cutting down on friction may be enough to stop the squeak. Give it a try by sprinkling a powdered graphite lubricant over the squeaky spot. Cover the powder with paper towels, so it stays in place.

Put on your shoes and use your feet to move the lubricant into the grooves between the flooring. Move your foot back and forth and in circles for a few minutes.

Still hear the squeak? Repeat the process two or three or more times. If the sound is still there, go on to the next step.

Tip: Use a handheld vacuum cleaner to clean up any leftover lubricant.

First, find a helper to continue fixing a squeaky floor. You’ll need their assistance locating the squeak.

Have your helper stay upstairs and walk on the squeaky spot while you head to the basement. Stand on a step ladder and use a flashlight to locate the area of the squeak.

Check out the squeaky spot. Sometimes, a long nail that installers left exposed can cause the sound. You’ll usually be able to spot a problem nail right away because it will be visible beside the wood.

If you see one, use a pair of bolt cutters to cut it off close to the ceiling. See if this fixes the problem and move on to the next step if the sound continues.

Instead of a rubbing nail, a gap between the joists and the subfloor may be to blame. The joists are the beams that run below the floor, and the subfloor is the wood that goes on top. Together, the joists and the subfloor support the hardwood floors.

When someone walks over the floor in a spot where there’s a space, the subfloor may push down and rub against the joists. Then, you hear the end result as that squeak.

Filling in the gap could stop the noise. To do it, you’ll use a small piece of wood called a shim. Put a little construction adhesive on one end of the shim. Then, slide the shim into the gap.

If the shim doesn’t slip into place easily, tap it with a claw hammer. Try not to pound, as this could damage the floor.

You only need to get the shim in an inch or two. It’s not necessary to slide the shim all the way in. In fact, forcing the whole thing into the gap could worsen the squeak.

For a squeak in just one spot not caused by a gap, try driving in screws from below.

Use a power drill make a pilot hole through the subfloor. Then, drill a second smaller pilot hole through the hardwood floor into the subfloor.

Have your helper stand in the spot while you drive the screws in with an electric screwdriver.

Tip: Be sure you use short screws to avoid having to repair damage if the screw comes through the top of the finished flooring. 

If you see two or more subfloor boards moving when your helper walks, bracing the floor may help the squeak. Bracing means to add another piece of wood to support the floor, so boards move less.

To brace, start by measuring the area with a tape measure. Then, cut a 1x4 to the correct length with a circular saw. Use an electric screwdriver to drive drywall screws into the lumber at each end.

Another approach is to use steel bridging. Bridging is a long metal support that goes under the subfloor. It comes in various sizes, so choose the length that fits your floor. Then, nail it into place below the subfloor boards.

Safety Tip: Wear eye and hearing protection when working with power tools.

If you can’t access the subfloor through the basement, try driving screws into the floor from above.

First, drill small pilot holes into the hardwood floor at an angle. Put the hole at least 1/2 inch away from the board's edge for best results. Go through the floor but not into the subfloor.

Apply pressure and drive trim screws through the pilot holes into the subflooring. The head should end up below the surface. Fill in the hole with wood filler in a color that matches the floor.

Work from above for a squeak below thick carpeting. Roll back the carpeting when possible. If you can’t, use a stud finderto locate the joists. 

Once you find the problem, drive a finishg nail into the subfloor in the squeaky spots. Use a nail set to drive the nail through the carper and below the surface of the subfloor.

Tip: Avoid using screws with carpeting, as they can get twisted in the fibers.