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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix Creaky Floorboards
A quiet house can become a noisy nightmare due to creaky floorboards, and we understand the inconvenience they create. But don’t worry, Fix-A-Floor is here with a step-by-step guide on how to fix creaky floors, eliminating those annoying noises.
Read further on for:
- Why do floorboards creak and squeak?
- Professional guidance on how to stop floorboards creaking?
- How to reinforce floorboards, lubricate joints and fasten loose floorboards..
Understanding creaky floors
Understanding different types of flooring and how they affect squeaks
Different flooring materials can impact how and why creaks occur.
- Hardwood floors often creak due to wood shrinkage or loose nails.
- Laminate flooring may creak if the underlayment shifts or wasn’t installed correctly.
- Carpeted floors can develop a creaky floorboard when the subfloor or joists loosen.
- Vinyl flooring can make noise if the adhesive weakens.
The Fix-A-Floor adhesive works on all these different types of flooring, providing a secure, reliable and long-lasting fix for creaky floors.
Causes of squeaky floorboard repair
Why do floorboards creak? It’s important to understand what causes these annoyances before looking at ways on how to fix creaky floors. The main factors that cause issues are:
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Your home and floor’s age: The older your home and floor is, the more likely issues will occur.
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Humidity: Frequent changes in humidity and temperature can cause floors to warp and shift.
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Subfloor issues: Any subfloor issues will require you to potentially remove floorboards.
Step-by-step solutions to stop floorboards creaking
Tools you’ll need to fix creaky floors
- Electric drill
- Screwdriver
- Spare screws
- Safety gloves and glasses
- Damp cloth
- Fix-A-Floor adhesive
Identifying the creaky floorboard areas
Identifying creaky areas is quite simple. Some of the most common places for creaks are areas with high amounts of foot traffic and where furniture is placed or has been moved. Walk around your home and listen carefully for creaky or squeaky spots. It also helps to have someone else walk around at the same time to pinpoint troubled areas quicker.
Securing creaky & loose floorboards
If your floorboards have screws:
- Gather your tools – Grab a drill/screwdriver, appropriate screws and safety equipment like gloves and safety glasses.
- Tighten the screws – Drill, or use a screwdriver, to tighten the screws, ensuring they’re not too tight to damage the floorboard.
How to fix creaky floors that don’t have screws
If your creaky floorboards don’t have screws, and instead thin grout lines, you can use the innovative Fix-A-Floor adhesive.
- Drill holes in your creaky floorboards or surrounding grout lines.
- Inject the adhesive into the holes.
- Allow to cure for 24 hours and regrout the holes.
You can check out our detailed guide on how to use the Fix-A-Floor adhesive.
How to stop floorboards squeaking: Lubricating floor joints
Sometimes you won’t have access to the subfloor, which is a major pain when you notice creaky floorboards. The best way to go about stopping the noises when this is the case is lubricating the floor joists.
One way is to sprinkle powered graphite onto the joists between the floorboards and use a warm cloth to work the powder into the cracks, reducing friction. If there is any excess powder for this creaky floorboard fix, simply wipe it away with a damp cloth.
Adding Support from Below:
Securing loose, creaky floors is easy if you have access to the space beneath the floor. Once you have access:
- Use a flashlight to check any gaps between the top of the floor joist and the underside of the subfloor.
- Spread some strong glue onto a wooden shim and push it into the gap – take care not to push in the shim too far or you might raise the subfloor.
- The shim will fill the gap and prevent the boards moving up and down when you step on them.
Common mistakes to avoid when fixing squeaky floorboards
- Skipping the inspection: Not identifying the root cause of the creaky floorboard can lead to ineffective fixes. Always check for loose nails, joists or damaged boards.
- Using the wrong tools: When looking at how to stop floorboards creaking, incorrect tools or materials, like improper screws, can worsen the squeaks and noises. Use the right hardware for the job when fixing squeaky floorboards
- Over tightening screws: Tightening screws too much can cause further damage to the floorboards
- Ignoring subfloor issues: Often, looking to fix your creaky floor starts with the subfloor, so addressing the surface may not resolve the problem.
DIY vs. professional repair: When to call a professional for squeaky floorboards repair
Many squeaky and creaky floorboards can be fixed with the ultimate DIY solution - Fix-A-Floor! Other DIY methods can include tightening screws or adding lubricant to joists.
But how do you stop creaky floorboards when the problems persist? This is where you should probably seek professional help as the problems (though most creaky floorboard issues have simple fixes) could be to do with structural issues. A professional can accurately diagnose the problem and provide a solution.
Long-term maintenance tips to prevent future squeaks
- Tighten loose boards regularly: Frequently check for and secure any loose floorboards with the correct screws
- Use proper padding: Ensure padding is installed correctly to reduce friction and noise
- Monitor humidity levels: Excess moisture or dryness can cause wood to expand or shrink, leading to creaking and squeaky floorboards
- Inspect the subfloor and joints: Frequently check these areas for any movement or damage to stop squeaky floorboards from occurring
How to fix creaky floors: A summary of the steps
- Identify creaky areas: Walk around to locate creaks, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Tighten loose screws: Use a drill or screwdriver to secure floorboards with screws, avoiding over-tightening.
- Apply adhesive: Drill small holes in creaky floorboard areas, inject Fix-A-Floor adhesive and allow it to cure for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Lubricate floor joists: Use powdered graphite on floor joists to reduce friction without dismantling the floor.
- Support from below: Insert shims into gaps between the subfloor and joists if accessible, ensuring a snug fit.
The easiest solution for floorboard repair with Fix-A-Floor
The very best method and solution on how to fix creaky floorboards is with Fix-A-Floor adhesive. All it takes is to drill and fill! Why not use the Fix-A-Floor tile repair kit? It’s ideal for restoration work, fixing loose, creaky, and hollow floor tiles and creaky floorboards, featuring all the tools you’ll ever need.
Get in touch with us for any enquiries about our products. We’d be more than happy to give you advice on the best methods for how to fix squeaky floorboards and more.
Fix-A-Floor Repair Products
1. Micro Precision Injector Kit
2. Extra Strength Bonding Adhesive for Loose and Hollow Tile Repair
3. Caulking Gun
FAQs:
How do I know if my floorboards need to be repaired?
The typical signs of needing floorboard repair include creaking, squeaking and other noises when walking over your flooring, any sinking or looseness when stepping on certain floorboards as well as gaps between each board. With any of these problems, you can solve them with Fix-A-Floor.
Can Fix-A-Floor products be used on all types of floorboards?
Absolutely. One of the best things about Fix-A-Floor products is they can be used to fix creaky floors on all types of floorboards and tiles, including those made from wood, stone, ceramic, porcelain, marble and underfloor heated areas too.
How long does it take for Fix-A-Floor adhesive to cure completely?
Depending on your home’s temperature and humidity, the curing time to fix a creaky floor can take anywhere between 24 to 48 hours.
Will Fix-A-Floor adhesive leave a visible residue on my floorboards?
When performing squeaky floorboard repair, our adhesive has been specifically designed to dry clear, leaving no visual evidence once cured. If you do get any excess adhesive on your floorboards, simply wipe away with a damp cloth before it dries or use our odourless and non-hazardous residue remover to easily remove dried adhesive.
Can I walk on the repaired floorboards immediately after using Fix-A-Floor products?
No. You must wait for the adhesive to fully cure before walking on your floorboards, otherwise, you will displace the floorboard and potentially make the issue worse. Once fully cured, you can then check your repaired floorboard by walking on it.
Do I need any special tools to use Fix-A-Floor products?
Our Fix-A-Floor products don’t require any special tools, just a drill. You can apply the adhesive by simply pouring it into the drilled holes.
How long will the repaired floorboards last after using Fix-A-Floor products?
You can rest assured knowing our adhesive lasts for the foreseeable future, meaning your floorboards will be creak free for years to come.
Can Fix-A-Floor products be used to repair a creaky floorboard in high-moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms?
Yes, you can use Fix-A-Floor adhesive to repair floorboards and tiles in bathrooms and kitchens as these will be water sealed and compatible with the adhesive.
Is Fix-A-Floor adhesive easy to remove if needed in the future?
If you need to remove the adhesive or are replacing your flooring, the Fix-A-Floor adhesive is very easy to remove. Our residue remover is a great option for easy removal.
Do Fix-A-Floor products come with a warranty?
All our products are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty against flawed workmanship and materials. For more information on warranty, see section eight – Faulty Items – in our terms and conditions.
