Spotting Squeaky Floors: What to Look for?

When you hear the distinct sound or see the signs of creaky and squeaky floors in your home, it could be more than just a little inconvenience and part of greater underlying issues. But not to worry, we are here to help you understand the signs of creaky floors and how to resolve any issues easily and without costing you an arm and a leg.  

Understanding squeaky floors 

Noisy floors are more than just a disturbance; they’re a clue that something beneath your feet might need attention. From ageing structures to environmental factors, various elements can contribute to floor noises. 

What causes squeaky floors? 

Several things can cause squeaky floors, including: 

• Age: Over time, materials can weaken due to age leading to gaps, movements and squeaks. 
• Humidity: If your home has a humid environment, this can affect flooring by making it expand and contract, loosening joints and causing squeaks.  
• Poor installation: Improper installation is another reason for floors to start squeaking. 
• Wear and tear: General wear and tear caused by regular foot traffic can gradually loosen floor components. 

Differentiating squeaky and creaky floors 

Despite often being used interchangeably, the terms ‘squeaky’ and ‘creaky’ refer to different noises and may even be signs of separate problems. Usually high-pitched, squeaks are caused by friction between subfloor elements or floorboards. Because of their deeper, echoing sound, creaky floors indicate bigger changes or gaps and shifts in the flooring structure. Understanding the difference will help you find the ideal solution to fix creaky floors. 

The importance of addressing squeaky floors 

Whether or not you can put up with squeaky and creaky floors isn’t the troubling issue. Ignoring these problems can lead to a snowball effect, causing significant and much more noticeable issues further down the road.  

If troubleshooting squeaky floors isn’t carried out, it can lead to: 

• Worsening conditions – Minor issues can develop into significant damage. 
• Safety concerns – Loose floorboards can turn into trip hazards. 

• Reduced home value – Persistent noisy floors can decrease your home’s appeal. 

Signs of squeaky floors 

There are several signs of squeaky floors to look out for. You may not spot these signs on a day-to-day basis at first, but over time they will become more noticeable and worsen. Identifying squeaky floors and the signs early can help save you hassle and money. 

Auditory signs 

Let’s start with the most obvious sign of squeaky floors – the noise. When walking on your flooring, take note of the areas that make noise when you step on or near them. 

Visual signs 

Certain visual signs are easier to identify than others. Look for gaps between floorboards, raised nails or any visible movement in the flooring as you walk. 

Tactile signs 

Movement is a key indicator of squeaky floors. Feeling movement or instability underfoot can indicate areas where the flooring is not securely attached, leading to squeaks and creaks. 

Troubleshooting squeaky floors 

Depending on the severity of the problem, solving floor problems can be relatively simple with various DIY solutions being ideal to solve the problem. However, if your flooring issues are more severe, they may require professional help which, unfortunately, leads to higher costs. That’s why we reiterate spotting floor issues early! 

DIY solutions 

DIYers out there can come into their own when carrying out floor repairs.  

• Using lubricants: 

Applying talcum powder or graphite between floorboards can reduce friction and noise. 

• Grab a bonding adhesive: 

Fill the gaps or drilled holes, which can be regrouted, with the Fix-A-Floor bonding adhesive and leave to set for 24 hours. After curing, your flooring will be rebonded and secure, eliminating any squeaking noises. 

• Inserting shims: 

To prevent movement and tighten loose areas, thin wedges can be put into the gaps. 

• Tightening loose screws: 

Be on the lookout for loose screws and old nails, ensuring they are all tightened, and replace damaged ones with the appropriate sizes. 

Professional solutions 

If you haven’t identified squeaky and creaky floors before bigger problems arise, you may have to seek professional help. Hiring a floor specialist will enable them to assess and address any complex issues more thoroughly, as well as perform floor reinforcement techniques such as joist repairs. They may also replace entire sections of your floor. All of these are extremely costly compared to DIY solutions.  

Prevention and maintenance tips 

Troubleshooting squeaky floors isn’t just about identifying and resolving the problems as you see them. The best methods lie in regular maintenance and prevention.  

Regularly inspect floor areas that have large amounts of foot traffic or furniture placement to catch any issues sooner rather than later.  

If you are having new flooring installed, ensure you are having it done by reputable professionals who use the proper techniques and materials to guarantee long-lasting bonding, so the risky gaps, loose boards and unpleasant noises are mitigated.  

Homeowners can provide consistent care in several ways, including keeping humidity under control to stop expansion and contraction and avoiding overloading areas with heavy furniture or dragging when repositioning. These strategies will extend the lifespan of your floors.  

Take action when spotting the signs of squeaky floors 

More than just a nuisance, creaky and squeaky flooring are indicators your home may require some repair work. You can keep a flooring structure steady, secure and quiet by being aware of the signs, identifying them and learning how to fix them.  

Recognising the differences between creaky and squeaky floors, acting upon them quickly and understanding their subtleties can help keep small problems from turning into big concerns.  

For fixing floor expertise, and brilliant solutions for easy fixes with an award-winning adhesive, seek assistance from Fix-A-Floor. We can help answer any questions and give leading advice on how to fix floor gaps and more. We also have floor repair kits to get you kitted out with everything you’ll need to put an end to squeaky floors.