Skip to content
Squeaky Floor Repairs - DIY
Squeaky wooden floors can often make homeowners a little mad, with noises, both quiet and loud, sending worrying thoughts through heads about costly repairs or disruptive DIY. All wooden and laminate floors will begin to squeak after a number of years, but replacing your floor isn’t the only solution.
You can carry out wooden floor repairs with our simple and versatile Fix-A-Floor extra strength bonding adhesive, and in this DIY guide, you’ll learn how to fix squeaky wood floors with confidence. This is a cost-effective and easy solution for everyone, so push the idea of a complete floor replacement out of your mind and follow our easy steps.
Identifying the problem
You may already know the areas in your home that need squeaky floor repair. However, if you’re still struggling to locate the exact spots, identify the problem by:
- Walk with someone around your home and test certain floorboards for squeaks – often the most common places are ones with heavy foot traffic like stairs.
- If you walk over an area and it sinks, it could be an issue with joist spacing or a weak subfloor.
- If you have recently done a reshuffle of heavy furniture, such as a sofa or wardrobe, the previous space where your furniture was positioned may now have some squeaks to fix.
Choosing the right fix
- Determine the source of the squeak: Identify whether the noise comes from loose boards, friction between the boards or movement against the joists.
- Evaluate floor accessibility: If you can access the floor from below, adding support or shims between joists may be the best option.
- Consider adhesive solutions: For gaps between the boards and subfloor, injecting a wood specific adhesive can be a simple, effective wooden floor repair.
- Choose screws over nails: Replacing loose nails with screws reduces movement and is more durable for securing floorboards.
Materials required for squeaky floor repair:
The right tools for the job make every squeaky floor fix easier, and there are only a few key things you’ll need when looking to fix a squeaky floor:
- Fix-A-Floor adhesive
- 10:1 ratio thrust caulking gun
- Drill and drill bits
- Vacuum/dustpan and brush
- Damp sponge/non-abrasive cloth
- Weighted objects (such as buckets filled with water)
- Matching grout
- Wood filler
- Syringe (for precise application to narrower grout lines)
- Chalk or tape
For a head start, our Fix-A-Floor Pro Repair Pack comes with a caulk gun and syringe applicator and three 300ml tubes of adhesive.
The squeaky wood floor fixing process: Step-by-step
We recommend our all-in-one Syringe Injector Kit to fix squeaky floors, which allows for even the smallest of holes to be filled where necessary.
Step 1. Locate the problem spots:
Gently walk over your floor or tap with a wooden dowel to identify the squeaks. Mark the squeaky wooden floor areas using chalk or tape.
Step 2. Drill the holes:
Use a 2.5mm drill bit (or smaller) to create holes on each end of the floorboards. Large areas may require additional holes.
Step 3. Prepare and apply the adhesive:
Unscrew the tip from the Fix-A-Floor tube and load it into the 10:1 thrust ratio caulk gun. Start filling each hole until the adhesive overflows.
Step 4. Clean and cure:
Wipe away excess adhesive with a damp cloth or sponge. Let it cure for at least 24 hours, placing weighted objects (bucket of water) over the squeaky floor repair area.
Step 5. Finish:
The last step in how to fix squeaky wood floors is to cover the drilled holes with matching grout or wood filler. For any excess dried residue, use white spirits or our Fix-A-Floor adhesive remover.
Common reasons for squeaky floor repairs
There are several reasons why your flooring may be squeaking, with laminate floors being more prone to do so.
- Shrinkage: Wooden floorboards shrink over time creating small gaps in the flooring. Walking over these gaps can cause the boards to rub against each other, producing a squeak.
- Loose nails: Nails that have come loose from joists can result in floorboards moving up and down on the nail shaft. When pressure is applied, the flooring will begin to squeak.
- Improper installation: A 10mm expansion gap is recommended when installing laminate flooring – if this is inadequately done, during expansion the boards will rub against each other, walls and door frames.
- Subfloor issues: A subfloor that isn’t glued correctly or lacks enough fasteners could separate from the joists or underlying supports, leading to squeaks. Whatever is causing the problem of your wooden floor making noise, squeaky floor repair is possible with our simple-to-use adhesive.
Whatever the cause of the irritating noises, squeaky floor repair is possible with our simple-to-use adhesive.
Maintenance tips for long-term floor health
Maintaining your floors is key to preventing the need for frequent squeaky floor repair. Here are some straightforward tips to keep your floors in top shape:
- Regular cleaning: Regularly clean your floors to prevent dirt and grime build up which can contribute to floor damage.
- Avoid excess moisture: Too much moisture can lead to warping which will result in a squeaky wood floor. Clean up any spills as soon as possible.
- Control indoor climate: Extreme temperature changes and humidity cause floorboards to expand and contract, leading to squeaky wooden floors.
- Furniture pads: Use furniture pads under the legs to prevent scratches and dents, reducing the need to repair your wooden floor.
- Regular inspections: Inspect your floors for signs of wear or damage. Catching small issues early can prevent larger problems and extensive repairs.
Easy squeaky floor repair with Fix-A-Floor adhesive
With the Fix-A-Floor adhesive, you’re equipped to perform wooden floor repairs and squeaky floor repairs for all types of materials, including wood, porcelain, marble and stone.
Bid farewell to the costly and time-consuming replacements and embrace the satisfaction of simple, yet effective DIY floor repairs with Fix-A-Floor’s squeaky floor repair solutions. If you have any other questions or need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help. If you’re ready to buy, you can view all our products here.
The benefits of the Fix-A-Floor bonding adhesive
There are many benefits of the Fix-A-Floor adhesive, including:
- It can be used on multiple surfaces – not just to repair wooden floors, but also marble, porcelain, stone, laminate and more
- It’s an affordable DIY solution – you won’t have to spend masses replacing your floors
- The adhesive bond is long-lasting – your floor will be squeak and creak-free for years to come
- It’s easy to use – just drill and fill!
General FAQs for fixing squeaky floors
Do you have more questions on how to use Fix-A-Floor for your squeaky floor repair? Here are some common queries and questions answered to help you confidently fix squeaky floors.
Can Fix-A-Floor adhesive be used on all types of flooring materials?
Yes, Fix-A-Floor adhesive is designed for versatility when looking for a squeaky floor fix, and can be used on flooring types including tiles, marble, porcelain, ceramic, stone and wood. It is also compatible with underfloor heated areas.
How long does it take for Fix-A-Floor adhesive to cure completely?
Typically, Fix-A-Floor adhesive takes between 24 and 48 hours to cure, depending on the depth of adhesive applied and the room’s ambient temperature. For the best results, allow a minimum of 24 hours before checking your squeaky floor repair and don’t forget to put something heavy over the repair area to help the adhesive do its job.
Is Fix-A-Floor adhesive a long-lasting solution for squeaky floors?
Absolutely! Fix-A-Floor adhesive offers a long-lasting and durable solution for squeaky floor repairs. Once applied and cured, it creates a strong bond that helps prevent future squeaks and creaks.
Can I use Fix-A-Floor adhesive if my floor has both squeaks and gaps?
Yes, you can. Our adhesive is formulated to effectively fix creaky floors and repair wooden floor gaps, ensuring your floor is stable, secure and free from any noises. It’s a comprehensive solution for floors with multiple issues.
Is Fix-A-Floor adhesive suitable for DIY beginners?
Fix-A-Floor is designed to be user-friendly and suitable for DIY beginners thanks to its easy application and versatility. We help everyone perform squeaky floor repairs.
What causes floors to become squeaky?
Squeaky floors are usually caused by loose or shifting floorboards as a result of changes in humidity, wear and tear or improper installation. As the boards move, they rub against each other, nails or the subfloor, creating the squeaking and creaking sounds.
How do I locate the squeaky spots on my floor?
Start by moving furniture such as sofas and tables and checking the area where they’re usually placed, as these are common problem areas. Take a rubber mallet, wooden dowel or use your fingers and add a light amount of pressure to the suspected areas. If you notice general noises or a sinking feeling when walking on your floor, these are the signs of the problem areas of where to repair your wooden floor.
Do I need any special tools to apply Fix-A-Floor adhesive?
While you don’t need any specialist tools to apply the adhesive, we do recommend using a caulk gun for consistent application or our syringe kit for smaller drilled holes in the grout lines.
What should I do if the adhesive overflows during application?
If the adhesive starts to overflow during your squeaky floor repair, this means you have used enough adhesive and should stop applying. Wipe away the excess and leave to cure for 24-48 hours.