Why Do My Floors Creak? 6 Common Problems and How to Fix Them
There’s no creaking around the issue—squeaky floors are usually from friction
Creaky floors are often caused by flooring materials rubbing together.
Loose floorboards can cause this issue.
Creaking may be normal for new floors.
In rare cases, a creaking floor can signal structural damage
Squeaky and creaky floors are one of those annoying things about being a homeowner. Sometimes they happen, especially if you’re in an older home with wooden floors. It’s not usually a big deal, but you may want to fix it so it doesn’t potentially lead to a larger problem later down the line. This guide will teach you why your floors creak and what you should do to solve the issue.
1. Loose Floorboards
Most floor creaking comes down to the components of the floor rubbing against each other. This can happen if your floorboards are loose—whether it’s because they weren’t nailed properly to the subfloor or the fasteners loosened over time. If it’s the floorboards, you should be able to pinpoint the creak to the affected boards.
The Solution
Sometimes, silencing your squeaking floor is as simple as filling the gaps with wood filler or lubricating the floorboards. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to fasten the loose board to the subfloor with a screw.
2. Subfloor Problems
Damaged, uneven, or improperly installed subfloors, along with subfloors made from the wrong material, can creak. If this is the issue, the floor will creak over a larger area than just a couple of floorboards. Usually, a creak points to a gap between the subfloor and joists or subfloor and floorboards.
The Solution
It’s a good idea to hire a pro to repair or replace your subfloor. There are several ways to repair a subfloor, depending on the problem. You may be able to shim gaps between the subfloor and joists or fill them with construction glue. In some cases, nailing down the subfloor may work. In other cases, you may need to replace a damaged subfloor. A pro can properly diagnose the issue.
3. Floor Joist Issues
Joists are the main structure beneath your floor, and any issues will cause creaking. This can occur when joists are warped or damaged. It can also occur if they were installed improperly—like spaced too far apart or without the correct blocking. Blocking is essential to stabilizing the joists and preventing movement.
The Solution
Unless you have previous contracting experience, you’ll need to call a pro to repair the floor joists. For most homeowners, floor joist repair costs $4,000 to $12,000.
4. Temperature Changes
Hardwood floors will swell in high temperatures and shrink in cold temperatures. This could cause creaking, and it’s especially common on new floors that haven’t yet adapted to your home’s climate.
The Solution
New flooring will stop creaking over time or as the weather changes. To solve a longer-term problem, you can install a whole-house humidifier to combat winter dryness or a dehumidifier to combat summer humidity.
5. Foundation Issues
In some cases, creaking floorboards aren’t an issue with your flooring. They have to do with your foundation. This could be a result of normal settlement. If a squeaky floor is a structural issue, there will likely be other signs like sagging, sloped or uneven flooring, horizontal cracks in the foundation; cracks where the ceiling and walls meet, or bulging walls.
The Solution
A foundation inspection can tell you if there’s an issue with your foundation, and then you can take steps to fix it.
6. Mold or Water Damage
Moisture can swell or warp your flooring, which causes creaking as floorboards pull up from the subfloor and rub together. Mold exacerbates the issue by weakening and eventually rotting the floor.
The Solution
If your floors are warped from water damage, you’ll need to replace them. First, you’ll need to remediate any mold. This requires professional intervention. Hire a mold testing and remediation specialist near you.
When to Call a Pro
If your creaking floor ends up being more than just a simple floorboard fix, you should call a floor repair company near you. This is not a DIY for the average person, though ultra-handy homeowners may be able to take on larger jobs like replacing the subfloor. That said, if you do the work wrong, you could unnecessarily damage your flooring or the utilities below.
Flooring pros deal with issues like this every day. They can promptly diagnose and fix the creak without wasting time (and money) on guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Squeaking floors don’t usually pose an immediate safety risk. It can be the result of normal settlement, changes in humidity, or natural wear. Uneven or warped floors do pose a trip risk, so you should call a pro for a repair. This is especially true if you notice visible signs of rot or deterioration. Rarely, a creaking floor can signal structural issues, but there are usually other signs.
Squeaky floors don’t always mean structural damage. Usually, it’s caused by friction somewhere inside your floor—whether it’s a loose floorboard or a gap between the subfloor and joists. If there is structural damage, you’ll notice other signs like soft or sagging floors, cracks that go from the wall to the ceiling, and horizontal cracks on your foundation.
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