How to Prevent Squeaky Floors: 6 Subflooring Installation Tips That Can Help

Have you ever tried to sneak into the kitchen for a late-night snack, only to have squeaky floors tell on you? The result can be noisy when the subfloor is subpar—whether that’s because of installation errors or the wrong materials are used. Avoid future costs to fix or replace subflooring that’s been poorly installed with these six tips for how to prevent squeaky floors.

Why Proper Subfloor Installation Is Important

Your subflooring is the foundation for an attractive, sturdy, high-quality floor, whether you’re installing linoleum, laminate, or hardwood flooring. In fact, subfloors are usually the cause of squeaky sounds, which occur when the subfloor becomes separated from the flooring over time.

Once you install the flooring, it’s more challenging to fix a squeaky floor. On average, the cost to replace a subfloor ranges from $1 to $7 per square foot, depending on the material you use, plus an additional $25 to $30 per hour for labor costs. It pays to get it right the first time with a proper subfloor installation.

1. Ensure You Use the Right Subfloor Material 

The material you choose for your subfloor creates the base that you will walk on every day. And once it’s installed, it’s hard to access again for repairs or replacement, which is why choosing the right subfloor material is a critical step in the process of preventing squeaky floors. There are different types of subfloor, so let’s take a look at the two main types.

Plywood

Plywood is a popular subfloor material that holds up well in high-traffic areas and provides appropriate support for a range of flooring materials, including hardwood, laminate, and even tile if you use a cement backer board. Plywood subfloor comes in tongue-and-groove, so it’s easy to install. Because of its thickness and strength, it holds nails and screws well, which can keep it from becoming loose down the road.

OSB

Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a popular subfloor material since it is similar to plywood, though it’s a little less durable, which makes it a little less expensive. Because it’s not as rigid as plywood, the edges of OSB subfloor boards can swell if they get wet. And OSB isn’t as thick as plywood, but it is typically more consistent, without knots or imperfections that may end up in plywood.

2. Space the Subfloor Panels

Subfloor panels should carry a 1/8-inch buffer gap around all four edges. This helps prevent buckling by allowing the panels to expand naturally. If you’re using some higher-end brands engineered with tongue-and-groove edges, they may create that gap on their own after installation, so check with the manufacturer to be sure. Don’t hammer tongue-and-groove joints together or you can damage the wood fibers, eventually causing movement and noise.

3. Apply Glue Carefully

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you’re applying glue to secure your joists. However, before applying the adhesive, take a good look at your joists to ensure they’re dry, clean, and dirt-free. Otherwise, the glue can weaken its hold at that location, leading to movement and the dreaded squeak. 

Finally, only work with one or two panels at a time when you’re gluing. Ensure the panels are tightly fastened and aligned before allowing the glue to set and harden. The glue manufacturer can provide specifications for how long it takes the glue to set, but note that certain weather conditions can alter those times. For example, if you’re working in a hot environment, the glue may set more quickly than you anticipate. 

4. Let the Subflooring Dry Completely

Moisture infiltration is another common cause of subfloor squeaks. When water seeps into the subflooring elements, it can cause the glue to break down and nails to rust, ultimately leading to movement and squeaks. To avoid this, ensure you or your local general contractor keep the materials for your subfloor covered and dry at all times. 

If you’re using oriented strand boards and they’ve been exposed to the elements during construction, ensure they’re completely dry before installation of your expensive upper flooring. Allow the subfloor panels to acclimate for about 48 hours before installing the flooring above them. 

5. Use Screws or Nails to Reinforce the Subfloor

One of the top culprits behind a squeaky subfloor is loosening fasteners that occur with use over time. To help increase the length of time before this happens, ensure your subflooring is securely fixed by inserting screws into the subfloor in between nails. Once the entire subfloor is screwed down and acclimated to the environment, you can add the flooring on top. 

Another frequent problem behind squeaky subfloors is unwanted nail movement or misalignment. To reduce the risk of nail movement, use ring or screw shank nails placed down the centerline of the panel and spaced according to construction drawings.

6. Inspect and Test the Subfloor Before Moving On

Once your subflooring system has been fully installed and acclimated, take a moment to fully inspect the work before you move on to placing your flooring on top of it. Walk around the area and check for squeaks, movement, or visual problems, such as a misplaced nail. It’s less expensive to fix a problem before the floor installation than after it.

Tips to Prevent Squeaks During and After Flooring Installation

Preventing squeaks during installation can make the life of the floor much more pleasant for those who have to walk on it every day. But what happens if the floor squeaks after installation? Here are some tips on how to prevent squeaky floors during and even after installation:

• Use a variety of methods to attach the subfloor to the joists. Instead of simply nailing (or screwing) or gluing the subfloor to the joists, do both. 

• Be gentle. Hammering the edges of tongue-and-groove subfloor to fit them together can damage the wood fibers on the boards, leading to squeaky floors down the road. Instead, use a block of wood between the floor and hammer and use the wood to move the panels into place.

• Walk around. After you install the subfloor, walk around on the floor. This will help you identify any squeaky spots before you install the actual flooring.

• Let the flooring acclimate. Before you install new flooring, let it acclimate by leaving it in the room where it will be installed for at least 48 hours before removing it from the packaging.

• Clean any spills and liquids quickly. Clean up any moisture as soon as possible. Moisture left on the floor can seep into the subfloor and cause the boards to swell and warp, which will lead to squeaking.

• Shield your floors from the sun. UV light can cause gaps to form in between the floorboards, leaving the subfloor vulnerable to moisture and the issues that come with it. While it’s possible to repair sun damage to the surface by paying for the cost to refinish hardwood floors, for instance, it may not be as easy to repair the subfloor.

• Protect it from traffic. The more people walk on the floors, the faster they can wear out and start to squeak. Putting down rugs and leaving outside shoes at the door can offer some much needed protection and help prevent squeaks.

• Clean your floors the right way. Wood floors should be dry mopped daily with a more thorough going-over weekly. Once a month, use a floor cleaner designed for your flooring and an appropriate cloth to mop it and remove any spills or grime that build up over time. Keeping up with routine maintenance can help keep dirt from getting into the cracks and scratching the finish.

• Contact a floor repair company. If you have squeaky floors, a local floor repair company can take a look and determine how or if the problem can be fixed, whether the subfloor is under laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, or even in a mobile home.

Annie Sisk contributed to this piece.