Who to Hire to Fix Squeaky Floors
Squelch the squeak with professional floor repair
If hearing squeaky floors in your home at night is causing you to wake up with a start, a DIY repair may not give you the peace and quiet that you want. An experienced floor repair company can silence the squeak after a thorough inspection. By hiring a floor repair professional, both minor flaws and major structural problems can be successfully fixed.
Benefits of Hiring Floor Repair Professionals for Fixing Squeaky Floors
The reason a professional floor repair company is the best option for who to hire to fix squeaky floors is due to experience. Chances are high that the floor repair person has seen—and fixed—the exact problem you are having. Hiring someone with less experience may result in a misdiagnosis of the problem.
When you hire a local floor repair company, you will have certainty about the cause of the unwanted noise. You won’t have to wonder whether the cause of the squeak is primarily structural or cosmetic. The floor repair pros will do a thorough inspection and diagnose the problem accurately, leading to a correct repair the first time.
Additionally, the floor repair person likely has experience working with many kinds of floor coverings and subfloors. This can be extremely helpful if you have an odd type of flooring material in place.
If the squeak relates to some of the common cosmetic hardwood floor problems, the repair pro can handle it. On the other end of the spectrum, if the issue relates to subflooring structural issues, the pro can give you an estimated cost to replace subfloor sections or to repair them, helping you budget appropriately.
Can I Hire a Floor Installation Pro to Fix Squeaky Floors?
A local floor installer may be a good option to hire to fix squeaky floors. After all, the installer must know the steps to install a floor, which makes it easier to understand the actions to take for a repair job.
It’s important to be certain that the floor installation company has experience with your type of floor. The diagnosis of the exact location of the squeak may not go well if the company is unfamiliar with the materials in your floor and subfloor.
Additionally, be certain the floor installation company has experience with repairs. Some companies that don’t know much about repairs may simply suggest that you replace the floor with new materials, when a repair would be cheaper and less disruptive to your household.
Can I Hire a Handyperson to Fix Squeaky Floors?
Hiring a local handyperson may work well to fix a squeaky floor that has a relatively simple diagnosis.
If the issue is complex, though, the handyperson may not have the experience necessary to properly diagnose it. This could lead to an improper repair that a floor repair company would need to correct before they could properly repair the floor.
How Do Floor Repair Pros Fix Squeaky Floors?
A floor repair pro starts by inspecting the floors to find the source of the squeak. Loose hardware, gaps between joists and the subfloor, and rubbing boards are the most common causes of squeaks. In more extreme cases, structural problems such as a shifting foundation or damaged subfloor may be the issue. Depending on the specific problem and its location, a floor repair pro may:
Add lubricant between the floorboards
Cleat (brace) the subfloor from underneath
Fill or stabilize gaps between the subfloor and joists
Drive additional nails or screws from underneath or above
Recommend that a structural engineer be consulted if structural issues are suspected
How exactly a pro takes on squeaky floors will depend on the source and location of the squeak as well as the location of the floors. Basement floors, for example, may not have easy access to the underside of the floor, making repairs from underneath difficult.
How Much Does Floor Repair Cost?
On average, homeowners can expect to pay around $1,070 to repair hardwood floors, which tend to squeak with age or if not correctly installed. But every floor project is a bit different, so your out-of-pocket cost can range from $480 to $1,700. Remember, as with any home improvement project, the price varies greatly depending on the severity of the issue and your home’s location.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
There are many reasons why your floors squeak, so while it is tempting to silence squeaking floors yourself, a flooring expert can identify the cause, whether the problem is your subfloor, joists, or your home's structural settling. Furthermore, investing in a professional means the job will be done correctly and up to local building codes, helping you avoid further damage or ongoing noise.
No, squeaky floors do not always indicate structural damage related to a shifting foundation or subfloor damage. However, they may indicate underlying issues like loose subflooring, joists, or floorboards. While many squeaks are harmless, persistent noise could point to more severe problems besides being extremely annoying. It's always best to have a professional inspect your floor to determine the root of the issue.
Yes, carpenters can fix squeaky floors. They have the expertise to identify the source of the squeak, whether it’s loose floorboards, subfloor issues, or joist problems. These experts also have the right tools and hands-on knowledge to secure the flooring and eliminate the noise, ensuring a long-lasting solution.
While it may not always be ideal, you can fix a squeaky floorboard without removing the carpet. Pros use specialized carpet screws and drive them through the carpet into the subfloor, securing floorboards. They may also use nails instead of screws if they suspect the pile will get caught in the screw. While some types of carpet will hide the screws and nails, a low-pile carpet may not.
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