Why Do Floorboards Squeak and How Can You Stop It?
Getting to the root of the noise
That creak in the hallway or on the landing is one of the most common things we are asked to fix. Period properties are most affected, but newer floors can squeak as well. In most cases, a squeaky floor can be repaired without major work.
The common causes
Every squeak is caused by movement and friction. When a board is not held tightly, it moves slightly under your weight and rubs against a nail, a neighbouring board or the joist beneath it.
Old nails that have worked loose.
Timber shrinkage, leaving small gaps between the boards and the joists.
Friction between neighbouring boards.
Boards lifted for pipes or cables and not refixed properly.
Movement in the joists themselves, from age, notching or missing support.
Seasonal swelling and shrinking of the timber.
How squeaks are fixed
We start by locating the source of the noise. We walk the floor, mark the squeaks and check the boards and fixings, sometimes lifting a board to look at the joists beneath.
Screws instead of nails
In most cases, the solution is to secure the board firmly to the joist with screws, which hold much better than the original nails. Screw heads are sunk below the surface and filled for a tidy result. We always check for pipes and cables before fixing.
Supporting the structure
Sometimes the joists need attention too. This can involve fitting noggins between joists, packing gaps between joists and boards, or strengthening joists that were notched for old pipework. The floor feels firmer and quieter afterwards.
When a board cannot be saved
Some boards are beyond repair. Replacement boards are matched to the originals in size and character for an invisible repair.
DIY fixes and their limits
There are plenty of DIY tricks for creaky floors, from powder in the gaps to extra nails. Powder can quieten a squeak caused by boards rubbing together, but the effect rarely lasts. Adding nails often just repeats the original problem and can crack fragile period boards. The biggest risk with DIY fixes is hitting a pipe or cable hidden under the floor, which can cause serious damage and expensive repairs.
A professional repair addresses the real cause of the movement, rather than masking the noise. Before fixing anything, we check for pipes and cables and choose fixings suited to the floor. The result is a quiet, solid floor that stays that way.
A note on old floors
In most homes, careful repairs will stop the vast majority of squeaks. Even so, timber keeps responding to seasonal changes in humidity. Older floors may still produce the odd creak as the seasons change, particularly when the heating is switched on. These are usually minor and can be dealt with easily if they become a nuisance.
Creaking stairs
Stairs can creak too, usually where a tread has loosened from the riser or stringer beneath. These can often be fixed by securing the treads and adding support blocks from underneath, ideally when the stairs are being restored.
Key points to remember
Every creak comes from a loose board moving and rubbing against a fixing, joist or neighbouring board.
Screws hold boards firmly to the joists and last much longer than the original nails.
Joist problems may need noggins, packing or reinforcement to make the floor feel solid.
Hidden water pipes, gas pipes and cables must always be located before any fixing is made.
Fixing creaks before a sand means every repair disappears under the fresh finish.
Fixing squeaks before sanding
If you are planning to have your floor sanded, it is the perfect time to fix squeaks. All the repairs are done first, then the floor is sanded and finished so any filled screw holes disappear into the new surface. It also means the floor is sound and secure, which gives a better sanding result.
Tired of creaks and squeaks? Our floorboard repair service fixes squeaks across Surrey, whether on their own or as part of a full restoration. Take a look at our guide prices for squeaky floor fixes.