Squeaky Floorboards: Causes and Fixes
What causes creaks and how they are repaired
Few things are as noticeable as a squeaky floorboard, especially at night or in a quiet house. Period properties are most affected, but newer floors can squeak as well. In most cases, a squeaky floor can be repaired without major work.
What causes floorboards to squeak?
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.
Joist problems such as weakened, notched or poorly supported timbers.
Seasonal swelling and shrinking of the timber.
The repair process
The first step is finding exactly where the movement is. By walking the floor and checking each area, we pinpoint the loose boards, and if needed we lift a board to inspect the joists.
Re-fixing loose boards
Usually, loose boards are screwed down to the joists, giving a far stronger hold than old nails. Screw heads are sunk below the surface and filled for a tidy result. We always check for pipes and cables before fixing.
When the issue is underneath
If the joists themselves are moving, extra support may be needed. 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.
Board replacement
Split, rotten or badly damaged boards are best replaced. We use reclaimed boards matched in width, thickness and age, so the new board blends in, especially once the floor is sanded and finished.
Can you fix squeaks yourself?
Some people try to fix squeaks with talcum powder, extra nails or squeak-fixing kits. Powder may reduce friction for a while, but the noise usually returns. 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. You get a floor that is quiet and secure for the long term.
Will all squeaks disappear?
Repairs eliminate most creaks in most floors. Even so, timber keeps responding to seasonal changes in humidity. Very old floors may develop the occasional new creak over time, especially when the heating first comes on in autumn. 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.
The essentials at a glance
Every creak comes from a loose board moving and rubbing against a fixing, joist or neighbouring board.
Screwing loose boards to the joists gives a far stronger and longer-lasting hold than nails.
If the joists move, adding noggins or packing and strengthening them makes the floor firm again.
Hidden water pipes, gas pipes and cables must always be located before any fixing is made.
The best time to fix squeaks is just before sanding, so repairs blend into the new finish.
The ideal time to fix creaks
Planning a sand? That is the best moment to deal with creaks. 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.
Bothered by a creaky floor? Our floorboard repair service is available across Epping as a standalone repair or alongside sanding. You can also check our guide prices for an idea of costs.