Symptoms
- Creak or squeak when walking over a specific spot
- Sound repeats every time weight shifts on that board
- Floor feels slightly springy at the squeaky spot
- Squeak worse in dry winter months
Likely causes
- CommonFloorboard rubbing against a loose nailWood shrinks slightly over time, loosening the nail's grip and letting the board move.
- CommonSubfloor separated from the joist belowGaps between subfloor and joist let the floor flex and squeak with each step.
- PossibleWood boards rubbing against each otherAdjacent boards can rub where they've shrunk apart slightly.
- Less commonSqueaky spot near a plumbing or duct penetrationA board cut around a pipe or vent can flex more than surrounding boards.
What to do
- Locate the exact board causing the squeak by walking slowly and marking the spot with painter's tape.
- If you can access the underside (basement or crawlspace), have someone walk on the spot while you watch the joists for movement.
- From below, drive a shim coated with wood glue into any gap between the subfloor and joist.
- If no gap is visible, screw a subfloor to joist using short screws that won't poke through the finished floor, driven at an angle for extra grip.
- If working from above, locate the joist nearest the squeak with a stud finder and drive a trim-head screw through the flooring into the joist.
- For a squeak between two boards rather than at a joist, sprinkle a bit of talcum powder or graphite powder into the seam to reduce friction.
- Countersink and fill any screw or nail holes on the visible floor, then touch up the finish.
Tools and parts
- Stud finder
- Drill/driver
- Wood shims
- Wood glue
- Hammer
Trim-head wood screwsSearch: “trim head wood screws floor squeak”
Wood shimsSearch: “wood shims for floor squeak repair”
When to call a pro
Call a flooring contractor if squeaks are widespread across the house, which may point to a subfloor or joist issue worth a broader inspection.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.