How to Fix a Squeaky Floor Made Out of Wood
Floors made of wood are very elegant and durable, but a squeaky floor can be bothersome. In time, wooden floors may start to squeak because the wood boards dry and shrink, allowing gaps to form in between them. Fixing squeaks in wooden floors is not a difficult task. You can force powdered graphite or talcum powder between the floor boards.
This will temporarily stop the squeaks. However, if you want a more permanent solution, you have to repair the squeaky area. The best way to fix a squeaking floor depends on the finish of the floor, and whether you have access to it from underneath. You can fix your wooden floors having only access from the above, using the method described below.
Step 1 – Find the Squeaky Areas
You should first locate the squeaking area. Walk around the room to detect the exact wooden boards which require fixing.
Find the joists which support the wooden floor boards. If the squeaky floor is situated on the second story, you can tap the ceiling and listen for dull sounds. You can also use an electronic stud finder to locate the joists. When you locate one joist, you can easily find the others. Typically, there will be a 16 inch space between the centers of 2 neighboring joists.
Step 2 – Find the Center of the Joist
Use the measuring tape to determine the center of the joist in the squeaky area. Use masking tape to mark the center line of that joist. Remove the masking tape when the job is done.
Step 3 – Determine the Thickness of the Floor
Determine the thickness of the floor before you insert the nail. Use a spiral flooring nail of an appropriate size.
Step 4 - Insert Spiral Flooring Nails
Place a heavy object or a weight on the loose floor board. Insert a spiral flooring nail through the loose floorboard, into the joist. Insert the nail at a 45 degree angle. This way, the nail is more resistant and won’t be easy to pull-out. Make sure the wood doesn’t split when you insert the nail, by pre-drilling a slightly smaller hole.
Even if they are not as strong as screws, spiral flooring nails have added holding power.
Drive in as many nails as needed to fix the floorboard.
You can also use special fastening kits available on the market, which provide special screws and recess drivers.
Step 5 – Countersink the Nails
Use a nail set to countersink the nails. Inserted at an angle, the head of the nail will not completely align to the floor.
Step 6 – Fill the Holes
Use a wax-putty stick or crayon to fill the nail holes in the floor. Choose a wax that matches the color of the floor. Remove the excess wax with a clean cloth. Using the proper amount of wax, and cleaning well the excess wax, will make your repair work invisible.
