The squeaking itself isn’t the issue, but it’s a symptom of something that’s happening in your flooring. Check out some of these reasons for your squeaking floor along with some possible remedies.
If you walk into one of the rooms in your home and hear that unpleasant squeaking sound whenever you put your weight on a particular section of the hardwood floors, several issues that could be causing the problem. The squeaking itself isn’t the issue, but it’s a symptom of something that’s happening in your flooring. Check out some of these reasons for your squeaking floor along with some possible remedies.
Environmental Changes
The environment could be a significant cause of the squeaking that you hear coming from your hardwood floors. Remember that wood tends to expand and shrink, depending on the season and the amount of humidity in the air. This movement will cause the squeaking to occur. Check that the humidity levels in your home remain between 35 percent to 55 percent. Use a humidifier or dehumidifier in your home to maintain these levels, depending on the time of the year.
Deflection Squeaks
Sometimes, the ends or sides of your hardwood boards will rub together and cause squeaking. This squeaking happens again, due to excess moisture in the air or improper installation. The squeaking from deflection could also be caused by inadequate subfloor preparation and can be remedied by nailing or screwing the board down. You could also use a squeegee to apply some aerosolized oil, or add some talcum powder. Besides, you could also use a repair kit or even just consider replacing the offending board.
Subfloor Deflection
With subfloor deflection, instead of stepping on individual boards and seeing movement, you’ll have an entire section of your floor moving and squeaking. If you’re taking multiple steps across your floor and you hear the squeaking, it’s likely that you are dealing with a subfloor deflection problem. The problem could be related to a weak subfloor, improper joist spacing, the wrong subfloor material, or improper nailing. Try installing screws that extend through the flooring, subfloor, and joist. With the proper technique, insert a floor shim on both sides of the floor joist to repair a subfloor that isn’t correctly fastened to the floor joist.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come. From a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.