Are squeaky floors a structural problem? We can’t tell you yes or no because there’s so much to discuss.
But if you keep reading this article, you’ll know whether such an issue can temper the integrity of your space. We’ll also outline the causes of squeaky floors and how to address them.
Are Creaky Floors Dangerous?
Subflooring and floor framing are vital to the overall stability of the floor. Hardwood floors, in particular, can improve the curb appeal of any house.
However, improper installation and moisture damage might weaken your floor frame. A telltale sign of this kind of damage is creaky flooring.
It might be difficult to ignore when those floorboards begin to creak with every step you take.
You will be concerned that you may be dealing with a serious structural problem. It’s also really annoying if you’ve ever attempted to tiptoe across the home.
Are squeaky Floors a structural problem?
Research shows that the answer is no. Although these are relatively minor problems, creaking flooring could indicate a structural issue. They might also be less of a structural red flag and more of an annoyance.
Occasionally, if ignored, leaks may indicate more serious structural issues. Homeowners should, therefore, exercise extra caution if leaks appear or get worse quickly.
If the squeak is located in an area with other clues of possible structural problems, you should act proactively. Frequent upkeep and monitoring can help spot these issues early on, averting future harm and costly fixes.
Stairs and hardwood floors are the most common sources of floor creaking, though any floor can make this noise. Hardwood expands and shrinks in the winter, causing extra friction between the floorboards and audible squeaking. But engineered wood flooring was created specially to withstand weather.
As a result, variations in humidity cause them to hardly make a sound.
Why Your Floor Squeaks
Finding the source of a squeaky floor is crucial before taking any action.
There are many reasons why a floor may creak. Among these are warped floorboards, variations in humidity, movement and friction, and loose nails or screws.
Permit each of these aspects to be reviewed separately for greater insight.
The following factors most commonly cause squeaking floors.
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Movement and friction
The main cause of noisy floors is the house’s natural settling and movement over time.
Such movement, which produces a creaking or squeaking sound, often takes place between various floor components, such as the subfloor, joists, or floorboards.
The flooring scuffs against one another or the bolts and nails. As a result of the ongoing contact, the flooring system becomes loose or has gaps.
The subfloor must be reinforced to entirely eliminate or significantly lessen the effect of subfloor movement on floor noise.
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Changes in Humidity
Humidity changes are another thing that might make flooring creak.
It can worsen the problem by causing the wood to expand or contract. Squeaky flooring can also be caused by termite damage and long-term moisture exposure that causes decay.
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Loose Floorboards
Squeaky floors often result from loose floorboards. Changes in temperature and humidity cause the wood to naturally expand and contract.
As they become loose, the floorboards will brush against the subfloor beneath them or each other. If neglected, this may result in obtrusive squeaks that disrupt a home’s tranquility.
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Distorted floorboards
Squeaky flooring can also be caused by warped or shrinking floorboards, changes in humidity, water damage, or gaps between the boards.
When walking across these spaces, the boards may rub against one another and make obtrusive squeaks. But don’t panic; wood filler can be used to support the floor and fill in any gaps.
Some Advice for Determining the Squeak’s Origin
Your comfort can definitely be disturbed by a squeaky floor.
Therefore, it is imperative that action be taken before the situation worsens. Before taking any action, you need to learn how to locate the source of a squeaky floor.
Strolling around and listening for floor squeaks in particular places is one method of locating the source of the sound. It will assist you in identifying the exact location of the issue.
But this hands-on method is walking around the room slowly and listening carefully for any squeaking sounds coming from under your feet.
Prior to doing so, it’s crucial to grasp the various kinds of squeaks. We have those brought on by floorboard friction, gaps in the subfloor, or loose nails.
A moisture meter is another tool for searching for squeaks. It will help you determine how much moisture is present in the wooden flooring and subfloor.
However, it’s crucial to make sure a moisture meter is correctly calibrated before using it to get reliable readings. The moisture meter should be placed on the subfloor close to corners and edges where water can collect.
In order to identify potential origins of floor squeaks and start crucial repair steps, you may lastly perform a thorough look for loose nails or screws. While you’re at it, pay particular attention to places where furniture is often moved or where there is a lot of foot activity.
Tips for Fixing Squeaky Floors
Now that you are aware of the origins and symptoms of squeaky flooring, it is critical to learn how to resolve the problem. We’ll provide you some useful corrective measures right now.
This will assist you in fixing any floor squeaks before they cause more significant harm. The exact source of the squeak and the type of flooring in place will decide which repair approach is best.
Using screws or nails to fasten the loose floorboards or subfloor to the supporting joists is one typical method. In the case of floors lacking access from underneath, specific screws are made to be pushed through the flooring.
Nevertheless, you’ll have to break off beneath the surface by tightly drawing the flooring up against the joists.
Additionally, you can use wood shims or adhesive, which works well, to fill the space between the joists and subfloor. Fill up any gaps with a liberal amount of wood putty and allow it to dry fully. When it comes to floor defects, wood putty works well to ensure a smoother surface and reduce squeaking noises.
Lubricate the faulty area to lessen component friction. Graphite powder can improve floor movement and reduce noise.
The parts move more freely because of reduced friction caused by the application of graphite powder. This also lessens the rubbing of various surfaces against one another.
Knowing the difference between a squeak and a more serious symptom is crucial. Having this knowledge will enable you to keep the flooring system in your house in good condition.
As the image above illustrates, squeaky floors are not indicative of structural issues. But they’re seen as annoyances and possible indicators of systemic problems.