How to Fix a Squeaky Floorboard

Nothing ruins a quiet house like a floorboard that squeaks every time you walk on it. The good news is it's usually an easy fix.

Why Floorboards Squeak

Squeaks happen when:

• Boards rub against each other - Gaps have developed between boards
• Nails have come loose - The board moves on the nail
• Boards rub against joists - The fixing has failed
• Subfloor is loose - Common with chipboard floors

In older Exeter homes, squeaky floors are often just the house settling over decades. We cover more common issues in Victorian Exeter home problems. The original nails work loose and the boards start moving.

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Quick Fixes (No Tools Required)

1. Talcum Powder

For squeaks caused by boards rubbing together:

1. Sprinkle talcum powder (or powdered graphite) over the squeaky area
2. Work it into the gaps between boards with your foot or a cloth
3. Wipe away excess
4. Walk on it to work the powder in

Works for: Minor squeaks, temporary fix. May need repeating.

2. WD-40 or Dry Lubricant

Spray into the gaps between boards. The lubricant stops the friction that causes the squeak.

Works for: Quick temporary fix. Not permanent.

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Permanent Fixes

Method 1: Screw Down the Board

This is the proper fix for most squeaks.

You'll need:

• Drill with pilot bit and countersink
• Wood screws (40-50mm)
• Wood filler
• Stud finder (optional but helpful)

Steps:

1. Find the joist - Floorboards are nailed to joists underneath. Look for existing nail lines or use a stud finder.

2. Drill a pilot hole - Through the floorboard, at an angle if possible, into the joist.

3. Countersink - So the screw head sits below the surface.

4. Drive the screw - Pull the board tight to the joist.

5. Fill the hole - Use wood filler matched to your floor colour.

Pro tip: Two screws per board at each joist is more secure than one.

Method 2: Nail It Down

If you don't have screws, you can use nails:

1. Find the joist
2. Drive a 50mm oval nail at an angle through the board into the joist
3. Punch the nail head below the surface
4. Fill with wood filler

The downside: Nails can work loose again over time. Screws are better.

Method 3: Pack the Gap

If the squeak is from a gap between the board and joist:

1. Lift carpet or access from below if possible
2. Shim the gap with thin wooden wedges (don't force them - just snug)
3. A bit of PVA glue on the shim helps

Works for: Specific squeaky spots where the board has warped away from the joist.

Method 4: Squeak-No-More Kits

These clever kits let you fix squeaks through carpet:

1. Find the joist through the carpet
2. Drive a special screw through the carpet into the joist
3. Snap off the screw head at carpet level
4. No visible hole

Cost: About £20 for a kit. Worth it if you have carpet you don't want to lift.

Method 5: From Below (If Accessible)

If you can get under the floor (basement or crawl space):

1. Have someone walk on the squeak while you watch from below
2. Identify the movement
3. Drive a screw up through the subfloor into the floorboard
4. Or use construction adhesive to fill gaps

Important: Don't use screws too long - you don't want them poking through the floor above!

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Squeaks Under Laminate or Engineered Wood

Floating floors squeak for different reasons:

• Subfloor is uneven - Floor moves on bumps
• Underlay has compressed - Usually at doorways
• Expansion gap too tight - Floor is pinched at edges

Fixes:

• You may need to lift the floor and level the subfloor
• Add underlay to low spots
• Check the expansion gap at walls (should be 10-15mm)

This is trickier work - often worth calling a professional.

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When to Call a Professional

Get help if:

• Multiple boards are squeaking - Might need a section refixing
• The floor feels bouncy - Could be a joist problem
• You have underfloor heating - Don't drill randomly
• It's an expensive floor - Oak, parquet, etc.
• You can't locate the squeak - We've got a knack for this

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Preventing Squeaks

• Control humidity - Wet winters and dry summers make boards move. Keep heating consistent.
• Fix them early - Small squeaks become big squeaks
• Use screws not nails - For any floor repairs

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Want the squeak sorted? We fix floorboards across Exeter - usually in under an hour. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.