How to eliminate a squeak in hw floor?
 

The squeak is in the floor, not the subfloor as I "over-screwed" the sf down every few inches...cause I HATE squeaks with a passion. The hardwood is 3/4" thick 2.25" Hickory, and I Powernailed it down every 8-10" or so. Now one board has developed a squeak months later at the very end (and there is for sure a nail there). So I'm thinking sprinkling some talc (baby powder) etc. down and see if it will work it's way down to eliminate it. There is a slight crack (ever so slight) and this is the prefinished type with the micro-bevel edges. The squeak isn't always there...comes and goes as the wood contracts I assume. Any other suggestions?

make the bed squeak so you don't notice the floor as much...

can you access the sf from beneath and get a shim in there?

Sprinkle baby powder and rub it in the cracks. I have heard this can help.

WD-40 for squeaks, or duct tape. If it is loose.

But a figallon bucket over the spot and never move it. No squeak. Boom.

This...

Just sprinkle it on and wipe it over to let it fall into the cracks.

WD40 can make the wood swell.

That was my first thought too as I know talc does a fine job lubricating the St. Andreas fault around the Hollister, CA area.

I'd think you were joking if I didn't know you'd spent some time in the south :D

No can do...it's in a walking path, and I can't spare one of my good footstools anyways...."figallon"...LOL!!!

Baby powder it is...thanks all!

If you can access the floor from underneath you can drive a short screw in to tighten up the area squeaking.

why baby powder and not graphite powder? I would have used graphite.

Interesting. I'll have to remember this. I would have thought some wood furniture oil/conditioner may have been a good idea, but then it may also have made the problem worse.

Paslode nailer with a 2-1/2" 16 ga. wire nail right through the face at the squeak. No one will ever see it.

Drill a small hole in the middle of where you can see the wood move. On the edge of the boards. Inject some epoxy. When it drys, no more squeek.

Nooooooooooooo. don't do that.

can you get under there? you might have a low spot in the sub floor and the finish floor is moving rubbing on the nail. What you hear is the rubbing against the nail.

Get under there and inject some foam into the floor to eliminate the void. drill a little hole and just shoot a tiny little bit in there. it may work. Do you see it go downward when you walk on it.

Really?

How about working on your OCD?

While I would be annoyed at a floor that squeaks at every step, I sure can tolerate something that squeaks occasionally. If you can't you need help, IMHO. I am sure there are a lot of other little things that make your life miserable. Time to look at the big picture. Or just have kids, it will be so loud that you forget about any noise under 120 dB .

G

Yea, WD - 40 is a joke. Not good for wood floors, it makes the floor slippery. ;)

Thought about that too...haven't done anything yet so maybe...

I'd have trouble locating the "exact" spot from below (now)...I do believe it's just the T&G floor squeaking in about a 4" area. Can't see any movement and I'm pretty sure it's not in the subfloor.


Yes, I'm a miserable SOB who is considering ending it all..."Death by hardwood floor" will be the headline....but, if I can just get this squeak taken care of I won't have too :D. .

Not problemo...I was gonna use BOTH tools in my arsenal and slap some duct tape on top anyways...I'm sure you already knew that...it squeaks AND it's loose :). Will regular duct tape be OK or do I need some of that 200 mph Nascar stuff?

locate the squeak and have someone walk on it while you are under there. Drill a small hole through the subfloor (only) and inject some expanding foam in there. Usually is cleat or staple through the finish floor.

Another way is to jack or pry the sub floor's low spot (when you find the dip.) from underneath and use a shim to level the sub floor back up from the joist to eliminate the dip.

Here's a remote possibility. The flooring is supposed to be trimmed about a quarter inch from the base plates of the walls. If it's been trimmed too close to the base plate, it can expand enough at times coming even closer to the base plate. If you step there, it can flex the board(s) and cause it to rub against the base plate and make a squeek or sort of cracking noise. Movement of the board isn't detectable. It can happen when you step on the board(s) maybe 3 ft. or a little more from the wall. I have one spot on my floor that does that sometimes if I step on it in the right place. I just figure it's one of those unique features.

Look, I know you're giving me a "pro's advice" on how to fix it, but my OCD isn't quite to that level...it's just at a spot that I hit eleventy dozen times per day (when it's squeaking that is) right outside my kitchen. I figured a "quick fix" or "it is what it is" followed by a long miserable existence. Thanks all...(you too G)...you made me laugh too :)

Thanks, but that's not the case...'cause I'm OCD and all that :D

Being from the south I can appreciate the use of duct tape. I would take it further and use cardboard laid over the sqeaking board and then using duct tape around the edges. When the floor started squeaking in the double wide this fixed it right up.

Find the squeak.

Isolate it.

Drill through the surface of the hardwood with a small drill bit as close to the source of the squeak as you can.
Find a small headed screw. Drill a shallow hole to accommodate the screw.
Run the screw into the hole and into the subfloor.
Fill the hole with putty or filler that matches the wood.


KT

I am not buying that. It is not what it is. There usually a fix for everything. too bad it is one of those unforeseen issues until its too late. If it a dozen times a day is enough for me to get it fox especially it is a new floor. I am almost sure when you nailed the sub floor it pull the floor a little bit and that's the cause of the squeak.

I "know" your're a pro and I'm not, but I don't believe it's the HW rubbing on a nail as I also placed a vapor barrier down over the sf (Aquabar B) even though in that spot it's over a 4-5' crawlspace.

There is no flex in the subfloor whatsoever...I screwed the sf down every few inches (overkill I know) but I'm sure the sf isn't exactly level. Not arguing with you...I just don't understand what you mean. Obviously there is something of a void between the sf and HW in that spot...otherwise there would be no "give" (even though I can't detect movement). Seriously though thank you (and everyone) for your advice...I'm just not "that" anal about it. If graphite/talc doesn't eliminate it, I will just continue on with my miserable OCD'ish life of woe :D

good luck. let us know how it goes.

The ONLY cause of squeaks on a floor is movement of wood on nails...


KT

Thanks KT...I hear ya. I'm absolutely sure there is a nail exactly where the squeak is...I used Senco 2" "L" shaped nails through the HW tongue with a pneumatic Powernailer...them suckers hold! I ain't disagreeing with ya...just can't understand the squeak in this spot. All of the flooring is supertight (no gaps whatsoever) except here...I can see a hairline crack between the micro-bevels. Thanks again...

Note to self. For entertainment invite KC to my 75 year old house with the wide pine flooring and watch his head explode as he walks around. :)

You might try putting a nice clean piece of 2x4 over the squeek and twapping it with a good sized hammer. Show it some authority.

Yeah you right!! Your "antics" would probably keep me preoccupied, distracted, and laughing however :D. Now where's my "floor whacker"...I'm gonna LEARN "old hickory" a lesson for sure...

Just put down carpet!

(another joke)