How to eliminate a squeak in hw floor?

KFC911 · 01-31-2013, 01:25 PM

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?

rusnak · 01-31-2013, 01:38 PM

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

flatbutt · 01-31-2013, 02:12 PM

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

peppy · 01-31-2013, 02:12 PM

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

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

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

Crowbob · 01-31-2013, 02:55 PM

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

sc_rufctr · 01-31-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peppy

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

This...

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

WD40 can make the wood swell.

KFC911 · 01-31-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peppy

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbob

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

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!

steve185 · 01-31-2013, 03:47 PM

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

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

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

masraum · 01-31-2013, 05:16 PM

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.

drcoastline · 01-31-2013, 05:16 PM

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

GWN7 · 01-31-2013, 05:23 PM

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.

look 171 · 01-31-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drcoastline

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

Nooooooooooooo. don't do that.

look 171 · 01-31-2013, 07:06 PM

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.

aigel · aigel's Garage

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

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

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

KFC911 · 01-31-2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

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

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

. .

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

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

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?

look 171 · 01-31-2013, 08:39 PM

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.

Evans, Marv · 01-31-2013, 08:44 PM

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.