How To Make Wood Floors Stop Creaking

Creaky wood floors can be a nuisance, especially in older homes. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to fix the problem. Here are a few tips on how to make wood floors stop creaking:

1. Identify the source of the creak. The first step is to identify where the creak is coming from. Walk around the room and listen for the creaks. Once you've found the source, you can start to fix the problem.

2. Tighten the screws or nails. Over time, the screws or nails that hold the floorboards in place can become loose. This can cause the floorboards to move and creak. To fix this, simply tighten the screws or nails. You can use a screwdriver or a nail gun to do this.

3. Add shims. If the floorboards are still creaking after you've tightened the screws or nails, you can try adding shims. Shims are thin pieces of wood that can be used to fill in the gaps between the floorboards and the subfloor. To add shims, simply insert them into the gaps and tap them into place with a hammer.

4. Apply wood filler. If the gaps between the floorboards are too large for shims, you can try applying wood filler. Wood filler is a type of putty that can be used to fill in holes and cracks in wood. To apply wood filler, simply spread it over the gaps and smooth it out with a putty knife. Once the wood filler has dried, sand it smooth and apply a stain or paint to match the rest of the floor.

5. Call a professional. If you've tried all of the above methods and you're still having problems with creaky wood floors, you may need to call a professional. A professional can identify the source of the problem and recommend the best course of action.

Here are some additional tips that may help to prevent wood floors from creaking in the future:

Keep the humidity in your home at a moderate level. Wood floors can expand and contract with changes in humidity, which can cause them to creak.
Avoid placing heavy furniture on wood floors. Heavy furniture can put stress on the floorboards and cause them to creak.
Walk on wood floors with soft shoes. Hard shoes can damage the floorboards and make them more likely to creak.