Have you ever walked into an area and heard your hardwood floor loosen and squeak? It is a sound that no homeowner wishes to hear. Sure, it’s a small irritation during a hectic day. However, at night, when the house is silent, every stride on that creaking plank might sound like a thunderclap. No matter how beautifully rustic your hardwood flooring is, a floor that manages to play its squeaky soundtrack every time you cross the room may be far less appealing to you and anyone else within earshot.
Importance of Fixing a Loose Board
As bothersome as that squeaky noise is, you must pay attention to it. A creaky wood floor is more than simply a source of noise. Squeaks and creaks indicate an underlying issue, usually a loosening of the hardware that keeps the floor in place or an uneven subfloor. Ignoring these symptoms may jeopardize the integrity of your home’s flooring. Silencing the noisy chorus of our flooring is critical not just for our peace of mind, but also for the lifetime of our home.
Typical Reasons for Loose Board
Let’s look at why your board can be loose. The fasteners that hold the floors to the subfloor, such as screws or nails, may become loose over time. Because of this, the floorboards can shift a little as someone walks on them, rubbing against the nails or one another and making that awful squeaking sound. Another contributing element is improperly fastened planks during installation, which cause movement between the flooring and the subfloor, creating friction.
Gaps between the subfloor and the floor joists may eventually develop. This is frequently brought on by your home’s natural settling or variations in humidity, which cause the wood to expand and shrink.
Let’s fix it!
After determining the cause of the squeak, it’s time to get your hands dirty and start working. These easy yet efficient DIY methods will help you repair your creaky wood flooring.
You can apply a lubricant to lessen the loose wood floor caused by friction between the floors. Cover the area with baby powder, baking soda, or powdered graphite, then use a gentle brush to massage it into the seams. This will lessen the move by forming a thin coating between the boards that enables smooth sliding against one another. To keep your floors safe and clean, don’t forget to use a handheld vacuum to remove any remaining oil.
You may use wood screws to secure the boards. After finding the place, drill pilot holes in the wood to prevent splitting before driving in the screws. This procedure is especially useful if the squeak is caused by boards rubbing against each other or a fixing nail.
Sometimes there is a gap between the floor and the subfloor. In such circumstances, a shim, or thin piece of wood, can be used to close the gap and support the floor. Apply a little quantity of construction glue to the shim and place it in the gap. If it doesn’t fit readily, gently tap it in place with a hammer.