squeaky hardwood floors

[ksgal...@aol.com]

GM.  I have been reading various websites about how to quiet wooden floors that squeak.  The problem is in hallways primarily.   Does anyone know of a solution?   Surely it can't be as easy as putting graphite in between the boards.   Would be nice if it was though.  Thanks. 

Susan Kern,

[marlon]

I had a few squeakers on my stairs. They were accessable from underneath. I went under, drilled holes through the subfloor but not the flooring. The holes were a little larger than the screws. I used thin sheet rock screws. Put screws in to pull the floor boards tight against the sub floor.  Worked fine for a few spots. It has held up for over 12 years now.

 

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From: "ksgal...@aol.com" <ksgal...@aol.com>
To: renov...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 6:06 AM
Subject: {RenovateDSM} squeaky hardwood floors

GM.  I have been reading various websites about how to quiet wooden floors that squeak.  The problem is in hallways primarily.   Does anyone know of a solution?   Surely it can't be as easy as putting graphite in between the boards.   Would be nice if it was though.  Thanks. 

Susan Kern,

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[Porter, Jack [DCA]]

Personally I would not recommend using a substance like graphite or an powder because of the potential to stain the wood. It could be a real mess – especially if I tried it at my home!!!! I can be a real klutz at times so I suggest trying using just plain old floor wax if you can’t do a more permanent fix like Marlon suggested. If the flooring is really loose, perhaps a board or two can be removed and reinstalled after flooring paper has been wedged underneath the offending board?

 

Jack C. Porter

Preservation Consultant

State Historical Society of Iowa

600 East Locust

Des Moines, IA 50319

(515) 242-6152

 

When we build, let us think that we build forever.
Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone.
Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for;
and let us think, as we lay stone on stone,
that a time is to come when those stones will be held
sacred because our hands have touched them,
and that men will say, as they look upon
the labor and wrought substance of them,
“See! This our father did for us.”

    —John Ruskin

 

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From: renov...@googlegroups.com [mailto:renov...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of ksgal...@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 6:07 AM
To: renov...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {RenovateDSM} squeaky hardwood floors

 

GM.  I have been reading various websites about how to quiet wooden floors that squeak.  The problem is in hallways primarily.   Does anyone know of a solution?   Surely it can't be as easy as putting graphite in between the boards.   Would be nice if it was though.  Thanks. 

Susan Kern,

--

[SusanK]

Thanks for the info.  Unfortunately,  I can't access this from underneath.  It was not original flooring and I suspect, it wasn't level underneath in spots.  

Susan Kern

[Bret Andorf]

Who's to say it's the finished floor that is squeaking?  It could very well be the subfloor that is the source.  Before the advent of plywood and osb, subfloors were generally ship lapped 1x6 boards nailed to the joists.  Lots of opportunities for squeaks with all those seams.  The nails loosen over time too, causing squeaks.  No feasible way to fix this issue really.  Squeaky floors are just part of the "charm" of an old house.  We joke that at least no one can sneak up on us in the night!  ;-)

[debey...@aceweb.com]

"Ask This Old House" on IPTV had a segment on squeaking floors recently. I think it can be viewed on the Public TV website.

Deb E.


------- Original Message -------
From : Porter, Jack [DCA][mailto:Jack....@iowa.gov]
Sent : 5/30/2012 8:03:09 AM
To : renov...@googlegroups.com
Cc :
Subject : RE: {RenovateDSM} squeaky hardwood floors

[Bret Andorf]

I saw a segment on that show a few years back.  Tom used a special screw in which the head snapped off just below the surface of the floor and fixed the squeak.  I believe that this system is only intended if you have carpet (which will hide the hole).  I have seen these screws and the special tool required at Menard's.