Have you ever noticed a squeaking sound from your wooden floorboard whenever you pass through a certain spot? Whether it’s in your dining room or some place in your bedroom. You might brush it off as “just old wood.”
These squeaky sounds aren’t just from old hardwood flooring; they’re often signals of much deeper issues with your home’s condition and structure. If you keep ignoring those creaks, they’re going to cost you in the long run, and come back with more serious and major structural issues. You may end up needing floor repairs in your subfloor, hardwood flooring in Snohomish, or the overall integrity of your flooring system.
Here’s a look at some common causes of these squeaks and how to resolve them.
Reasons Why Your Wood Floor Squeaks
When a hardwood floor installation and alignment are done right, there is no reason for it to squeak or make any kind of noise. Hardwood flooring offers a smooth and quiet walking experience unless the boards are rubbing against each other. This can happen because:
Wear & Tear: As floors age and tolerate excessive traffic, the board planks shift and nails loosen, increasing friction and space between boards.
Seasonal Shifts: Natural wood is prone to expansion and contraction as the temperature and humidity level change, making squeaky and strange sounds.
Improper Installation: If the original wood floor installation wasn’t done accurately, gaps and friction points lead to persistent squeaks.
Loose Subflooring: Over time, with daily wear or moisture, the subfloor weakens and separates from the floorboard as nails and fasteners loosen.
What These Reasons Could Mean
If this squeaking sound is only heard in a single spot or room, then it might be because of a subfloor shift or mild separation. However, if creaks or other noises can be heard from different rooms when stepped upon, then it could be an indication that the solid wood flooring is aging. All this can be caused by:
- Moisture Buildup
- Subfloor Instability
- Old wood finishing
- Insufficient underlayment
Why DIY Fixes Are Bad For Hardwood Floors
When you notice a squeaking sound, the first thing you do is Google “hardwood floor repair hacks.” Among them some of the most common might sound like sprinkling baby powder or talcum powder in cracks, placing heavy rugs or furniture, or even hammering screwing directly through the boards.
These hacks might seem helpful at first, but they don’t fix the actual problem. In some cases, they can even make things worse, especially if the squeaks are due to damaged boards, loose nails, or a warped subfloor.
DIY methods are often ineffective because they focus on surface-level fixes instead of solving the root problem.
Ways to Fix Squeaky Floors Before Time Runs Out
Lubricate Minor Gaps
You can use a dry lubricant like powdered graphite or talcum powder between boards to fix minor squeaks in your hardwood floor repair. This will solve the issue temporarily, but if the squeaking keeps recurring, you may have to call a professional.
Tighten Loose Floorboards
If there is a gap between your hardwood floor refinishing in Bellevue, then you can gently nail or screw the wood planks down. However, be careful, a small mistake in the tongue-and-groove system can damage your wood flooring. That’s why it’s safer to call a professional.
Refinish Aged Floors
Over time, hardwood flooring may begin squeaking because of excessive wear and shifting boards, which can indicate surface wear or finish breakdown. A professional wood floor refinishing service can restore the surface with sanding and sealing.
Reinforce the Subfloor
If the squeaking sound is coming from the movement between subflooring and joists, then it would require access from below (e.g., a basement). For this, call Seattle flooring contractor who can diagnose and fix the issue properly without making a mess.
Call a Professional
If you want a lasting solution to your squeaking boards, then you’ll have to hire an expert in hardwood refinishing or wood floor installation. Professionals can assess everything from board condition to subfloor movement with advanced tools and effective results.
Local Experts Can Help You Fix It for Good
Five Star Hardwood Floor is a reputable name in the Greater Seattle area, known for its fast and dependable hardwood flooring in Kirkland. They aim to identify the root cause of your flooring before suggesting any solution or method.
Their processes are extremely transparent and open to clients to improve communication and productivity with feedback implementations that are only approved by the clients. With this customer-centric approach, they also offer tailored packages according to your specific flooring needs.
A local expert with more knowledge of structural design and issues in Seattle will be able to guide you better with quality flooring services that can last without unnecessary replacements.
Final Thought
Squeaky sounds from your hardwood refinishing in Seattle might seem like a minor issue at first, but there is often a deeper structural issue involving floorboards, nails, fasteners, or joists. Addressing these issues early on through professional help is a smart choice.
Five Star Hardwood Floor specializes in everything from wood floor installation in Redmond and wood floor repair in Seattle to waterproofing to protect your home from future damage.
Call us to book a home inspection today and address all the issues before it’s too late.