Squeaky Hardwood Floors

[Jeff Bulach]

Hi,

I am having problems with squeaky hardwood floors. I am applying the baby power treatment and it works in some cases. It appears to me that these floor have been neglected for many a year.

We bought the house 2 years age and it has been a problem since then.

Is there any solution I can apply, that world inject moisture back into it, ie liquid wax etc..

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Jeff

[Nick Hull]

One of the classic squeaky floor solutions is to tap a small nail between the joist and the floor to take up a small gap. You need a helper squeaking the floor so you can find the exact spot.

[Des Perado]

It is often the subfloor that is the cause of the squeaks. Des

then.

[Turandot]

Hi Nick,

My floors are squeaking like crazy and it isn't just one spot, half of the floor squeaks. This is our second winter in this house. The 20+ y/o hardwood floors have been abused by previous owners and need to be sanded but that will have to wait.

Other discussions on this subject mention a special type of screw that people use to fix the floor from above but I know it's better to fix it from below. Thing is, I have no idea how to do that.

Below this floor is the unfinished basement. I realize I'll have to take the insulation down to get to the subfloor and that's fine but since a very large part of the floor is squeaking, where do I start from? Do I use nails or screws? What size?

Also, over the years, this floor has sunken in, and that's the area that squeaks the most.

Thanks.

[Turandot]

Bump:

[Art]

The special screws are called Squeeeeek No More (yes, 5 e's) mfd by O'Berry Enterprises, 664 Exmoor Ct., Crystal Lake, IL 60014, (800)

459-8428. They aren't infallible but they sometimes do cure squeeeeeks. They go right through carpet into floor joists, require a power screwdriver, & are pretty easy to use. Brookstone used to sell them but I think now a different catalog outfit sells them.

Art

[Curmudgeon]

Lowe's carries them...and they work great.