Can’t put up with that creaking floorboard any longer? The sound you’re hearing means a board isn’t firmly attached anymore, causing the pieces of timber to move and rub together. The good news is that this is easy to fix over a weekend, and you won’t need any specialist tools, either… Here’s a crash course in how to fix squeaky floors.
Read more: 10 things you need to know before starting a DIY project
How to fix squeaky floors in a weekend:
You will need:
- Pincers or claw hammer
- Drill
- Countersink attachments
- Screws
1. Find the loose piece
Work out which board is loose (and causing the squeak) by walking on it to see if there’s an area that moves. Then, before following step 2 or 3, you need to do two things. First, take out the old nails from the squeaky board with pincers or a claw hammer. Second, before doing any drilling, look underneath the board for underfloor cables and pipes. If you spot any, mark their position on the board in pencil so you won’t hit them while drilling. You can also use an electronic pipe-and-cable detector to do this.
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2. If the board is still in good condition…
If the board looks good, and the nail holes are still in good condition, using a drill, simply screw the board back down into the existing nail holes. Screws will pull the board down tighter and are easier to remove if you want to lift the boards again.
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3. For damaged boards…
If the board is in good condition, but it’s not possible to use the existing holes because they’re worn out, you’ll need to drill new pilot holes. Find a new spot near the edge of the board that isn’t damaged and drill a hole. You’ll probably need to countersink the screw so the head is flush, and doesn’t stick out, when you drill it in.
If you need to entirely replace a split or damaged board, look for a replacement board from an area where the floorboards aren’t exposed before following the steps for drilling new pilot holes.
For a step-by-step guide on how to countersink a screw (essential when knowing how to fix squeaky floors), watch this quick tutorial:
Top tip: Still got a little squeak after fixing down the board? Try sprinkling a little talcum powder along the joint line and work it in using a knife.
