subject: How To Repair A Squeaky Floor [print this page] Thousands of Australians buy a new home, only to discover that it has squeaky floors. Although it might not seem like a huge deal, it can actually be very aggravating. It's surprisingly easy to find out what's causing that noisy problem, though - and the solution might be easier than you imagined.
What Causes A Floor To Squeak?
There are a few different possible causes for a squeaky floor. A pest infection Brisbane will sometimes uncover the underlying causes; otherwise, you might have to get in there and take a closer look for yourself.
Shrinkage - When wood floorboards aren't seasoned properly, they can shrink. If this occurs, the boards may become loose and wiggle when pressure is applied causing squeaking.
Floor Not Cramped Properly - When floorboards aren't cramped the right way, movement can occur between the boards. As they move against one another, that annoying squeak occurs.
Floor Too Dry When Laid - In the event the wooden floorboards are excessively dry, there is a possibility that they will retain some moisture from their surrounding area. As they accrue this moisture, they expand and bounce up. This is a major problem that usually requires a complete relaying of the boards.
Gaps In The Floor - Gaps - either between the joists and the floorboards or between the joists and the bearers - can allow movement that creates a squeaky sound.
Insufficiently Supported Bearers - If the bearers aren't supported properly by the piers, they can allow enough extra space for floorboards to squeak.
Repairing Squeaky Floors: Wedging
The most common technique for dealing with a squeaky floor is called wedging. Get beneath the floorboards and check to see if there are any gaps. Pay special attention for gaps between the piers and the bearers. If you see any, remedy the situation by packing up the gap with damp-roof course material or fibre cement. For larger gaps, install wedges to make up for the difference.
Sometimes, you may have to rebuild the pier. This is usually necessary when a pier has been installed on very dry clay soil that has settled. In this case, you'll need to remove the wedges and reinstall the piers so that they are deeper and more stable.
Otherwise, use specialised screws like nailing or wood screws to prevent squeaky floors. You may have to improvise a little bit to achieve the desired results.
