How to Remove Creaks in a Wood Floor
- 1). Examine the boards on the floor looking for any nails that may be sticking up out of the floor, even a tiny bit. If any are found, use a hammer to gently pound the nails back down into the floorboard. Sometimes this will be all that is needed to fix your creak.
- 2). Remove the nails from the floorboard and replace the nail with a countersink or chipboard screw that is the same length as the original nail. This will press the floorboard closer to the joist and should solve the creak. If the nails cannot be removed, drill a pilot hole directly next to the nail and drill the screw in. After placing the screws, use a wood compound to fill in the top of the screw so it blends in with the floorboard.
- 3). Examine the joists. If you have access to the joists from below, wedge a wooden shim into the gap between the floorboard and the top of the joist.
- 4). Call a contractor to come in and find the source of your creaking. If the above steps do not fix the creak, it could be a sign of a more serious problem that could need the experience of a professional. Most contractors will come in, find the source of the creaking and offer a free estimate to fix your problem.
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