Hardwood floors are highly desirable by most homeowners. Older homes have a natural flair when they contain hardwood floors. Aesthetically speaking, it’s very nice and definitely increases your homes value. That is, until you start walking around and hear a squeaky sound. Are squeaky floors a structural problem? Squeaky floors are caused by weather changes, gaps in the planks, or even shifting in the flooring.
Let’s take a look at the details involved with how to attack a squeaky floor issue.
What To Do To Fix
Understand that not all squeaky floors are necessarily showing signs of a structural problem and need repair. In fact, many wood floors are meant to shift and move as the climate and moisture change in the home. However, if you experience an annoying scenario, there are some recommended fixes.
- Fill in gaps-you can use shims and carpenters glue to seal any gaps in the wood floor. This reduces any squeaky problems.
- Drive in nails-from above you can drive two nails into the floor joists at 45-degree angles. This locks the flooring in place and should reduce your squeak in those boards.
- Multiple options-lubricant, glue, countersinking nails, and drilling and filling are all additional options for your flooring needs.
Sometimes, you might squeaky floors on a second story under carpet. This is because the plywood underneath has become loose, but it’s not a structural issue.
How Much Does It Cost
Believe it or not, fixing squeaky floors can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more. Squeaky floors do have a home remedy option, but that’s not always the best solution. These home kits can cost up to $30. Also, the accessibility of your flooring is key. If you have underneath access, this allows you to more easily fix the problem. Obviously, accessing a second story floor is not as easy as getting underneath the first floor padding.
Other Recommended Maintenance
While you are learning about how to fix a squeaky floor, it is a good idea to also look into the possibility of laying vinyl flooring over tile. Not every home has wood flooring and understanding if your vinyl flooring has a substrate of tile or solid concrete is a good idea.
Another area to check is your plumbing. There may be a leak somewhere that is causing your flooring to warp. Check your sink first. You want to make sure that the sink trap is not leaking. Additionally, checking under the sink is important as there may be a little water that leaks.
When Do I Call A Professional
When it comes to squeaky floors there are many possible explanations. You should definitely look into a local general contractor that has experience with flooring as the floor itself could have water damage or some form of structural damage. But, you might also have an underlying issue that is not known unless you deal with floors on a regular basis. Using a professional contractor that understands how new and old floors work is your best bet. Also, using a home inspector to go over all structures with a fine-toothed comb is a great idea.
Conclusion
Calling on your local home inspection team is a great idea. They will be able to refer a quality general contractor to assist. In addition to providing you with a great home inspection that covers any and all structural issues. Give Atkinson Inspection Services a call in the Orlando, Clermont, and Villages areas for a home inspection.
