Asked on Feb 20, 2015
How can I stop wooden hardwood floors from squeaking when I walk?
by
Syllee1
+9
The floors have shrunk with age and wakes people up if I am near a bedroom.
10 answers
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I have original floors from 1959 on both levels of my home. The first floor I can get to some of the rooms for underneath and I have added some shims between the 2 x 10's and the floorboards if there was wiggle room. On the upper level if there are gaps between any of the boards I sprinkle talcum powder and try to get it between the boards. This will help with the squeaks. Otherwise you just call it character! And my kids can't sneak in at night! hahaha
Tracy
on Feb 20, 2015
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Baking powder :-)
The Rozy Home
on Feb 20, 2015
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Baby powder.
Katie
on Feb 20, 2015
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I have brand new hardwoods and they squeak everywhere. What, sprinkle powder everywhere?
Its1080909
on Feb 21, 2015
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I read to sprinkle baby powder and sweep it into the little cracks between the boards. But, looks like when you vacuum it up, it would come out of the cracks. :(
Gay1277049
on Feb 21, 2015
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Years ago Talcum powder was used and I do believe the powder would seep under the boards as well as in between them so vacuuming the floor would gather up what is between some but not what is under the boards. Talcum/baby powder would be a better try than baking powder as it is cheaper. Worth a try I think. . .:)
Janet Manger
on Feb 21, 2015
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Powder not helping. Just makes a mess. Any other suggestions?
Syllee1
on Feb 21, 2015
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If a sub flooring was used, perhaps the plywood under the boards are causing the squeeking noise as the worn wood passes the nails in the plywood as it is stepped on. The use of talcum powder puts a silicone coating between the boards and also the boards and nails. Short of tearing up the wooden flooring and using screws and or replacing the sub-flooring with cured plywood to prevent as much shrinking, keep using the powder. It will work it's way down, but it will be a very slow process. It is an annoyance, but isn't that the beauty of wooden floors? You know when the kids are sneaking in at night. Refrigerator raids are known, and when the TV is turned off and the guests or kids go to bed you'll know. Now if you lived in a really old house, you'd know when the wind blows also. When I have replaced my upstairs room carpeting, I take a box of wooden screws, and an electric drill, talcum powder and re fasten the plywood and coat the cracks between the boards. It works. Make sure the powder has talcum powder in it to give it a lubrication coating.
John
on Feb 21, 2015
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@Syllee1: Your hardware store has angle brackets exclusively for this purpose. The thing is that you need access to the underside of the floor. They are screwed to the floorboards and the joists, and solve the problem everywhere they can be used.
Rene S.
on Feb 22, 2015
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There is a specific type of nail to use for this. The head breaks off, lodging the nail in and drawing the flooring and underlayment together. Then cover small hole with wood putty and finish
Jean Blakeley-Cook
on Feb 22, 2015
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