When The Floorboards Creak And Squeak
Creaking wooden floorboards can be annoying. It is all the more liberating when the ground is finally calm again.
On the trail of the floorboards creaking
Before you start looking for clues, one fundamental question must be clarified: What kind of floorboards do I have in my apartment and how are they attached?
Two types of fastening are common for solid wood floorboards: They are either nailed or screwed. Loose nails or nails that have rusted through can be the first reason why the floorboards are not quite firmly in place, causing them to creak. Re-tacking the nails can help in the short term but is usually not a permanent solution. Then it might be wise to remove the nails and screw the planks in place instead.
Since floorboards are about 24-28 millimeters thick, the wood screws should be at least three times as long. However, it is also possible that the creaking has other causes, for example, cracks or breaks in entire floorboards. Then the floor must be replaced in whole or in part.
Necessity is the mother of invention – hands-off construction foam
Blanket recommendations for the creaking problem are difficult. Much depends on which materials are used and how. Is it, for example, solid wood floorboards or multi-layer country house floorboards? Is it softwood or oak? Is there already step protection or not?
If you are looking for a quick fix yourself, you may end up with not only a creaking but also a broken floor. A common solution on the internet is construction foam. Simply drill a few holes in the floorboards yourself and inject construction foam and the creaking should have stopped.
But beware! Too much construction foam will cause the floor to heave. And the dosage is not easy. In addition, construction foam becomes brittle again after a while and the creaking is back.
Read also: How Patio Lighting affects your Home Atmosphere
Real solutions only from real professionals
So if despite all the measures, the plank clutter doesn’t go away, then more complex solutions are needed – for example, an additional structure under the floor covering. Because it can prevent the floorboards from springing too much and creaking as a result.
It is also advisable to think about an impact noise underlay, which compensates for unevenness in the floor and under which the annoying noises are silenced. And if the floor is already exposed, other modernization measures are also conceivable, such as installing underfloor heating.
It is therefore advisable to obtain an expert opinion. Calabrese Denver flooring company provides professional solutions for your hardwood floor issues. An expert’s professional opinion prevents consequential damage that can quickly occur which can be far more annoying than the squeaking and creaking of the floorboards.