A squeaky floor can drive you mad.
It usually starts with one little creak when you walk across the room, and before long you are avoiding that part of the floor altogether.
The good news is that a squeaky floor does not necessarily mean there is anything seriously wrong.
In fact, most squeaks are fairly common and can often be fixed.
Why do wood floors squeak in the first place?
Simply put, squeaks happen when something moves that should not.
Usually, that means:
- Wood rubbing against wood
- Boards moving against fixings
- Flooring moving against the subfloor
- Movement between the subfloor and joists
That movement creates friction, and friction creates noise.
Loose floorboards
This is probably the most common cause we see in older properties around Taunton and Somerset.
Over time:
- Nails can work loose.
- Timber can shrink slightly.
- Boards can lift away from the joists.
When you step on the board, it moves slightly and creates that familiar squeak.
The older the property, the more common this becomes.
Seasonal movement
Wood is a natural product and it moves throughout the year.
During winter:
- Heating dries the air out.
- Timber shrinks slightly.
- Small gaps can appear.
During summer:
- Humidity rises.
- The timber expands again.
A certain amount of movement is completely normal, and some floors will become noisier at certain times of year.
Problems with the subfloor
Sometimes the noise isn’t coming from the flooring itself.
It can be coming from underneath.
Common causes include:
- Loose floorboards underneath
- Movement in plywood or chipboard subfloors
- Fixings working loose over time
- Minor movement in joists
This is why finding the exact source of the squeak is important before attempting repairs.
Poor installation
This can happen when:
This can happen if:
- Expansion gaps have not been left
- The wrong underlay has been used
- The subfloor was not flat enough
- The flooring was not fixed correctly
Most modern wood floors are very quiet when installed properly.
Are squeaks more common with certain types of flooring?
Yes, they can be.
Victorian floorboards
These are probably the biggest culprit.
Many older homes in Somerset have suspended timber floors that naturally have a little movement in them.
A few creaks are simply part of the character of an older house.
Floating engineered floors
These can sometimes develop squeaks when:
- The subfloor is not flat enough
- Debris was left underneath during installation
- The boards are not fully supported
Solid wood flooring
Solid timber naturally expands and contracts more than engineered flooring, which can occasionally lead to movement noises.
Can squeaky floors be fixed?
In many cases, yes.
Depending on the cause, repairs may include:
- Re-securing loose boards
- Adding extra fixings
- Repairing the subfloor
- Addressing movement issues
- Improving support underneath
The important thing is to diagnose the cause properly first.
When should you worry?
Most squeaks are simply annoying rather than serious.
However, it is worth investigating if you notice:
- Significant movement underfoot
- Large gaps appearing
- Sudden changes in the floor
- Signs of damp or moisture issues
These can sometimes point to bigger problems that need addressing.
The reality with older homes
This is probably worth saying.
If you live in a Victorian terrace or an older Somerset property, a completely silent floor is not always realistic.
A little creak here and there is often just part of the charm of an older home.
Most people would rather live with the occasional creak than lose original floorboards full of character.
So, should you be worried?
Usually not.
Most squeaky floors can be improved, and many can be fixed completely.
The first step is simply working out what’s causing the noise.
Not sure what is causing your squeak?
We are based in Taunton and work on wood floors across Somerset every week. We specialise in wood flooring maintenance with over 15 years helping homes and businesses across the South West.
If you have a squeaky floor that is driving you up the wall, send us a few clear photos or give us a call and we will happily point you in the right direction.
Get in touch to request your free quote or to ask a question.
No pressure, just straightforward advice based on the floors we see every week.