Creaky, noisy floors are a big nuisance and you may not know what tools you need to fix them.
Fixing, or at least reducing the squeaks and creaks in your floor is a very doable DIY project for most people.
Here are the tools you need to fix creaky floors:
Tools you probably already have to fix a squeaky floor
You likely already have some of the tools you need to stop a floor from squeaking:
- 1” wood screws
- 2” finish nails
- Nail set
- Drill
- ⅛” drill bit
- Philips head screw driver
- Adjustable wrench
One other item you must have before working on your wood floors is a good putty or filler that matches the color of your hardwood floors to fill in any holes you make from screws or nails.
I like ColorPutty products because they are easy to work with and blend multiple colors together if needed.
ColorPutty will harden but remain flexible so it won’t dry out and crumble out of the hole.
Tools to fix creaky wood floors from above
Maybe you don’t have easy access to your floors from below through an unfinished basement or crawl space.
Don’t worry! There are tools and methods you can use to eliminate squeaky floors from above.
Using finish nails to fix creaky floors
Using 2” finish nails and a hammer you can nail down wood flooring boards that are moving and causing squeaks. Be sure to only nail along the joists that support your floor.
A nail set can then be used to hide the top of the nail below the surface of your flooring.
Then use putty or filler to hide the nail hole.
Try the “Squeeeeek No More”® breakaway screw kit for wood floors
This breakaway screw kit is a great buy to help solve creaky floor problems. Screws have much better holding power than nails and don’t have to be used over joists.
The “Squeeeeek No More”® includes unique breakaway screws and a special plastic fixture that will automatically snap off the screw slightly below the top of your floorboards so you can then cover the hole with putty.
You will need to use your drill and a ⅛” drill bit with this kit.
You can use baby powder or WD-40 to fix squeaky boards in your floor
Ok, this sounds a little weird – but you can actually try using baby powder or even WD-40 to stop some wood floors from squeaking.
This tip really only works if you have two or more boards that are moving and rubbing against each other. It may be that this movement and friction is the source of your squeak.
Baby powder or WD-40 can act as a lubricant and stop these boards from making noise. Be careful to wipe up any excess lubricant after working it into the edges of the boards that are squeaking. You don’t want anyone to slip!
Tools to fix squeaky floors over carpet
Do you have a creaking floor covered in carpet? I can tell you right now that the carpet isn’t the issue – your squeaking and creaking noises are coming from your subfloor.
Fortunately, there is a “Squeeeeek No More”® breakaway screw kit for carpeted floors that includes everything you need except a drill to find the joists underneath your carpeted floor and fasten breakaway screws to your subfloor that will be hidden safely under your carpet.
Tools to fix squeaky wood floors from below
The best way to fix a squeaky wood floor is usually from below if you have access to your floors through an unfinished basement or crawl space.
You can often see the movement and source of your squeaks from below while having someone walk on them above.
These are the tools and methods you can use to fix creaky floors from below:
Use wood screws to stop movement that causes squeaky floors.
If you suspect there are areas in your flooring where there is space or air between your subfloor and floor boards you can try driving 1” wood screws into your subfloor from below to tighten these areas and stop the movement that causes squeaks.
Use wood blocks or shims to stop creaky wood floors
While looking at your floors from below you may notice there are areas where there is a gap between your subfloor and the joists that support them.
When people walk on this area there will likely be movement that causes the creaks and squeaks that you hear.
Screw wood blocks on either side of your joists to support your subfloor or insert wood shims into the smaller spaces above your joists. It will help to use construction adhesive along the joists to help secure them.
Try the Squeak-Ender product to eliminate noise in your wood flooring
An inexpensive fastener kit called the Squeak-Ender will help you to tighten your subfloor to your joists to stop the movement that causes squeaks.
You may need several of these kits depending on how wide spread your squeak issue is. You’ll also need a Phillips head screw driver and adjustable wrench to install this kit.
Take the next step to your perfect floor
In order to fix your creaky floor you first have to identify where the squeak is coming from.
Movement is what causes wood floor squeaks.
Once you find out where the movement is happening you will have a good idea which method and tools to use to make that noise go away.
I’ve written a comprehensive DIY guide to solving wood floor and carpeted flooring squeaks. I go through each of the tools listed here and tell you step-by-step how to use them.
Read the post here: “How to Fix Squeaky Floors: The Ultimate DIY Resource Guide”.
Have a question, or comment about this article? Let me know, I read them all!