Squeaky wood flooring ‘can be fixed’

The reason behind squeaky wood floors is usually dryness contracting the material and the issue is relatively simple to fix, according to one DIY expert.

Responding to a reader query in the Boston Globe, columnist Peter Hotton revealed that squeaks are caused when dried-out wood floors are walked on, causing the wood to rub against the nails.

"The cure is to get the floors (top floor and subfloor) tightly together and tightly on the joists (the beams underneath), so they won't move," he said.

His advice is increasingly important in the light of comments from flooring expert Robin Jeffers, who claimed that many homeowners are turning to solid wood flooring due to its durability and aesthetics.

Mr Hotton also recommended that repairs to squeaky wood floors be performed underneath the surface, with tapered shims of wood or plastic.

However, for those with no under-floor access there are also a range of other methods, including specially-designed kits featuring headless screws, which are driven in to boards to create small holes.
 

By Alan Wicks

Date : 06/09/2010
Category: Solid Wood flooring news