Creaking floorboards are especially annoying if you are trying not to disturb someone who is sleeping.  Unfortunately, it is something that gets worse over time.  Although a squeaking floor can be very annoying, most people choose to ignore the problem.  Such an issue is usually ignored because it is hard to see the floorboards, and therefore not easy to correct the problem.  When walking across a carpeted floor and you hear a creaking sound, it is from the subfloor underneath.  Sub floors can be constructed of wood planks, plywood, or chip board that have been laid over the floor joists.

Types of House Floorboards

In general, homes in the UK have concrete floors downstairs usually in the form of concrete beams and blocks.  Timber floors are usually used upstairs.  In fact, this has been the standard since the Victorian era.

Get access to the problem area.  For example, carpet can be pulled back to reveal the creaking floorboards.  Or laminate could be carefully removed to reveal your creaking floorboards.

How to Stop Floorboards from Creaking

This guide will help you identify the root cause of your creaking floor, so you can solve it as quickly as possible.  The main reason floorboards become creaky is because the nails which secure them can become loose.  There are many other reasons why floor boards become loose and creak, such as:

Wood Shrinkage

Wood shrinkage around the nails over time is a common cause of floorboard creaking.  Shrinkage could also cause problems with pipes and cables that run through your floorboards, especially if there is not enough clearance on the holes.

Wood floorboards can also expand if they are allowed to soak up excess moisture.  Expansion of your wood subfloor will cause it to buckle, and therefore creak due to rubbing.  Ideally your floor should have been installed with some expansion space.  Expansion of your floorboards can be avoided by using a moisture resistant underlay for your carpets or laminate flooring.  Or you could even install marine ply floorboards which is thermally stable, and resistant to moisture.

Splitting of wooden sub floors is typically a moisture related problem.  It happens when wood dries.  As a wooden sub floor expands and contracts, it forces the securely attached boards to move, therefore splitting at the points where they are fixed with nails or screws.  If you do have a split floor board ensure your replace it.  When replacing it, you need to make sure there is a slight gap around your board, so it can expand.

Warped Floor Boards or Joists

Joists can become warped over time due to house movement.  Warping of joists can create a gap between the joist and subfloor boards.  Therefore, stepping on this board makes a banging noise as it bends downwards.  Warped floor boards also have a similar result, as a gap is created.  Another reason for warping can be moisture entering the wood.