Although hardwood flooring is built to feel strong and sturdy, eventually even the best floors can start to creak. In Kansas City, temperature and humidity changes throughout the year can cause the wood to shift and potentially develop squeaks. Although there are ways to correct squeaky floors.

If you’re ready to bring peace and quiet back to your home with professional hardwood repair, count on our team at Floor Coverings International® of Metro Southeast Kansas City, MO, for seamless hardwood flooring services.

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Why Do Hardwood Floors Squeak?

If you’ve ever been startled by a loud creak as you cross the room, you’re not alone. Many homes around the Kansas City area develop squeaky floors. But before you grab the tool kit, it helpful to understand what’s really happening in the floors and why the noise started.

Here are the main culprits for hardwood creaks:

  • Seasonal humidity. Kansas City has humid summers and dry winters that can cause natural wood to expand and contract, leading to smaller gaps. With less room between the boards, the friction starts to make rubbing or squeaking sounds.
  • Loose floorboards or nails. Over time, nails or screws may loosen from the subfloor, which allows boards to move slightly as you step over the floor. The friction of the plank moving against the subfloor can cause a squeaking sound.
  • Gaps between the subfloor and joints. If the subfloor pulls slightly from the supporting joints, the movement between the layers can cause creaks.
  • Age and settling. Older Kansas City homes often experience natural settling that shift floors over time. Even small shifts can lead to uneven spots and squeaky sounds.

How to Locate the Creak

Although identifying the source of a squeak may sound straightforward, sounds can echo through the floorboards, and the noise you hear may not always be where the issue is. With a little patience and a careful walkthrough, you can narrow it down to the precise area that needs attention.

Here’s how to find the source of the noise in 4 easy steps:

  1. Walk slowly over the floor to identify where the sound occurs.
  2. Have one person stand on the squeaky area while another listens below (if possible, from the basement or crawl space).
  3. Mark the problem spot with painter’s tape or chalk for reference.
  4. If the sound travels, it may involve multiple boards or joists and not just one loose plank.

At-Home Fixes for Squeaky Floors

How do you stop hardwood floors from creaking? Once you’ve found the noisy spot, there are a few ways you can fix the floors without calling in a professional team. Whether you only recently noticed the creaks or the floors have been noisy for years, a few practical fixes can help make your hardwood quieter.

These are a few common issues and how to fix them:

  • Minor squeaks on finished floors: Baby powder or graphite helps lubricate boards that rub together. You can sweep powder into the seams and walk over the area to spread it out evenly.
  • Exposed joists in basements or unfinished spaces: If accessible from the basement, you can place wood shivs or specialized screws to close the gap between the subfloor and the joists. It's best to tighten just enough to stop the movement since overtightening can cause bulging.
  • Small spaces with consistent squeaks: By using breakaway screws or repair kits, you can drive screws through wood flooring without damaging the surface. This way you can tighten the floorboards to the subfloor and silence the noise.
  • Old wood flooring: You can apply a small amount of wax or powder graphite as a lubricant and help reduce the friction between boards. Gently buff with a soft cloth to work the wax or powder around the edges of the planks.

When to Call a Professional Flooring Team

While several creaks are easy to fix at home, there are times when calling a professional is a smart move. Persistent noise, uneven areas, or older hardwood that’s showing wear can all benefit from a trained eye to identify and solve the issue. Local flooring specialists, like our skilled team, can assess the problem and offer long-term solutions that keep your floors looking and sounding sturdy.

Here are some reasons to turn to trusted professionals:

  • Persistent or widespread squeaks. If large sections of the floor creak, you could have an issue with the subfloor or a structural issue that’s not easily fixed.
  • Hidden damage. Soft floors or a musty odor often indicate hidden issues like mold or rot. A professional eye can identify various issues like water damage, loose nails, or subfloor separation that are harder for most homeowners to catch.
  • Hard-to-reach areas. Since finished basements and crawl spaces make DIY access difficult, it can be simpler to trust the project with experts with the skills to handle the challenge.
  • Planning a refinish or remodel. Having squeaky floors professionally fixed before refinishing or installing new flooring allows you to enjoy sturdy, quiet floors with your new investment.

Make Sure Your Wood Floors Are Silent and Sturdy

While squeaky flooring is a nuisance, it’s not often serious. Once you locate the source, many creaks can be quieted with some patience and simple techniques. For more persistent or hard-to-reach problems, your local flooring experts can address the issue to give you peace, quiet, and long-lasting results.

If you’re ready to stop the creaks and enjoy peaceful, quiet floors again, our team at Floor Coverings International® of Metro Southeast Kansas City, MO, can help! Give us a call at (816) 441-4133 or schedule a free in-home consultation today for seamless flooring services.