How to Fix Creaking Floor Boards
Creaking floor boards are caused by a loosening of the nails that hold down the boards. This allows the boards to move slightly against each other when pressure is applied, causing the creak. There's usually no structural danger to a creaky floor, but it can be annoying. Fixing it is just a matter of pinpointing the loose areas and securing them with wood screws so they no longer move. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Blackboard chalk
- Drill
- Pilot bit
- Screwdriver bit
- 1 1/2-inch wood screws
- Wood putty
- Plastic putty knife
Instructions
-
-
1
Walk over each section of the floor slowly and methodically, listening for the creaking noises. At each point where you find a creaking area, put a mark with a piece of chalk.
-
2
Set up a drill with a pilot bit. Drill a pilot hole at each place there's a chalk mark.
-
-
3
Load the drill with a screwdriver bit. Set a wood screw into each pilot hole you drilled. Drive the head of each screw slightly below the surface, so there's a well of about 1/8 inch above each one.
-
4
Fill each hole with wood putty, pressing it firmly into the hole with a plastic putty knife. Run the flat edge of the knife over the surface, with the grain of the wood, to flatten and smooth it.
-
1
