One of the most common concerns we hear from Plano homeowners is that they’re worried there’s something seriously wrong with their hardwood floors because the planks are squeaky. But what really causes these annoying sounds, and are they always indications of an urgent problem?
The hardwood experts at Floor Coverings International® of are here to reassure you that squeaky floorboards are not necessarily an indication of serious problems with the hardwood floor in your home. Rather, squeaky floors can be the result of many different environmental factors – some of which can be anticipated and avoided, and some of which are just a natural part of using wood for floors. Read on to discover more about squeaky hardwood floors and what you should do about them.
Humidity & Wintertime Contraction
This is at the very top of the list because it’s easily the most common cause of squeaky hardwood floors. Whether your floors are made of the most common variety of hardwood (red oak) or something totally exotic, seasonal temperature changes will affect the moisture content of the wood. Especially in the winter, cold air will cause the planks to dry out and they’ll literally shrink, which causes extra space for things to move around and make noise.
So what can you do about it? You can try to control the humidity level in your house by keeping the interior heated, but this may not be practical for everyone. Another simple measure you can take is to opt for a floating floor without nails, since wintertime contraction around nails is one of the main causes of seasonal squeaking. Either way, this isn’t a major issue and you needn’t rush for help.
Improper Installation
This is why you should always leave hardwood installation to the professionals! If someone installed your hardwood floor and did a bad job nailing or spacing the planks, they’re likely to move around and rub against each other, causing a more serious genre of squeaking. There are ways of resolving these squeaks without tearing up the whole floor, and it’s a good idea to address the issue before it leads to buckling. How can you tell if the problem is installation related? The squeaking will always be in the same spots, year-round.
Subfloor Issues
These are the most difficult squeaks to diagnose since you need to get under the floor to figure out if there’s a problem. You might have a subfloor issue if there’s one main problem area that won’t stop creaking. The issue here is that there’s a poor connection between the joists and the subfloor – but the good news is that someone who knows what they’re doing can easily resolve these squeaks.
Flooring Done Right
Get in touch with the experts at Floor Coverings International® of , and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having professionals install your hardwood floors. We serve the greater area, and we’re always happy to bring our mobile showroom straight to you so that you can check out samples, ask questions, and enjoy a free, no obligation consultation. Get started today!
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- Top 5 Advantages of Hardwood Floors
- How to Maintain Your Hardwood
- Keeping Up With the Trends: Hardwood Flooring
Photo Credit: © Stefano Garau © bane.m © Zastolskiy Victor
