Permanent Fix For Floor Squeaks, by Home Rapid Repair on YouTube. 4 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Find the exact squeak from above. Have someone walk slowly on the floor while you listen below, or mark the spot on the ceiling of the crawlspace.
Put on safety glasses and set up a light. Check that the joists and subfloor are dry and sound before you start.
Look for gaps between the subfloor and the joist. A squeak often comes from boards moving up and down against the joist.
Run a bead of wood glue into the gap where the subfloor meets the joist. Push the floor down slightly from above so the glue spreads into the joint.
Drive construction screws up through the subfloor into the floorboards at the squeak. Keep them close to the joist so the boards pull tight.
Cut a short piece of 2x2 wood as a cleat. Glue and screw it to the side of the joist so it presses up against the loose subfloor.
Wipe off excess glue with a damp cloth before it dries. Let the glue set for the time on the bottle.
Walk the floor again to check the squeak is gone. Add another screw or cleat if any movement remains.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not overdrive screws from below or they can break through the top of the floor.
Check for pipes and wires running through the joists before you drill or screw.
Glue alone works best on small gaps, but screws or a cleat hold better on wide ones.
Work with a helper above so you can confirm each squeak is fixed as you go.
Questions
Can I fix a squeaky floor without access underneath?
Yes, but the method changes. From above you usually screw through the finished floor into the joists or use a squeak repair kit, which leaves small holes you fill afterwards.
What if the squeak comes back?
It often means the subfloor is still moving. Add more screws along the joist or a longer cleat, and check for a joist that has shrunk or pulled loose.
Do I need special screws?
No. Standard construction screws about 2 inches long work well. Avoid drywall screws, which snap easily in wood.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
