Squeaky floorboards are one of those household quirks that can go from mildly annoying to seriously frustrating. You might hear them when you’re sneaking to the kitchen late at night or every time someone walks past the living room. It’s one of those sounds that just lingers. Over time, what starts as a small creak can make your home feel older and more worn out than it actually is.
In places like Toronto where older homes are common and weather swings are pretty dramatic, squeaky floors are a frequent issue. They’re not just a noise problem either. Persistent creaking can point to something wrong beneath the surface of your floor. Fixing these squeaks isn’t just good for your ears. It’s good for your home’s structure, comfort, and even resale value. Whether it’s a quick fix or something bigger, tackling squeaky boards improves your space in a big way.
Common Causes Of Squeaky Floorboards
A squeaky board might sound harmless, but the reason behind it usually isn’t that random. There’s almost always a clear cause. Once you figure out what’s going on underfoot, deciding how to fix it becomes a lot easier.
Here are the main reasons squeaky floorboards show up:
- Loose boards: When boards aren’t tightly fastened to the subfloor or joists beneath, they rub against nails or each other. That rubbing causes the signature creaking sound.
- Subfloor movement: In older homes especially, plywood or baseboards beneath hardwood floors can shift slightly over time. When they’re not secured firmly, the resulting movement can create noise on the surface.
- Moisture issues: Wood reacts to changes in humidity. In a place like Toronto, you’ve got dry winters and humid summers. Floors can expand or shrink depending on the season, leaving new gaps and stress points.
- Age and wear: As a home ages, the materials inside naturally start to loosen. Nails pull up slightly, boards weaken, support beams shift. Years of foot traffic tend to wear things down and create movement that leads to squeaky sounds.
If you notice that your floors squeak more during certain times of year, you’re probably hearing the effects of changing humidity. And that’s the kind of signal you don’t want to ignore. It could point toward a deeper issue that gets worse if left unchecked.
DIY Fixes For Squeaky Floorboards
Squeaks in just one small area might be something you can tone down yourself as a short-term solution. With a few basic materials and a bit of time, you can often get rid of some common sources of floor noise. Just keep in mind, these methods usually don’t fix structural problems, and they may come back.
These are the tools and supplies you’ll likely need:
- Wood screws
- Wood shims
- Wood glue (non-expanding)
- Talcum powder or floor lubricant
- Thin felt or padding
- Hammer and nails
- Drill with screwdriver bit
Here’s a simple walkthrough for treating minor squeaks:
1. Find the squeaky spot. Walk slowly through the room and mark the sound. If your home has a basement, it helps to have someone listen from underneath while you walk above.
2. Secure loose boards. Carefully drill screws into the wooden floor to reconnect boards to the subfloor or joists below. Use a drill stop to avoid punching through the wood.
3. Add powder or lubricant. For boards rubbing against each other, sprinkle talcum powder into the floor gaps and walk over them to push the powder in. This can sometimes stop the friction.
4. Try wood shims. If you can reach the floor from below, insert a thin wood shim between a separated subfloor and joist. Tap gently to avoid lifting the structure.
5. Fill cracks. Visible floorboard gaps could be sealed with wood glue or filler, as long as spacing allows. This can reduce side-to-side movement.
Keep in mind, these are more stopgap measures than permanent fixes. They may work well enough for one area but might not solve bigger structural issues. If squeaks are happening in several rooms or are getting louder, it usually means it’s time to look into a more complete and professional solution.
Professional Solutions For Persistent Squeaks
When squeaks refuse to go away or show up in more than one room, that’s a good time to call in professionals. These sounds almost always mean the floor structure isn’t holding together the way it should. Trying DIY methods again and again won’t always fix the problem and could make things worse.
Many squeaks in older Toronto homes come from subtle separation between hardwood boards and the structure beneath. That separation could be caused by years of weather changes or just regular use. A flooring expert has the eye and the tools to figure out what’s off and how best to deal with it.
Here’s what professional service often includes:
- A full inspection to identify loose spots in the subfloor or areas where planks have detached
- Use of stronger fasteners or long-lasting adhesives to prevent future up-and-down movement
- Repairs from underneath using the basement or crawlspace instead of opening the hardwood surface
- Sanding and refinishing the worn sections of floor once the structure is stable again
- Tips for adjusting indoor humidity to keep the fix from being undone later
We’ve even seen examples where a homeowner adds a heavy piece of furniture, and suddenly the floor starts sounding worse. What’s really happening is the added weight is highlighting problems that were already there but hidden. Cases like that nearly always require a deep fix from underneath, which is where a professional can make the biggest difference.
When DIY efforts can’t reach the root of the problem, it’s better to get it properly sorted instead of replaying the same repair over and over. A well-done fix now can save you from spending much more in the long run.
How To Keep Floorboards Quiet Long Term
Rather than waiting for squeaks to start, you can keep your floors in better shape by staying ahead of what makes wood move and loosen in the first place. A few small habits go a long way when it comes to accident prevention and general wear and tear.
Here’s how you can keep things quiet:
- Keep your humidity levels consistent. Wood floors respond to moisture, so using a humidifier in winter and a dehumidifier in summer evens out those changes.
- Use mats and rugs, especially in high-traffic spaces. They reduce pressure on areas where the floor might already be weakening.
- Watch for gaps between boards. Gaps make movement easier and lead to squeaking, so it’s best to catch them early.
- Clean gently but regularly. Moisture tracked in from snow or rain can seep between floorboards and start damage below the surface.
- Schedule a floor check if your place is older. An occasional visit from a pro could catch issues before they grow—and saves way more time and effort than major floor work later.
Living in Toronto means dealing with big seasonal shifts, which your floors feel just as much as you do. A little prevention goes a long way, especially with those temperature swings creating expansion and contraction in the wood throughout the year.
Quiet Floors, Calmer Home
Squeaky floorboards might not seem like a major issue at first, but they have a way of making themselves known. Whether it’s one loose spot or a deeper structural shift, the noise eventually reaches a point where ignoring it just doesn’t work anymore. When the fix is done right, everything feels quieter, smoother, and more solid.
Keeping your floors in good shape helps protect your home’s value and gives you more peace with every step. With regular upkeep and proper moisture control, those floorboards can stay silent for years. Whether your home has just a few noisy planks or needs professional help for something bigger, peace and comfort are always worth the effort.
Ready to tackle the noise issue in your home for good? If floor creaks are getting in the way of your peace and quiet, it might be time for a more permanent fix. Learn how we can help with hardwood floor installation in Toronto to bring lasting comfort and stability to your space. The team at NewRidge Refinishing Group is here to deliver quality solutions that make your home feel solid and sound again.
