Why Does Flooring Creak?

If you have laminate floors that are creaking, the most apparent reason is an uneven subfloor. A flooring expert can rectify the issue by lifting and levelling your subfloor. However, extreme moisture or humidity room can cause swelling and some laminate materials also expand, so it is highly recommended to have a 10mm expansion gap. 

For solid wood flooring, creaking is often caused by uneven subfloors or awry underlay installation. In addition, the wrong type of underlay established underneath a solid wood floor can lead to a squeaking sound when you walk in. Hiring a flooring professional is best recommended to repair the subfloor or the underlay. They may also distinguish other possible issues that may be causing the problem. Furthermore, too much moisture can also be the cause of creaking. Solid wood naturally absorbs water; however, too much moisture and changes in humidity can tend boards to expand and shrink. During installation, let your solid wood adapt or familiarize to a climate or temperature different from that which is natural or it is also known as acclimatizing. This process allows an appropriate time for your floor to habituate to your home. However, even after acclimatization, your floor will still shrink and expand as the climate and temperature change; there will be a tendency to hear creaking sounds. The solution is to leave an expansion gap on the floor to have enough space when the boards expand to prevent creaks and squeaky noise. So if you ought to use solid wood for your flooring, take extra precautions when installing the subfloor or underlay, or better yet, get professional installers to do it to ensure they are placed correctly to avoid issues in the future. 

The foundation or structural problems are the most severe cause of floorings squeak. A foundation moves and settles as time goes by due to different factors such as expansive soils or humidity or moisture. Unfortunately, your flooring and subflooring do not constantly adapt appropriately to these changes. If your foundation shifts, the floor may start creating creaking sounds due to the cracked floor joists or flooring pieces rubbing together and could loosen nails in the subfloor that secure it. Floor joists are placed underneath your floor and subfloor, which help make up the framework of your floor. Contractors can adequately block the floor joists at different points to make them more secure and stable. 

If your foundation settles improperly, not only will your floors creak, but you will more likely damage the sub-floors and other structural problems. If you think you have a foundation or structural damage, get a professional to solve the issue as soon as possible.

Finally, one of the many reasons floors creak is improper installation and poor quality. For example, a squeaking noise may eventually happen if the subfloor is uneven and carelessly installed and has bumps, damage or defects. Subfloors must securely attach to the floor joist with nails or glues. Hiring professional and licensed installers such as our team at One Step Floors is essential when installing new floors to prevent this problem.