Beginner’s Preparation For A Quieter Future

I’ve heard it all too often. You’re tip-toeing around your home, suddenly... SQUEAK! Out from the blue, your hardwood floor declares itself to anyone within a hundred-yard radius. Fear not fellow home enthusiasts, the fix is easier than you think. Today, I’m sharing how to silence those potentially embarrassing squeaks.

What’s Making that Noise?

First things first, let’s grapple with the root cause of the squeaks heard around the world. It's no secret that wood contracts and expands. When hardwood floor planks rub against each other or the nails holding them in place, the eerily familiar squeaky sound is born. In older houses, a wedged in subfloor may also be the culprit.

Now you know the “what” and the “why”, let’s roll up our sleeves, and get into the “how”.

Simplest Approach: The Squeak No More Kit

Living up to its name, the Squeak No More Kit is a pretty straightforward solution to those pesky noisy boards. There's no mystery in this kit; it contains specially designed screws, a pilot hole bit, and a device to break off the head of each screw when you're finished. The aim is to secure the floorboards to the joists, stopping the annoying concert happening under your feet.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Locate the joist where the squeaking is originating from. This might take some listening and tapping, but you’re a detective on a mission.
2. Drill a pilot hole using the provided bit.
3. Drive the uniquely designed screw into the pilot hole.
4. Use the device to break off the head of the screw.

Voila! You’ve silenced the squeak. This method is impressively effective, but remember, there's a tiny screw headless hole. You can easily camouflage the hole using a filler or wood putty.

Plan B: Carpeted Floors

If your hardwood floor squeaks have a comfortable carpet shielding them, don’t worry, your peace isn’t out of reach. You just need an extra bit of kit - a carpet repair kit.

Steps to Squeak-Free Carpeted Floors

1. Identify the joist responsible for the squeak – place heavy books on different spots to see where the noise ceases.
2. Choose the right screw length for your carpet, typically a 2-inch screw works wonders.
3. Use the depth control fixture to install the screw without causing any damage to the carpet.
4. Use the fixture guide tube to drive the screw through the carpet, down into the joist.
5. Finally, remove the guide tube, and your screw should be invisible to the naked eye. But most importantly, you’ve silenced the mouse in your floor.

The Sweeping Technique

Still hear that audio annoyance? Then you might be dealing with a case of floorboards rubbing against each other. A quick fix might be just sweeping some talcum powder, baking soda or graphite powder between the boards. It often creates a barrier and minimizes the noise.

Putting An End to the Floor Chatter

Prop up a floorboard gently, sprinkle copious amounts of your chosen powder, and then sweep it into the cracks. Keep in mind, this trick might turn into a regular chore as walking will eventually remove the lubricant, so keep your powder handy!

Look at that, we’ve covered your DIY floor silencing solutions. Remember: patience and proper identification of the squeak source are your best friends. It’s always advisable to take a breather and re-evaluate, if you're not winning the battle against the squeak.

Thank You for Tuning into Our Soundproofing Seminar

Congratulations! You’ve arrived at the other side of squeaky floors. Silence is a precious luxury, and you've taken successfully steps towards preserving it. Your home can now transform from a noisy woodwind concert to a harmonious symphony of silence. Here's to homes that only speak when spoken to, and to the end of those surprise squeaks. It's been my pleasure walking alongside you on this journey, team. Onwards to the next DIY adventure!