Squeaky Floors: Flooring Or Foundation Issue?

What causes creaky floors in your Portland area home? We’ve all heard the sound of a creaking, squeaky floor even if not in our own home. Perhaps, it was at an Christmas gathering at Grandma’s house or in the Hollywood District’s latest renovated restaurant. Why do floors squeak when you walk on them? Are squeaky floors a reason to worry? What could cause floors to give, bounce, or creak? Most of the time the answer lies within the crawl space of your home. Just like Spring cleaning and necessary house maintenance your crawl space needs attention, too. Here we will outline a few of the causes of creaking floors, how to correct floors that squeak, and what to consider if you are also experiencing uneven, bouncy floors.

There are many reasons hardwood flooring squeaks, and sometimes a hardwood flooring professional or carpenter can provide a quick fix for your squeaky problem if:

·       Incorrect nails were used.

·       Nails were inadequately fitted.

·       Swelling and shrinking of wood flooring occurs due to weather changes.

·       Space exists between the flooring and the subfloor.

·       A floorboard is loose or detached.

The movement in loose floorboards, due to shrinking and swelling, incorrect nails, and spacing beneath the flooring, can cause boards to rub together or rub a neighboring floor joist or nail. This is one of the many examples of why you may hear the noise referred to as creaking or squeaking.

It is common that the first attempt and sometimes multiple attempts at flooring repairs do not correct the creaking in your floors. If the initial quick fix does not fix the problem, the problem could be bigger, like the settlement of the soil in the crawl space.

You may also notice other telltale signs in the interior of your home, aside from squeaky floors, that point to possible settlement and other issues going on in your crawl space:



·       Uneven floors

·       Drywall cracks or separation

·       A new space between the baseboard and flooring

·       Doors that stick, or doors that no longer open and close correctly

·       Sinking, sloping floors

·       A new hump in the floor

·       Bouncy floors, soft floors, or floors that give

The good news is there’s a solution for the creaking, squeaking floor. And, if that solution involves the need for floor support, Foundations First Northwest LLC is the one to call. Foundations First Northwest LLC installs adjustable steel support posts that include a 20-year warranty.

If you are wondering how to fix squeaky floors in your home, you can count on Foundations First Northwest LLC! Your squeaking floors are more than an annoyance and if you see other potential signs of settlement like uneven floors or drywall cracking, call Foundations First Northwest LLC today for more information on warrantied adjustable floor supports and on restoring the integrity to your floors and your home. Give Foundations First Northwest LLC a call today to set up a free inspection. 503-719-7548