What to do if the floor creaks

Having moved into a new house or apartment, few people realize that such a problem as creaking flooring has arisen. After some time, this misunderstanding can significantly darken the joy of moving to a new home. Not only does this unpleasant sound spoil the mood of the new residents, but the coating also begins to wear out faster. Therefore, you need to immediately resolve the issue with the creak. If you do not get rid of the problem in time, then in the future it will turn into an irreversible process.

Why does parquet squeak?

Construction supermarkets offer a wide range of floor coverings. However, most buyers choose well-known parquet. Sometimes he reminds himself of himself with an unpleasant creak. Many owners of such floors are wondering how to get rid of unpleasant sound.

Before eliminating this phenomenon, it is worth determining the causes of parquet squeaking. Let's look at them in more detail:

• Parquet is considered an elite material for flooring. It is made from natural wood, which does not contain any additives. As a result, nothing prevents the evaporation of moisture from the material. It evaporates unevenly, causing cavities to form between the base and the parquet strip. This phenomenon causes the creaking. Over time, dust and crumbs accumulate in these spaces, making the problem worse.
• If the parquet is laid poorly, nails and screws may become loose and come out of their sockets.
• The parquet planks may split.
• Due to the lack of a gap between the coating and the walls, an unpleasant sound is also formed.

Before you begin repairs, you need to find the places where creaking occurs. Mark them, then begin repair work. They are often combined with parquet coating with varnish or wax. This will extend the life of the floor.

Why does laminate flooring squeak?

Laminate is a popular floor covering. However, improper installation can lead to squeaking when walking.

In fact, there may be several reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon:

• The main and most common cause of squeaking is the laying of the coating on a nervous surface. U laminate Of course, there is a lining that prevents unpleasant sound from appearing immediately. But it wears off quickly and then the creaking will not be long in coming.
• Often squeaks appear as a result of poor-quality cleaning of the surface before installation. In this case, the creaking does not appear immediately.
• There should be a gap between the baseboard and the laminate. Otherwise, squeaking cannot be avoided.
• Confusion can occur if the laminate is laid in compliance with all requirements and rules, but is of poor quality.

If you purchased a cheap and bad laminate, then in the near future you will be worried not only by creaking, but also by cracks and crevices in the floor covering.

What to do if the floor creaks

After finding out the cause of the squeak, you can begin to eliminate it. A radical way to combat squeaking is to completely replace the coating. This method is the most expensive and labor-intensive.

Therefore, if the problem area is not very large, you can use local and less expensive repair methods. For example:

• If the reason is the lack of a gap, then you need to create it. To do this, remove the baseboard. Disassemble the panels closest to the wall and trim the edges.
• If the cause of the squeak is debris and dust, then you need to remove the coating in the place where the problem arose and remove the backing. Then vacuum and wipe with a damp cloth. Then put back the underlay (by the way, it’s better to buy a new one) and the laminate.
• If the creaking occurs due to an uneven surface of the base, then you need to remove the entire covering, level the floor using special mixtures and, preferably, lay a layer of plywood. Only then do we lay the covering.

If you have a squeaking problem, your best option is to contact a professional. If you decide to do everything yourself, then follow the above tips.