this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2025
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I've got creeky floors under carpet (relatively new building). I don't own the place but the creeks and squeaks bother the hell out of me at night when I'm trying to not wake up the pup.

Didn't see any particularly useful advice online so any thoughts are appreciated.

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[–] KnightontheSun@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Drive a screw into it. This is far easier to do with a carpeted floor since the screw head (and hole) is not as noticeable. Be aware not to have any screw heads sticking up anywhere when done. They do also make special screws that will snap the head off once sunk. Thus leaving no major visible trace, but you could use normal screws as long as you got them flush.

Try sinking the screw down on or near a squeaky spot in an attempt to tighten it up. You'll need that screw to hit a floor joist as well to have something for the floor surface to tighten to. Sink one screw and test. If it didn't help, back it out and try elsewhere nearby. It helps if you can identify the joist pattern for your floor.

You could also try from below the floor assuming access was available. But in that case, I'd also use caulk/glue from there too to help quite things down.

I would not do anything from above for a finished wood floor. Too easy to mess it up and your landlord would charge you for the damage. It is potentially do-able with finish nails, skill and careful precision (which I lack).

[–] jeffhykin@lemm.ee 3 points 3 days ago

Sounds good. Given its creeky all over the place, I'll probably try mapping out the joists first. I'll (hopefully) post an update after my attempt.

Thanks for the advice!

[–] seathru@lemmy.sdf.org 6 points 4 days ago

Trim screws have small heads so they are even less noticeable. That's what I've been fixing my squeaky floor boards with.

[–] SamuraiBeandog@lemmy.world 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Try damming the creek upriver?

[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world -2 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] shnizmuffin@lemmy.inbutts.lol 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world -3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Its also a typo for wood that makes squeaking sounds.

(A typo is a terrible thing to waste. 😜 )

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[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The typo wasn't wasted, there was a clever joke about it.

[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 0 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

In a 'Dad' joke sort of way, sure, I'd agree with that.

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[–] RamblingPanda@lemmynsfw.com 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] jeffhykin@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] RamblingPanda@lemmynsfw.com 1 points 3 days ago

You should really send a video of your floor. The pup has to be visible. I'm really sorry. It's the only way the floor can be saved 😂

[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

Ask this old house has a couple videos on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhbxkttJwgU

Does your landlord suck? If not, maybe they might fix it.

[–] CosmicCleric@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)
[–] jeffhykin@lemm.ee 1 points 4 days ago

Nope, unfortunately

[–] dpflug@kbin.earth 1 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I've seen people try wax, but I have no idea how well it works.

[–] jeffhykin@lemm.ee 2 points 3 days ago

Yeah I'd say that'd be pretty tough with carpet