Creaking floors can be creepy at night as well as annoying at any other time of the day.
Sometimes this sound appears right after remodeling, and sometimes it just happens over time.
Here are some popular reasons of why your floors creak.
Natural wood movement
Wood is a natural material that can expand or contract with changes in temperature and humidity.
This movement can lead to creaking sounds as the floorboards rub against each other or against nails or fasteners.
Loose or damaged floorboards
Over time, floorboards may become loose or damaged due to wear and tear, aging, or improper installation.
Loose boards can shift or flex when pressure is applied, resulting in creaking sounds.
Poor installation
Improper installation of flooring materials, such as inadequate nailing or insufficient use of adhesives, can lead to creaking sounds.
If the flooring materials are not securely attached to the subfloor or each other, movement can occur and result in creaks.
Settling of the building
Over time, buildings can settle, causing the floor structure to shift slightly.
This settling can result in creaking sounds as the floorboards adjust to the new position.
Insufficient underlayment
In some cases, the underlayment or padding beneath the flooring material may not provide adequate cushioning or support.
This can result in increased friction between the flooring layers, leading to creaking noises.
