# Squeaky Floor Help Needed! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324 "2003-03-22T07:37:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324/1 "2003-03-22T07:37:02Z")
The house is only three years old and there are three places on the floor, under carpeting, that are driving us nuts! We saw the house being built, and the basic floor is large, wooden, platforms. The carpeting was laid on top. The major creak is by the bathroom door (how convenient late at night) and another is right by the bed (another great location). Someone told us to rip up the carpet and nail the thing to death. Will that work? ---
**Author:** ![octothorpe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b77776/32.png) [@octothorpe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octothorpe)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324/2 "2003-03-22T07:52:28Z")
Better still to screw the floor down where it is squeeking. In reality, it is probably the nails that are responsible for the squeeks. Consider that the subfloor is laid across long joists. These joists, especially towards the middle of their spans, flex from the weight of walking, furniture, etc. Nails pull out slightly and the squeek is the result of the subfloor sliding on the shank of the nail. If this is a ground floor and you have an unfinishid basement (not a chance if you’re in Vegas), you can drive shims between the joists and the subfloor to prevent this. I just added an addition on my home and screwed the subfloor down, but good. So far no squeeks, but i can’t hear the kids sneeking out at night. Life’s full of little trade-offs… # ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324/3 "2003-03-22T08:06:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by octothorpe \* > \*\*If this is a ground floor and you have an unfinishid basement (not a chance if you’re in Vegas), you can drive shims between the joists and the subfloor to prevent this. > > # \*\* Actually saw a model home with a basement recently. Imagine that in Vegas! But you are right. However, the squeaks are all on the second floor (downstairs is all concrete underneath). So should I remove all the nails and put in screws, or just add screws? ---
**Author:** ![fireman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@fireman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fireman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324/4 "2003-03-22T11:46:34Z")
Fix from above without removing the carpet. [http://www.worksavers.com/squeek.html](http://www.worksavers.com/squeek.html) ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324/5 "2003-03-22T14:13:06Z")
fireman: thank you, thank you, thank you ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squeaky-floor-help-needed/163324/6 "2003-03-22T16:16:16Z")
Those screws in that kit fireman, look like regular dry wall screws with a nick in them so you can pull the top off. That could be another alternative. Dry wall screws are pretty easy to use in wood.