I live in a tri-level house built in 1957, and the entire upper floor is extremely squeaky. Every step I take makes an annoying noise, even though we have carpeted floors. I've tried using long nails, but that didn't help much. Is there an economical way to fix this issue?
3 Answers
Have you noticed if the floor bounces when you jump on it? If it does, it might indicate that you need to check the subfloor support. That might help you diagnose what's causing the squeaks.
One tip I heard is to sprinkle some baby powder in the gaps where the squeaks are coming from. Just make sure to sweep it in really well, as it might help reduce the noise. Just a heads up though: since you have carpet, it might not be as effective as on hardwood floors. Worth a try, though!
Instead of long nails, consider screwing the subfloor down to the joists with some 3-inch deck screws when you get a chance, especially if you're replacing the carpet later. This should help stabilize the floor and reduce the squeaking significantly. It's a bit more work, but it could really solve your problem long-term!
I have carpet too, so I’m curious if baby powder would actually work. Did it work for you?