How to Fix Squeaky Floors by Ilan Sigura
How to fix squeaky floors is of the most common complaints by homeowners, especially in California’s Bay Area with older homes and seasonal humidity swings. If you’ve ever wondered “how can I fix a squeaky hardwood floor,” you’re not alone. Many general contractors and DIYers don’t even realize the cause of these noises until it’s too late.
At Sigura Construction, we pay attention to minor details like these that are a big deal in the lives of our clients. Ilan Sigura, the CEO of Sigura Construction has over 24 years experience in the Bay Area residential and commercial construction industry, and he just shared why even newer floors have squeaky spots and how to fix squeaky floors properly!
In this guide, we’ll cover why floors squeak, proven prevention methods for hardwood and engineered wood, and why hiring experienced professionals delivers better long-term value. Whether you’re planning new home construction, a remodel, or simply want quiet, durable floors, this expert advice can save you headaches and money.
Why Do Floors Squeak? Common Causes in Hard Floor Homes
Squeaks and creaks occur when components of your flooring system rub against each other—typically wood-on-wood, wood-on-nail, or subfloor movement. Key triggers include:
- Seasonal expansion and contraction: Bay Area summers are dry while winters bring rain and humidity changes. Wood naturally absorbs and releases moisture, causing planks to swell and shrink. Wider planks (over 5–6 inches) move more dramatically.
- Wooden subfloor issues: Loose plywood panels, gaps between sheets, or inadequate fastening to joists create movement.
- Installation shortcuts: Insufficient fasteners, missing adhesive, or skipping glue in tongue-and-groove joints.
- Joist and framing problems: In new construction, improper joist spacing, settling, or lack of subfloor adhesive leads to flexing.
- Material choices: Solid hardwood is more prone to movement than engineered wood, but both can squeak without proper techniques.
Many new homeowners discover squeaks shortly after their remodel is finished and they move-in. That’s why it is so important to hire a general contractor that cares about the minor details, does not allow his team to rush and skip vital applications! (we’ll get into the solutions below)
Engineered Wood vs. Solid Hardwood: Squeak Prevention Differences
Solid hardwood offers timeless beauty and can be sanded/refinished multiple times but expands and contracts more with humidity. It benefits greatly from glue-assisted installation.
Engineered wood is more dimensionally stable due to its layered construction (real hardwood top layer over plywood core). It’s popular in the Bay Area for its moisture resistance and suitability over radiant heating. However, it can still develop squeaks if the tongue-and-groove joints aren’t secured or if installed over a moving subfloor.
For both types on plywood subfloors with planks wider than 6 inches, Ilan strongly recommends gluing the tongue and groove plus mechanical fastening.
How to Fix Squeaky Floors for Engineered and Hardwood: (Ilan’s Expert Technique)
This is the core tip from Ilan’s minute-long video and decades of field experience:
- Prepare the subfloor thoroughly — Clean, level, and secure plywood to joists. Apply construction adhesive in a serpentine pattern to joists for extra stability.
- Acclimate materials — Store flooring in the installation space for at least 48–72 hours to match indoor humidity.
- Apply glue to tongue and groove — For wider planks, run a consistent bead of recommended wood flooring adhesive on the tongue before clicking or sliding into the groove. This locks planks together, reducing independent movement and friction that causes squeaks.
- Fasten securely — Nail into the subfloor per manufacturer guidelines (typically 6–8 inches on edges, 10–12 inches in the field). The combination of glue + nails creates a quiet floor.
- Pay attention to edges and transitions — Leave proper expansion gaps at walls and use adhesive strategically in high-traffic areas.
This method is particularly effective in the Bay Area’s climate, where temperature and humidity swings are common. Many average contractors skip the glue step to save time, but experienced teams like Sigura Construction know it makes a measurable difference in performance and homeowner’s peace of mind.
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How to Fix Squeaky Floors for Laminate and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
These noises often appear right after installation or worsen with seasonal changes and foot traffic.
At Sigura Construction, Ilan and our team follow these best practices for quiet performance:
- Prioritize premium underlayment — This is the #1 way to reduce noise. Choose a dense foam, rubber, or cork underlayment with an integrated vapor barrier (critical over concrete to block moisture). Thicker, higher-density options absorb impact sound far better than thin or basic pads. Many LVP products have attached padding, but adding a separate quality layer often yields noticeably quieter results.
- Ensure a perfectly level subfloor — Concrete slabs must meet strict flatness requirements (typically no more than 1/8″ variation in 6 feet). Use self-leveling compound to fill lows and grind highs. Even small imperfections create voids that cause hollow sounds.
- Proper acclimation and installation — Allow flooring to acclimate in the room for the manufacturer-recommended time (often 48–72 hours). Maintain correct expansion gaps, stagger seams properly, and avoid forcing planks.
- Material selection matters — Opt for thicker planks with robust cores and better sound-dampening properties. In multi-story Bay Area homes, consider sound-rated underlayments to minimize impact noise for downstairs neighbors.