Properly installing floor boards can prevent future callbacks. Our guide explains ways to effectively fix squeaky floors using subfloor adhesive.
Creaking floors are a common complaint. Getting a callback for squeaky floors is inconvenient for both you and the homeowner. These requests are not only expensive to fix but also take up more of your valuable time.
Movement is the main culprit behind noisy floors. To stop the squeaking, you must prevent the wood from moving.
Over time, the normal expansion and contraction of floor boards can loosen the fasteners. This can cause the wood to move and produce squeaking noises. Fortunately, subfloor adhesive can fix this issue. You can ensure the boards are properly secured to the subfloor by using glue in addition to fasteners.
Even though seasonal changes can still affect wood flooring, using glue in your subfloor construction will reduce movement and the associated squeaking.
Keep new hardwood floors from creaking with the steps below.
1. Gather Materials
For this project, you will need:
- Safety goggles
- Safety gloves
- Subfloor Adhesive — Loctite PL Subfloor Foam Construction Adhesive
- Caulking gun
- Utility knife
- Trowel
- Suitable fasteners
2. Ready the surfaces
Dust, dirt, and debris can affect the effectiveness of the subfloor adhesive. Be sure to clean and dry all surfaces. Remember to pre-fit all the boards before you start applying adhesive to the subfloor.
3. Apply glue
You can apply subfloor adhesive in three ways:
- Perpendicular adhesive lines: Apply ¼-inch lines of glue on the subfloor, perpendicular to the floor boards. Use the right trowel to spread the adhesive so that it covers a larger surface area. Remember to maintain a 12-inch gap between the troweled lines of glue.
- Using a zigzag pattern: Apply a ¼-inch-thick continuous bead of adhesive along the back of the floor panels or on top of the subfloor where the boards will be installed. To achieve the best outcome, maintain a distance of between 10 and 12 inches between the adhesive’s peaks.
- Full trowel: To secure the boards using this method, apply glue to the entire subfloor and use the right trowel to spread it evenly. This method is best for the most secure wood floors. This is a great option for projects involving the use of wide plank floor boards. It also works great for unconditioned spaces with significant fluctuations in humidity and temperature, or if the subfloor is old and prone to movement.
4. Position the floor boards
Carefully place each board in place, properly interlocking the tongue and groove. Use an adhesive remover to clear away excess glue. Chisel off dry bits of glue using a putty knife.
5. Install fasteners
Once the boards are in place, secure them with the right fasteners. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when choosing fasteners. However, not all fasteners are equal. While nails are a good choice, screws are better at ensuring tighter, lasting connections.
6. Leave to dry
Once all of the floorboards have been tightly and adequately secured in place, allow the adhesive to dry. Allow anywhere between 24 and 48 hours of drying time before resuming heavy foot traffic in the affected area.
If you have been called back to fix a few squeaky floorboards in an existing house, you don’t need to tear out the entire floor. You can use the steps below to address the situation quickly.
1. Gather supplies
You will need:
- Safety goggles and gloves
- Subfloor adhesive — Loctite PL Subfloor Foam Adhesive
- Caulking gun
- Step ladder
- Utility knife
- Vacuum with crevice attachment
2. Find accessible floor joints
Start by identifying all accessible floor joists (especially those in the affected section). It is important to note that in most cases, you will not be able to access all of them.
3. Prepare the surfaces
Using a vacuum with a crevice attachment, clear away accumulated dust and debris in every nook and cranny along the area where the floor panels meet the joists.
4. Apply adhesive
Position the nozzle of your adhesive as tightly as possible to the wood flooring and carefully apply a continuous ¼-inch bead of glue along both sides of the floor joist.
5. Clean up any mess
Use paint thinner or mineral spirits to remove excess glue. Dry subfloor glue can be scraped off using a utility knife.
6. Leave to dry
Give the area around 24 to 48 hours before resuming heavy foot traffic.
Using a high-quality construction adhesive is essential for a lasting fix. Loctite PL Subfloor Foam Adhesive is a professional-grade construction adhesive designed for bonding plywood decking and subfloor to joists. This product can be used on a variety of materials, including masonry, concrete, wood, plaster, drywall, ceramic tile, brick, slate, and frozen or wet lumber. This adhesive is compliant with state and federal low-VOC emissions standards.