HH Homeowner's Handbook
Home / Interior & Paint / Fix a squeaky floor or stairs
TASK NO. 051 Cosmetic

Fix a squeaky floor or stairs

Interior & Paint
Trigger
As noticed
Who does it
DIY
Est. time
30-60 min per spot
Est. cost
$15-30
Difficulty
●●○○○
Step by step

  1. Walk the area to pinpoint the exact squeaky board.

  2. From above, drive a breakaway screw kit through the flooring into the joist below.

  3. Snap off the screw head below the surface and fill with matching wax filler.

  4. From below (if accessible), add a shim with wood glue between the subfloor and joist.

  5. Test by walking over the spot again before patching visible holes.

Video guide
How To Fix Squeaky Floors - This Old House
Watch this guide
✓ Source checked against this task.
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