Table of contents
HOW TO STOP FLOATING FLOORBOARDS FROM CREAKING?Why do floating floorboards creak?How to keep parquet from creaking?WHY DO FLOATING FLOORBOARDS MAKE NOISE WHEN WALKING ON THEM?Why does parquet creak in summer?How CAN you stop floating floorboards from creaking?Why fill the inside of the board with polyurethane foam?HOW TO STOP FLOATING FLOORBOARDS FROM CREAKING?We give you the best tips to easily eliminate this problem from your floorboards.
The use of floating floorboards is very common due to their characteristics and the advantages they offer. This type of floor covering is very versatile, and the wide variety of styles available allows it to easily adapt to the decor of any home or business.
However, since this type of flooring is not glued to the surface of the floor, it sometimes presents a problem: creaking. If you want to know how to fix laminate flooring that creaks, in this article we explain the reasons why this can happen and give you some solutions so you can get rid of the creaking in floating floorboards. Let's get started!
Why do floating floorboards creak?
Have you started hearing floating floorboards creak every time you walk over a certain area of your home's floor? These sounds, which seem straight out of a horror movie, can have different causes. To understand the various reasons why this creaking can appear, you need to have a slight understanding of the characteristics of this type of flooring.
Designer floating floorboards consist of a covering of wood boards that fit together and are laid over the existing floor. Unlike parquet, the floorboard planks are not glued to the floor; instead, they stay in position thanks to the tongue-and-groove system that keeps them interlocked.
Below we explain the main reasons why floorboards may creak so that you can know how to fix laminate flooring that creaks.
- Changes in ambient humidity: hygrometric variations, whether excess moisture or dryness, can cause the volume of the boards to change, expanding or shrinking them. This can cause friction between the planks or bulging and deformations of the surface.
- Poor quality insulating material: installing a low-quality insulating base can be the cause of this problem. Even if the floorboards you have chosen are top quality, it is essential that the insulating base is not left behind and has good density. Otherwise, over time this base will give way and expand excessively when stepped on, causing the floorboards to also sag more than they should and creak when walked on.
- Presence of dirt under the boards: if dirt gets under the floorboards, this can create instability in the boards when they are stepped on or cause friction between the planks.
How to keep parquet from creaking?
The key is to identify the cause of the noise before applying a solution. Generally, creaking appears due to changes in humidity, wood expansion or poor installation. To fix it, you can control ambient humidity with a humidifier, secure loose boards with special screws, or apply talc or graphite powder between the joints to reduce friction. In more serious cases, it will be necessary to lift and reposition some pieces. Proper maintenance and periodic checks will prevent the problem from reappearing.
WHY DO FLOATING FLOORBOARDS MAKE NOISE WHEN WALKING ON THEM?
Floating floorboards can make noise when walking on them for various reasons related to their installation, the type of material, or environmental conditions. One of the most common causes is a lack of levelling in the base floor, which creates small gaps where the planks move when stepped on. It is also possible that the expansion joints are insufficient, preventing the wood or laminate from expanding with changes in temperature and humidity, causing creaks or snaps. Another common factor is the use of an inadequate or low-quality insulating base, which does not properly cushion movement. Even poor installation, with badly fitted pieces, can cause friction and annoying noises. Sound in a floating floor usually indicates small structural movements that can be prevented with proper preparation and professional installation.
Why does parquet creak in summer?
Parquet creaking in summer is a common concern among those who enjoy this type of flooring. The answer lies in the changes in temperature and ambient humidity typical of this season. During summer, the heat and dryness of the environment cause the wood to lose moisture, contract and, in some cases, deform slightly. This process generates tension between the parquet pieces, causing the characteristic creaking when walking on it or even spontaneously.
Another relevant factor is installation. If the parquet does not have adequate expansion between the boards or the edges, the wood will not have enough room to expand or contract, which increases the likelihood of noise. In addition, in buildings with wooden structures or lightweight floor slabs, summer temperature variations can amplify this phenomenon.
So, if you're wondering why parquet creaks in summer, keep in mind that it is a natural effect of the hygroscopic behaviour of wood. To minimise it, it is recommended to keep indoor relative humidity stable, use humidifiers or dehumidifiers as needed, and carry out professional installation with proper expansion joints.
How CAN you stop floating floorboards from creaking?
Now that we know the main reasons that can cause these unpleasant noises in the floors of our home or business, let's look at the different solutions so you know how to fix laminate flooring that creaks.
If the boards have become deformed, the best option would be to replace them and address the cause of the bulging. By this we mean trying to eliminate the source of moisture or the dirt that may have gotten between the planks.
If you have the creak perfectly located and the board has not visibly deformed nor is there dirt between the planks, it is most likely that moisture has created a gap between the floorboards and the floor. To fix this problem, if we want to avoid replacing the floorboards and the underlay, the best remedy is to fill the inside of the board. Here's how to do it:
Why fill the inside of the board with polyurethane foam?
- First, identify the point where the creak is most intense, the centre of the problem. Mark it with a pencil so you can locate it.
- Protect the rest of the surface. This will prevent the rest of the floor from getting stained with polyurethane, since it is very hard to clean.
- Drill a hole with a drill at the point marked earlier, using a bit the size of the applicator tube for the polyurethane foam.
- Protect yourself with gloves and keep the room ventilated while applying the foam.
- Inject the foam into the inside of the board. Keep in mind that it will more than double in size, so you should never fill the entire interior.
- Do not step on the treated area for the next hour (it will be completely dry after approximately 24 hours).
- Cover the hole using wood filler in the colour closest to the lightest tone on your floorboards. Once dry, sand the area and apply varnish so it doesn't show.
As you can see, the noises in your wood floor can be fixed. Now that you know how to stop floating floorboards from creaking, it's up to you to detect the cause of the problem and the possible solution. Remember that at Payresa we are specialists in wood flooring installation. Don't hesitate to contact us to find out how to fix laminate flooring that creaks!