Silence Your Squeaky Floating Floors With These DIY Fixes

Floating floors are those that aren't fixed to either a subfloor or floor joists. While linoleum and cork can be installed as floating floors, most floors of this type are either laminate or vinyl plank. They are generally easy to live with, although poor installation or excess moisture can cause problems. There are tips to prevent laminate flooring from lifting that are usually effective, but squeaky floating floors can also be an issue. This can normally be prevented by learning what you need to know before installation, but perhaps you've inherited a floor laid by someone else. In that case, a DIY fix will be a priority, because few things are more annoying than a squeaky floor.

Fortunately, there are a couple of tried-and-true options that are quick and easy, plus a heavy-duty alternative if all else fails. The first uses baby powder (or talc), which you may already have in the bathroom. Alternatively, you can try bicycle chain wax; if you don't already have some in the garage, it is very inexpensive. Finally, if neither of those does the trick and you're a DIY enthusiast or woodworker who has the equipment, you can reach for the nail gun.

There are many ways you can use baby powder around the house, and the household staple may do the trick to silence a noisy floor. After identifying where the squeaks are coming from, work a little baby powder into the small gaps around the planks with a soft cloth or hand brush. It doesn't have to fill the spaces, it's simply meant to stop the planks from rubbing against each other. Normal foot traffic will help work it in.

Another solution is to use bike chain wax like Finish Line Dry Bike Lubricant. It comes in a bottle with a convenient nozzle, so just the right amount can be applied to squeaky joints. Give it a few moments to seep in, then wipe off the excess with a paper towel. It's a particularly good alternative if anyone in the house has issues with baby powder or sensitivity to dust.

The third option comes from YouTuber Live Free, who took the rather extreme approach of using a nail gun to silence his squeaky floor, firing nails through the planks and into the wooden subfloor or joists. According to the commentary, around 300 nails through the planks were enough to stop the squeaking, and he was happy with the result. However, while this solution was clearly effective, the floor looks a bit like it has been attacked by an infestation of woodworms or termites on close inspection — so you may want to consider it only as a last resort.