Eliminate Linoleum Floors Squeaks By Using A Remedy Worth Trying

Squeaky floors can be a persistent annoyance, turning a peaceful home into a symphony of creaks with every step. Although linoleum floors are a cost-effective and versatile flooring option, they can still be subject to this unwelcome sound. So, what what does it really mean when your floors squeak? The squeaking is most often caused by the subfloor under the linoleum, not the linoleum itself. The sound is, more specifically, caused when subfloor boards rub against each other, usually where two boards meet over a floor joist. That movement causes friction, which produces the signature squeak.

The good news? There are DIY ways to fix those stubborn squeaky floors at the source: stopping the movement of the subfloor boards. For this specific repair to be successful, it's important to have access to the underside of the floor. This approach won't work for floors that were installed on a cement slab, where the subfloor can't be accessed. But for homes with basements or crawl spaces, the answer is not only effective, but it's also fairly easy — making it a strangely satisfying do-it-yourself task for homeowners eager to hush the squeaks.

Once you gain access to the underside of your floor, you can strengthen the subfloor and prevent the movement that's creating the squeak. Start by pinpointing where the noise is coming from. Have someone walk on the floor above as you listen from below — this will help identify the offending joist and subfloor joint. After you find the source, screw or shim the subfloor tighter to the joist.

Screws, driven into the joist through the subfloor, will draw the boards tightly together, thus eliminating the friction that causes the squeak. Another option is to insert a shim between the subfloor and the joist to fill the gap and prevent that movement. Both methods eliminate the source of the squeak by stabilizing the subfloor so the linoleum above isn't forced to take the brunt of shifting below.

This method is incredibly useful, but keep in mind that it's not one-size-fits-all. Floors built on cement slabs or other structural limitations will require using other methods to fix your squeaky floorboards. But if you have access to the underside of your floor, this trick is a game changer, earning you tranquility at home with just a little effort.