How to Fix Squeaky Floors Without Removing Them

You don't need to tear up flooring to silence squeaks. From above or below, the fix is a few screws in the right spot.

Squeaks are wood rubbing against wood — usually the subfloor against a joist or against the nails that should be holding it down. Walk the floor barefoot to find the exact spot, then mark it with painter's tape.

If you have unfinished basement access, the easy fix is from below. Have a helper stand on the squeak while you drive a couple of 1-1/2" cabinet screws up through the subfloor into the bottom of the finished floor — stop just short of poking through. Hardwood squeaks usually quiet on the first or second screw.

From above on carpeted floors, use a Squeeeeek No More kit (about $20). It uses a depth-control jig and breakaway screws that snap off below the carpet pile so you can vacuum right over them. For hardwood, the Counter-Snap kit does the same trick using trim screws and wax-filled holes.

Don't bother with talc or graphite tricks. They quiet a squeak for about three days, then it comes back louder.