How Do You Fix A Squeaky Hard Wood Floor?

Squeaks in hard wood floors are caused by the gradual loosening of the nails that are holding down the boards. This allows the boards to move when weight is applied to them, rubbing against each other and causing the noise. There's generally no structural danger to a squeaky floor, but it can be very annoying. Fixing it is a simple matter of re-securing the boards that are loose. Be methodical about finding each squeak and fix them all at once. Step on each part of the floor, starting in one corner and walking slowly across in rows, to determine where all the squeaks are. Each time you find one, put a small X at the spot with your piece of light-colored chalk. Put a 1/16-inch drill bit in the drill. Starting in the same corner, walk the floor and sink a pilot hole at the center of each chalk mark that you made. Put a screwdriver bit in your drill, and pick up a handful of 1 1/2-inch galvanized drywall screws. Starting at the same corner as before, walk to each pilot hole that you've ...  more