Squeaky hardwood floors

Submitted by Marineray t3_z96q3g in DIY

I'll start with: I searched both Google and this sub, and I've read just about everything I could find.

My problem being - Most posts here talk about subfloor, and joists access, and replacing screws with nails.

I live on the 14th floor of a somewhat old building. There's hardwood (or plywood, I'm not even sure) all across the apartment, minus kitchen and bathrooms.

I don't own the place and landlord won't do much.

Is there anything I can do?

I'm very DIYable, I tried talc powder and it didn't help one bit.

Also, I'm not quite sure if it's squeaking or more like crackling kind of sound. No idea what's underneath the wood layer.

I am wiling to invest money into it, but obviously not change the entire flooring etc.

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Ideas would be welcome!

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Comments

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NTheory39693 t1_iyfa3oe wrote

countersink screws where you find squeeks....then fill in with matching wood putty, sand and apply some clear sealer

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NTheory39693 t1_iyfa7m4 wrote

screws should be long enough to go through the wood into the subfloor

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Marineray OP t1_iyfaqhg wrote

Thanks!
Does this apply also if the floor doesn't have any screws/nails visible?

Simply screw it down, fill with putty and seal?

Also, yeah, 99% of my apartment squeaks. Some worse, some less.

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Drone30389 t1_iyfca6k wrote

Hardwood floors are usually nailed in at an angle from the side so the nails aren't visible on the finished floor. That's not possible with an existing floor though.

There are special screws with snap-off heads so the hole/patch will be much less visible: https://www.squeakyfloor.com/counter-snap-floor-repair-kit/

Or you can just get deck screws with very small countersunk heads.

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