How to Fix a Squeaky Hardwood Floor from Above

Stop hardwood floor squeaks by securing loose boards with wood screws driven through the flooring into the subfloor below, targeting the squeak's exact location.

  1. Find the Squeak First. Walk slowly across the squeaky area while a helper listens from below or in an adjacent room. Mark the precise spots where squeaks occur with masking tape. Test by stepping on and off each marked area to confirm the squeak location. The squeak happens when loose floorboards rub against nails or each other.
  2. Locate the Joists Below. Use a stud finder to locate the floor joists running beneath the squeaky boards. Mark joist locations with light pencil marks. Joists typically run 16 or 24 inches apart. You need to hit a joist when driving screws to properly secure the loose flooring to the subfloor structure.
  3. Drill Before Driving. Drill pilot holes slightly smaller than your wood screw diameter at each marked squeak location directly over a joist. For 2.5-inch wood screws, use a 1/8-inch drill bit. Pre-drilling prevents the hardwood from splitting and ensures screws drive smoothly. Drill through the finished floor and into the subfloor.
  4. Secure the Loose Board. Insert 2.5-inch wood screws through the pilot holes and drive them until the heads sit just below the floor surface. The screws must penetrate at least 1 inch into the subfloor or joist. Don't overdrive the screws or you'll damage the floor surface. The screw pressure pulls the loose floorboard tight against the subfloor.
  5. Hide the Screw Holes. Apply wood filler that matches your floor color into each screw hole using a putty knife. Overfill slightly since the filler will shrink as it dries. Let the filler cure completely according to manufacturer directions, typically 2-4 hours. Sand the filled areas smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.
  6. Blend the Repair In. Apply floor finish or stain pen over the filled screw holes to match the surrounding floor. For polyurethane floors, use a small brush to apply thin coats of matching polyurethane. Let each coat dry completely. The repair should blend invisibly with the existing floor when finished.