Squeaking floorboards !!! How can I stop them

[BigJoe]

Hi,

They are driving me mad.

I have a few squeaking floorboards they seem to be getting worse.

I would be grateful for any help on this one.

Joe.

 

[oldharry]

Lubricant! Candle wax stops wood squeaks, but any spray on wax/ grease will be affective to stop two bits of wood squeaking when rubbed together - if of course you can get it on the bits that are rubbing!

 

[dk]

rub a candle along the edges of the boards.

 

[falkirkdan]

Some 6 inch nails hammered into them should help.

The rising water will swell the boards and stop them moving.

 

[BigJoe]

help

Falkirkdan………………………

Thanks for the reply………………

I am hammering in the nails now………………

Hang on………………..

Where is the water coming from……………..

Man the pumps…………………….

I just wannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

0000000000000000000000000000000

 

[30boat]

I had that.It's caused by lack of support underneath which allows the floorboards to flex. On my boat, I lined the underside of the boards with tape where they were moving and sanded the laminate below.The I put blobs of epoxy putty high enough to be squashed by the floorboard when put back on.
After curing the floor was perfectly supported.If you feel like it has to look tidy a bit of work with a grinder will sort it.It may have to be done in stages.

 

[elton]

I've been told that a sprinkling of talcum powder between the floorboards will stop them squeaking, but I've never tried it.

 

[Roberto]

I had that.It's caused by lack of support underneath which allows the floorboards to flex. On my boat, I lined the underside of the boards with tape where they were moving and sanded the laminate below.The I put blobs of epoxy putty high enough to be squashed by the floorboard when put back on.
After curing the floor was perfectly supported.If you feel like it has to look tidy a bit of work with a grinder will sort it.It may have to be done in stages.

I don't know if it is the only cause but surely was with my floors: I glued a strip of thick dense foam over the top of the glassed floor beams and (almost) every noise disappeared

I guess some wax between the vertical edges of the various panels could reduce noise even more, but haven't felt the need so far :smile:

 

[robp]

Hi,

They are driving me mad.

I have a few squeaking floorboards they seem to be getting worse.

I would be grateful for any help on this one.

Joe.

Yes I have the same problem. If it's the edges of the boards causing the problem, the candle wax idea works but only for a short time. (At least in my experience). I bought some silicone spray in Lidl but haven't tried it yet. Maybe even car/boat polish with silicone would work?

 

[Goldie]

An HR I looked at had matchsticks jammed between the sole boards for just that purpose..

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I have exactly the same thing thats getting worse....floorboard are either flexing in their own right or the supports under them are moving. In my boats case I think it's mostly due to small supports underneath that are moving and need to be strengthened. Not a big job when on land.
I would not put any wax and definatly not any silicone on the timber. Once you have done that it could be a nightmare to then apply a finish such as varnish when the job is sorted.
If the structures are sound and it is merely a little bit of flexing, then wax is often as good as anything between surfaces but remember it will need cleaning off thoroughly before you varnish in the future.
Silicone, in the wrong place is, not only a real pain but the spray is extremely dangerous to the lungs.

 

[robp]

I have exactly the same thing thats getting worse....floorboard are either flexing in their own right or the supports under them are moving. In my boats case I think it's mostly due to small supports underneath that are moving and need to be strengthened. Not a big job when on land.
I would not put any wax and definatly not any silicone on the timber. Once you have done that it could be a nightmare to then apply a finish such as varnish when the job is sorted.
If the structures are sound and it is merely a little bit of flexing, then wax is often as good as anything between surfaces but remember it will need cleaning off thoroughly before you varnish in the future.
Silicone, in the wrong place is, not only a real pain but the spray is extremely dangerous to the lungs.

Fair comment about the silicone. I had mentioned that as I know it stays around. In my case, the boards are varnished and I can see no reason that I will need to re-varnish them. There has been no degradation in over ten years.They are Holly faced 18 mm ply. Just the pesky "creak" on one joint due to the edges rubbing.

 

[Bosunof]

MMmmmm. Talcum powder. Not many young ladies use talcum powder these days. And how does one dispense it? Shaken gently around the saloon, or just vibrated over the guilty section of the boat?

Photos and answers in a plain brown envelope, please.

 

[Mrnotming]

this stopped the squeaks

I found in the €2 shop near me a packet of velcro circles.
Then put these on the board perimeters having cleaned the glassfibre web surfaces where they go.
By peeling off the backing on the down side part before laying the boards down, everything became self -locating.
So now it quieter when one needs to sneak off to the loo in the night!
I do not screw down the boards anymore as I need the storage space beneath.
Now to figure out some smart way to fasten them in place in case of boat inversion!

Good sailing and boating to all.

 

[Blueboatman]

I would start with a feeler gauge or kitchen knife to see where the edges are binding . ( Boats do move around a bit, even HRs as observed.)

Boards can only squeak where two items are binding together when you walk on them .

Then its out with the sharp hand plane to trim back any offending edges, and a bit of epoxy to reseal the edge ( otherwise it will absorb water and might swell or stain)..

 

[PetiteFleur]

I had this problem, although with a ply floor on inadequate bearers so I lifted the ply floor, rebuilt the bearers and added a couple more, then screwed the board down and the problem was cured - no noise and the floor nice and firm.

 

[BigJoe]

peply

Hi.

Thanks for all the reply’s.

I am heading down to the boat this week, so I will keep you ’s posted with developments.

All the best and safe boating.

Joe.

 

[dukes4monny]

I've been told that a sprinkling of talcum powder between the floorboards will stop them squeaking, but I've never tried it.

I can confirm that this does work........needs re-applying periodically though....

 

[BigJoe]

Thanks for all the reply's, looks like I needed additional support under the main offender.

 

[Carmel2]

We had one main offender, and if you want to have a pee, or have a swig of water in the night you have to cross it, and then you wake the OH up, all quite likely after a few beer's before hand! However, about 10 days ago we had a Webasto heater fitted, not only are we toasty, but the squeaking has gone.