Why do the floor boards in my house creak in the fall and winter?

Question

and what can I do to stop it?

Answer 1

during the winter it becomes cold and things contract (pull together) and most homes dont have humidifiers so the air is drier its really nothing to worry about

Answer 2

floors, especially hardwood floors, naturally contract and expand during seasonal changes. This is one of the main reasons why installation instructions always indicate the need for proper spacing between the first plank and the wall...giving the floors room to move when they do expand and contract. With out these spaces the floors will crowd each other during winters, making them squeak, even worse they might end up warping. Thermal control is one solution. Try a humidifier. Here's an old trick that's worth a try, use talcum powder or baby powder between the planks. Hope that helps

Answer 3

There is a way if your handy. You have to use two by two's (2X2) and the length required. Screw these on underneath in the basement . Screw this on against the rafters (Joists) and then using a short screw against the floor board.
Go to Home Depot and explain it to the guy in the building department, he'll understand and get you the p[roper material or hire someone to do it. It really isn't that hard but, you need the tools also.

Answer 4

your floor joists / trusses shift with the seasons so they contract a little when the weather turns colder, as the seasonal shifting causes them to not fit as tight,so they squeak, it is common in new construction homes that settle a lot the first couple of years, but older homes can do it too , my house is 5 years old and i get it every year and my prevcious home was over 20 years old and i still got it there too, I also hear my roof trusses pop every year when fall and winter come around, there is nothing stryctureally wrong with your home ,its just where you live, you can do nothing about it except to patiently wait for spring.....Contractor

Answer 5

Try to gain control of the humidity, the wood is dryer in the winter. You can use special screws to screw down creaks in the case of carpet cover, or drywall type otherwise.

Answer 6

Because they constrict because of the weather being cold. I don't know what you can do to stop it.

Answer 7

lack of humidity in home..get a humidifier