Are you planning to install new floors in your home? Spending $1000s on new floors?

If your house was built in the early 1900s or even decades later, you NEED to read this before spending thousands on new flooring. One simple oversight could leave you with frustrating squeaks that last for years.

The Costly Mistake Most Homeowners Make

Imagine investing $10,000 or more on gorgeous new flooring, only to hear an annoying squeak every time you step across a room. Unfortunately, this is a common issue that many homeowners face because they weren’t given the full picture before installation.

What You’ll Learn in This Article:

• Why you should NEVER take a salesperson’s word that squeaks will disappear.
• Understanding where floor squeaks come from.
• The REAL solution to eliminating squeaky floors permanently.
• What won’t fix your squeaky floor (despite what some installers claim).
• Why proper preparation matters before installation begins.
• How to match your new floor height to avoid an uneven transition.
• Essential questions to ask before hiring a flooring company.

Don’t Believe the Sales Pitch – Here’s the Truth

Many flooring salespeople or installers will tell you that once the new flooring is laid, squeaks will disappear. This is FALSE. Even with a cork underlayment, if your subfloor is loose, you’ll still hear squeaks every time weight presses down on it. If you want quiet, you must address the problem before installation.

Unfortunately, most flooring companies don’t prioritize this. Their goal? Get in, get out, and get paid. If they haven’t specifically checked for squeaks or included subfloor repair in your estimate, you’ll likely be stuck with the same problem after installation.

Where Do Floor Squeaks Come From?

Squeaky floors occur when the nails in the subfloor loosen over time. As weight shifts, the wood moves against these loose nails, causing the irritating squeak. To eliminate the noise, you need to secure the subfloor properly before installing new flooring.

The Permanent Fix: How to Eliminate Squeaks for Good

The ONLY way to permanently stop floor squeaks is to remove the old flooring, expose the subfloor, and secure it using 4-inch screws (NOT nails!). These screws should be driven into the joists below, preventing movement. In some cases, you may also need to add a layer of CDX plywood to raise the floor height to match the old flooring.

By securing both layers with screws, you create a solid, noise-free foundation that will last for years. Don’t let an installer convince you that a few nails or quick fixes will solve the problem—they won’t.

Don’t Rush the Installation – Take Time to Prepare

If your installation is already scheduled but your subfloor isn’t properly secured, postpone the installation. Once new flooring is laid, fixing squeaks will be much harder and more expensive. If you skip this step, your only option may be to crawl under your house later and attempt a fix from below—a costly and inconvenient task.

Preparing for Floor Installation

If you decide to rip out your old flooring to secure the subfloor, here’s what you need to know:

• Furniture Removal: Clear each room completely before work begins.
• Dust Control: Use plastic barriers to prevent sawdust from spreading.
• Floor Height Matching: If your new flooring is thinner than the old one, you’ll need to add a plywood sublayer to maintain even transitions between rooms.

Important Questions to Ask Your Flooring Installer

Before hiring an installer, ask:

• Will they check for and fix squeaky areas before installing the new floor?
• Do they include subfloor tightening in their quote?
• Are they using trained professionals or new employees still learning the job?
• If remodeling, will they account for kitchen islands and cabinet heights?
• Can the job be done in phases if needed for remodeling plans?

Ready for New Floors Without the Hassle?

Don’t risk spending thousands on beautiful floors only to deal with squeaks for years. At Pretty It Up in Idaho, we do the job right the first time. Our team ensures your subfloor is secure and level before installing new flooring, so you never have to worry about noise issues. We are NOT actual installers of new floors. We remove old floors and prep for the new floors… which your floor salesman will handle via a floor crew that works directly with them.

With the right preparation, your new floors can be flawless and squeak-free for years to come. Don’t let a rushed job ruin your investment—get it done right the first time!