Do-it-yourself rules and methods for eliminating the squeak of parquet
Parquet creaks under the influence of various factors. Incorrect operating conditions, violation of installation technology, the use of poor-quality wood can lead to this. To avoid such problems, it is worth properly maintaining the floor covering. If unpleasant sounds appear, first of all it is necessary to establish their causes.
The main reasons for the appearance of a creak
The appearance of a squeak can be associated with the influence of various factors. In order to cope with the problem, it is important to establish the reasons for its occurrence.
Desiccation
Drying of wood is caused by a change in humidity and temperature indicators in the room.This is usually due to a lack of humidity.
split boards
Planks can split when using poor quality wood. Improper operation also becomes the cause of problems.
Broken ridge or groove
Rupture of the ridge or groove is possible due to improper installation of the flooring.
Loose fasteners
This problem is caused by increased floor loads. As a result, the fasteners are loose.
Nails and screws coming out of their nests
If the fasteners have not been fastened sufficiently, they may come out of the slots.
Movement of plank ends and logs
The most difficult case is the laying of parquet on a plank floor. As a result, the ends and logs of the boards move and creak.
No space near the walls
Changing the humidity settings causes the boards to increase or decrease in size. If there is no room for expansion, they rub and squeak. Therefore, when laying the floor, specialists leave a gap between the parquet and the wall.
Errors when installing parquet
Noises are often caused by laying parquet planks on uneven floors. In this case, the coating must be refinished.
Characteristics of wood
The cracking is due to the characteristics of the wood. This usually happens when panels that are too thin are used.
How can you solve the problem yourself
To solve the problem of squeaks, it is necessary to identify the most vulnerable places. It is recommended to mark them in advance.
Dismantling
The most radical way to combat squeaking is considered to be a complete change of the upholstery. To do this, it is worth dismantling the strips. Then it is recommended to prepare the base and bend the parquet. Finally, the surface is sanded and varnished.This method is used when leaving several matrices.
The procedure is considered very expensive. If the parquet squeaks in one area, the problem can be eliminated with less drastic methods.
Elimination of potholes and cracks
It is possible to cope with cracks without removing the coating. This problem is usually caused by high temperature. It is also caused by severe dryness of the air in the room. If raw wood was used during installation, it may dry out over time. In such a situation, it is worth using a putty. It is recommended to seal the cracks during the procedure. To do this, it is worth choosing a substance that matches the shade of the parquet.
It is recommended to cover potholes. It should be done in a thick layer. Apply a wood-like coat on top.
For renovation work, casein glue is suitable. It is recommended to mix it with sawdust. Then the parquet must be carefully sanded and opened with a special varnish. If the gaps are too big, putty won't help. The substance will spread anyway. In such a situation, the council is replaced. To do this, simply select an element of the same size and shade. Then it is worth doing the following:
- Divide the damaged area into several fragments. This can be done with a chisel or chisel. Remove received items. Starting from the middle, get rid of the glue.
- The cavity that formed after the removal of the board must be cleaned well. It is recommended to level the base.
- Get a new board. It is recommended to cut the comb from it. In this case, the cut area must be carefully sanded with a plane. If necessary, it is allowed to cut edges and grooves in adjacent boards.
- If you need to change several boards located nearby, they are first fastened to each other. Accordingly, it is worth getting a single whole. Before installation, you need to make sure that the boards match the old area.
- Pour bituminous mastic into the pothole. It is heated to 150-170 degrees. It is also allowed to use another glue that is permitted for such work. Lay a parquet board over it. Wipe the glue or sealant from the surface. Tap the board with a heavy object.
- After the glue is completely dry, the repaired area should be sanded. Then it is recommended to clean it from dust and open it with varnish.
Base repair
To eliminate problems, you can lay 12 mm plywood on the base. It is placed in the direction of the laying of the boards. It is important to maintain the required angle. This method will not help you forget about the squeak forever, but it will have an effect for a while.
To deal with unpleasant sounds, there is some sort of foundation to consider. If the parquet is laid on bituminous mastic, then it is worth taking a construction hair dryer and heating the parquet. As a result, the bitumen will melt. Then the dies should be pressed firmly and allowed to dry.
Wedge stuffing method
The creaking is caused by insufficient fastening of the boards to the beams or by insects. To avoid this problem, it is recommended to drive shims between the plank and the beam. If the lower part of the floor is inaccessible, the boards must be fixed above the logs. If the sounds cause friction, wedges should be driven into the gap. They are placed at intervals of 15 to 20 centimeters.It is worth checking that the wedges do not protrude above the floor. It is also acceptable to use a simpler and more accessible method. To do this, it is recommended to pour talc into the gaps between the boards. Graphite powder is also suitable for this.
Filling with glue
To eliminate an unpleasant squeak, it is permissible to use a special glue. First you need to prepare everything you need. For the procedure you will need a drill with a 2 mm drill bit. It is also worth preparing a syringe, pencils, tape. You cannot do without polyurethane glue and dowels.
To begin with, it is worth marking points in the center of the damaged areas. The distance between them should be 15 centimeters. Attach tape over the top. Punch holes in the boards in the marked areas. Their diameter should be 2 millimeters. Pour glue into the resulting areas with a syringe.
Leave the composition for about 1 hour. During this time, the glue will dry. After that, it is recommended to remove the tape. Traces of the substance can be removed with a solvent. Then press down on the boards with a heavy load. For some time, it has been forbidden to walk on this site. It is recommended to choose wax crayons that match the color of the parquet. After 24 hours after completion of the repair, the holes should be filled with wax. Finally, the floor is polished. It is allowed to do this with a rag.
cement mortar
First you need to make a hole in the ground. Its diameter should not exceed 2 centimeters. It is recommended to pour a cement mortar inside. Heated bitumen is also suitable for this purpose.The board must be supported by this substance, which causes the squeak. Plug in the cap and paint. This will help prevent marks from appearing.
To increase the effectiveness of the method, it is recommended to make a hole against the lag. A cement solution should be poured into it. After 24 hours, a wooden pin should be stuck into the resulting hole. Its edge must reach the floor slab. It is recommended to remove the residue so that the material is level with the parquet. Then clean the coating, use putty and coloring compound.
Smaller holes are allowed. In such a situation, the screw and dowel are replaced with liquid nails. It is recommended to glue the boards to the base and fill in the holes. For this, a substance that imitates a tree is used.
Syringe
For this method, it is worth using a lubricant. It must be wax and contain a solvent. The prepared substance is introduced under the parquet through microscopic holes. This is done by douching. It is also allowed to use a water-based lubricant. It is pressurized into the space under the liner.
Pour the polyurethane foam
As a rule, the height of the area under the floor is 9 centimeters. To prevent the floor from cracking, it is allowed to fill this area with polyurethane foam. As it expands, it hardens the floor covering. It should be borne in mind that this method has a drawback. During operation, the substance is gradually destroyed. This causes the squeak to return. Therefore, the technique is considered expensive and insufficiently effective.
Application of metal anchors
If a concrete slab is considered as the basis of the parquet, it is permissible to use anchors. It is recommended to assemble them exclusively by hand.To do this, you need to make a hole, put a metal shell and place a hairpin. This method is very effective, but associated with significant costs.
Spindle with self-tapping screws
If a creak occurs in the area of the junction of the parquet board and the log, it is worth making a pin with self-tapping screws. It should be ensured that there is no communication under the floor. For the procedure, you need to make a hole in the logs from a certain side with a drill. An appropriately sized nail or screw should be driven into it. The hat should be completely submerged in the board.
Parquet shrinkage
It is a difficult but affordable way. It consists in evaluating the state of the shift by syntactic analysis. Revealed defects must be corrected and damaged strips must be replaced. It is recommended to replace all nails with self-tapping screws that will tighten the cover.
After fixing the parquet, the putty areas should be sanded and varnished. It is also permissible to use wax of the appropriate shade.
Formation of expansion joints
When laying the coating, it is recommended to make an expansion joint of at least 10-15 millimeters. If this recommendation is violated, the bars expand and press against each other. The result is unpleasant sounds.To solve the problem, you need to remove the plinth, cut off the edge of the lamella - about 10 millimeters. If there are swollen areas with affected locks, they should be replaced. It is allowed to go over the floor and add fasteners.
When is it better to contact a specialist
If the parquet in the apartment is damaged and a serious problem has been identified, then it will not be possible to do without the help of specialists. It is not recommended to hammer wedges on your own or perform other complex work in the absence of the appropriate skills.
Rules of maintenance and operation
To avoid unpleasant problems, the parquet must be properly maintained:
- Maintains indoor climate. This will help prevent the boards from swelling or drying out.
- In the cold season, provide a complete heating system.
- Periodically sand the floor covering and open it with varnish.
- Avoid spilling liquid on the floor. If this happens, you must remove the water with a dry cloth.
Additional tips and tricks
To avoid the appearance of a squeak, you must follow these rules:
- comply with the installation rules;
- level the floors before laying parquet;
- use quality materials;
- apply adhesive and backing in accordance with regulatory requirements;
- make holes in the walls.
The creaking of parquet is considered a fairly common problem that causes serious discomfort. To cope with unpleasant sounds and avoid damage to the floor, you need to take timely measures. In difficult situations, it will not be possible to do without the help of a master.