Does shrinkage cause floor squeaks?
Let’s start by explaining what shrinkage means in construction. Shrinkage happens when materials lose moisture, or in simple terms, when they dry out. As they do, the materials reduce in size.
Take timber joists as an example. When builders install them in a new property, they often hold more moisture than they should. Ideally, timber should sit between 8–12% moisture content. But during construction, properties often stand open without a roof or windows, leaving them exposed to the elements. Rain or even damp air raises the moisture levels.
As the building dries, the timber naturally shrinks. This process is normal and not something the construction industry can fully avoid. After all, you can’t build the roof and windows before the walls are up.
Why shrinkage leads to squeaks
When materials shrink, they sometimes separate from adjoining parts or start to warp. Timber joists are especially prone to this. As a joist warps, the top edge tilts where it meets the chipboard flooring. This tilt creates a small gap, or void, between the joist and the chipboard.
When you step on the floor above the void, the chipboard flexes downward. The screws or nails stay fixed in place, so the two materials move against each other. Over time, that rubbing creates one of the most common types of floor squeak – the “fixing squeak.”
Adding more nails or screws rarely solves this. In fact, it often makes the problem worse, as it increases the number of points where rubbing occurs.
Shrinkage isn’t the only cause
Of course, shrinkage isn’t the only reason floors squeak. Joists are almost impossible to install perfectly level in every case. Excessive warping or tilting, however, is something we see often in homes with particularly noisy floors.
The answer to the question
So, does shrinkage cause floor squeaks? The answer is yes. Shrinkage plays a major role in why floors squeak, especially when combined with other construction quirks.
If you’re struggling with noisy floors and suspect shrinkage might be the cause, SqueakFix can help you put things right.
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