Uses for WD40 on Squeaky Floors: Quick Mobile Home Fixes

Squeaky floors in a mobile home are so common; we bet you have at least one spot right now. And it’s likely driving you a bit mad.

Let’s look at why your mobile home floor is squeaking and how you can fix it as quickly as possible.

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Reasons Why Your Mobile Home Floor is Squeaking

Squeaky floors are mostly a sign that a house is naturally aging. But, the issue could be something else entirely.

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Gaps between the joists and the subfloor

The components of a floor must fit tightly together with the appropriate fasteners. 

A lot of the time, a squeaky floor is caused by joists that aren’t firmly attached to the subfloor, which causes gaps. The gaps allow the two parts to rub against one another under stress.

When you find gaps caused by poor repair work, you’ll fill them with shims.

Is a squeaky floor a defect?

It’s normal for a floor to squeak as it ages. 

But, if it happens in the first 24 months of purchasing a mobile home, it is indeed a defect. You report any possible defect to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Warped or twisted joists

The type of wood you use matters. Using the wrong wood can cause inconsistencies, resulting in squeak squeak.

You can run into other issues with the wrong wood. For example, if you use green wood to do repairs, it can cure and dry under the floor, causing inconsistencies.

Friction with nails or bolts against floorboards, beams, or both

It’s up to the nails and bolts in the floor to tightly hold the beams and floorboards. If they loosen, the flooring moves up and down and causes the aforementioned annoying noise.

You can’t do much to fix the issue other than replace the entire floor. Failing nails and bolts are signs of an aging mobile home. 

Rotting floor

Fingers crossed, the squeak isn’t a red flag that the floor of your manufactured home is rotting. Because if it is, it means replacing everything down to the subfloor.

Jump up and down in the spot that is making the noise. If you feel a bounce, rot is likely the culprit.

Leaky appliances

Leaks are the least likely to be the problem. But, if the squeaks are in the kitchen or laundry room, check the bottom of the appliances.

A washing machine or dishwasher can release water into the flooring and do all sorts of unspeakable damage.

Do squeaky floors mean water damage?

Rarely is water damage the cause of a squeak. 

More commonly, the red flags for water damage include the following:

• stained or discolored wood
• buckling or cupping wood
• nails that pop out of lifted boards
• visible mold growth

Furniture or appliances are over the flooring weight limit

Mobile home floors can only hold so much comfortably because the parts are made of wood, bolted together, and then linked to the rest of the structure.

When you go over that weight limit, the spots where the heavy appliance or future sits will age faster and weaken quicker.

You likely won’t hear a squeak as long as the heavy object sits in that spot. The squeak comes after you remove it.

The more wood you have, the more chance it has to squeak

The more wood you add, the higher the chance of friction.

For instance, adding a wooden staircase means a higher probability you’ll experience the ear assault of a squeak.

Replace the floor

It probably won’t come to replace the floor, but it’s always an option.

Or, take the opportunity to choose a different type of floor for your mobile home.

Why does my floor squeak more in the winter than in the summer?

If you have a lot of wood flooring, you are more likely to experience squeaking during the shift in seasons due to the natural expansion and contraction processes.

Should I worry about squeaky floors?

Don’t panic. Squeaky floors are rarely a sign of something serious and are easy to fix.

How do you fix squeaky floors in a mobile home?

A lot of the time, just adding shims can clear up the noise pollution. But, sometimes, it takes more extreme measures to fix it.

Carpenter’s glue

The carpenter’s glue method works best when the squeaky spot is above a mobile home crawlspace.

• Use the crawlspace to get under the flooring while a second person walks above you. 
• Listen to the steps and find the source of trouble.
• Coat the shims with the carpenter’s glue.
• Hammer the shims into the gaps.
• Don’t hammer the shims too deeply because it can dislodge some parts or raise the floor.

End the squeak with a squeak ender

Squeak enders are a real thing and purposefully designed to relieve you and the floor of stress.

Always follow the instructions. It keeps installation easy.

More bolts and nails

If you narrowed down the issue to losing bolts or nails, just add a few more at various points.

What about using lubrication to stop the squeak?

Wood lubricants are bandied for squeaks. Sure, they stop the problem at the moment, but it won’t take long for it to return. 

In most cases, it doesn’t take long to fix the actual cause of the noise. And it stops any possible further damage that the reapplication of lubrication causes.

Not to mention that lubricants work better on metal than wood-to-wood or wood-to-metal surfaces.

What is a common cause of squeaking floors?

• gaps between parts of the floor
• damaged joists
• bolt and nail friction
• the floor is rotting
• water damage due to leaking appliances
• too much weight against the flooring
• if your entire mobile home is wood, you’ll likely get more squeaks

How do I fix a squeaking floor in my mobile home?

• the carpenter’s glue technique
• grab a squeak ender
• add more bolts and nails
• lubricant (temporary fix)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do squeaky floors need to be replaced?

Squeaky floors may not necessarily need to be replaced. It is possible to address the issue by using screws to secure the subfloor to the joists and ensure proper attachment. Additionally, shims can be inserted into gaps, floorboard lubricants can be applied, and construction adhesive can be used for longer gaps.

What is causing my trailer to squeak?

The cause of the squeaking noise in your trailer is often the leaf springs used for its suspension. These leaf springs can produce a squeak when they rub against each other, as this is how they generate their spring effect to provide a comfortable ride for your trailer.

What causes squeaky floor joists?

Squeaky floor joists can be caused by various factors, such as improper spacing or lack of proper blocking. When the floor joists are spaced too far apart or not adequately blocked, they can easily move and create squeaks in the finished floor. To minimize these squeaks, it is essential to ensure proper spacing and install blocking between the joists to add stiffness and prevent movement.

Why do trailer floors get soft?

Trailer floors can become soft due to various factors, including water damage, flooring deterioration, structural issues during manufacturing, inadequate insulation, and faulty seals. If these issues are not addressed, they can create a moist environment that ultimately leads to a spongy trailer floor.

Should I worry about squeaky floors?

You should consider whether or not to be concerned about squeaky floors. If your floors continue to squeak for an extended period of time, even after seasonal changes, or if you are unsure about fixing them yourself, it would be advisable to seek the assistance of a professional.

Do creaky floors mean foundation issues?

Creaky floors do not necessarily indicate foundation issues. However, if your home has a pier and beam foundation, it is more likely that your floors will creak.

Will WD40 stop squeaky floorboards?

WD40 oil or PVA glue can be used to stop squeaky floorboards. To apply WD40, spray it over the gap between the squeaky floorboards and rub it in using your fingers or rubber gloves. Afterward, use a rag to wipe off any excess oil and then clean the floor with a floor cleaner to remove any remaining oil residue.

How can I get my floor to stop squeaking?

To stop your floor from squeaking, one effective method is to lubricate the hardwood floors. Lubricating involves applying a substance that reduces friction, known as a lubricant. By reducing friction, the squeaking can be alleviated.

Why do my floors squeak when I walk on them?

My floors squeak when I walk on them due to the house settling and the flooring lumber drying out and shrinking. This causes the boards to rub against each other or slide against nail shafts, resulting in annoying squeaks and creaks.

Do squeaky floors go away?

Squeaky floors do not always disappear completely. Some squeaks may come and go depending on the seasons, while others may persist indefinitely. Although most squeaks are harmless, some may indicate underlying problems beneath the floor. Regardless of the cause, we have provided a comprehensive guide on how to locate the squeak, identify its source, and effectively resolve the issue for a long-lasting solution.

Do squeaky floors mean water damage?

Squeaky floors can be an indication of water damage if the subfloor is compromised. If the subfloor is old or has been affected by water damage, it may not provide sufficient support for nails and other fasteners. As a result, the subfloor or top floor can become loose and shift, leading to squeaks and creaks.

Do squeaky floors mean termites?

Squeaky floors can be a sign of termite damage if the termite infestation is left untreated for an extended period of time, causing the wooden floors to weaken and start creaking excessively.

Why do floors creak under carpet?

Floors creak under the carpet due to the shifting of the subfloor caused by uneven joists. As you walk on the floor, the nails gradually loosen, creating small gaps between the subfloor and the joists. When pressure is applied to these gaps, the loose nails squeak in their respective holes.

Does cornstarch help squeaky floors?

Cornstarch can help with squeaky floors by acting as a lubricant when spread over the seams where the boards are rubbing. This simple remedy offered by Woodbridge Environmental can effectively fix the squeaks in a matter of seconds as the powder fills in the gaps and reduces friction.

Why do floors squeak more at night?

Floors squeak more at night because the cooler temperatures cause materials like wooden floors, house-building materials, and furniture to shrink and slip slightly, resulting in creaking and groaning sounds. These sounds are more noticeable during the night when the home and neighborhood are quieter compared to the daytime.

What is the most common cause of squeaking floors?

The most common cause of squeaking floors is typically loose boards. The movement and bounciness in these boards result in them rubbing against each other or against a fixing nail or floor joist, leading to the creation of an unpleasant and annoying noise known as creaking or squeaking.

Is it expensive to fix squeaky floors?

The cost of repairing one or two boards typically ranges around $200, especially if the subfloor is easily accessible from the home’s crawl space or basement. However, if the entire subfloor requires repair or replacement, the total cost is likely to be closer to $1,000.

When should I be concerned about creaking floors?

You should be concerned about creaking floors when you have a squeaky wood floor that persists even after seasonal changes. It is advisable to contact a flooring professional to investigate any potential underlying issues.

Is it normal for floors to creak over time?

It is normal for floors to creak over time. There is no need to worry as a creak or squeak does not indicate any significant structural damage, such as termites, that could lead to a floor or joist collapsing. Additionally, fixing creaky floors is a relatively simple task. While any type of floor can develop squeaks, hardwood floors, and staircases are commonly associated with this issue.

Can humidity cause squeaky floors?

Humidity can cause squeaky floors as floorboards tend to release moisture and shrink in size during the winter, resulting in contraction. This contraction leads to the floorboards rubbing against each other or the nails, causing squeaking due to their increased ability to move.

Why do my floors creak under carpet?

My floors creak under carpet because the subfloor and joists may not be level with each other. This causes the subfloor to shift as I walk on it, which gradually loosens the nails and creates small gaps between the subfloor and joists. When I step on these gaps, the loose nails squeak in the holes they have made.

Why does my laminate floor creak when I walk on it?

Your laminate floor creaks when you walk on it because it is likely bridging across hollow spots underneath the flooring. The interlocking tongues and grooves in the laminate flooring are stressed by your weight, resulting in the snapping and popping noise. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to eliminate this noise once the laminate floor has been installed.