Underneath Repair

• 1). Enter your basement and move to the general area of the squeak. Have someone walk on the floor above until you locate where the sound is coming from. For houses without basement access, refer to the next section on securing the floor from above.
  
  
• 2). Look for the board that is moving and listen for the squeak. If the basement has a drop in or finished ceiling it will be necessary to remove the ceiling panels. Finished ceilings are much more involved and you should consider making the repair from above.
  
  
• 3). Apply glue to a shim and tap into place between the boards and the joist. Do not tap it in too far, you do not want to loosen the board further or cause it to bow.
  
  

Above Repair

• 1). Locate the squeak. Use your ears to hear the squeak.
  
  
• 2). Drill a pilot hole into the wood where the squeak is located. You are going to use a screw to fasten the loose board to the subfloor.
  
  
• 3). Drill a counter snap screw into the pilot hole. The screw is designed to snap off just past the top of the wood.
  
  
• 4). Fill the small hole with tinted wood putty and scrape smooth with your finger.