Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 28, 2006 05:56pm | #1

   Graphite can be very messy. it's a dry black powder that sticks to everything, picture white socks. You could try some talcum or baby powder. You are better to tighten up the squeak with shims, glue and/or fasteners. There is a screw designed for fixing this problem. They screw down through the face of the floor and they break off below the surface. You could also use a trim head screw in hardwood, with both you will have to fill a small hole.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

2. 
   Floss | Feb 28, 2006 08:11pm | #2

   pcain,

   You need to determine what is causing the squeak. Most of the time it is a board which is not fastened all the way and it is rubbing against a nail which causes the squeak. I don't thing you will get graphite into such a place.

   You are better off trying to screw from underneath, or pop up a couple of boards and re-install.

   I don't mind old floors that squeak and pop. Good way to tell who is home.

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
3. 
   Pondfish | Feb 28, 2006 08:17pm | #3

   Avoid graphite at all costs -- it is way too messy and you will have it tracked all over.

   A cure is to re-attach the floor to the joist, but this is not always possible.  Treating the symptom is to lubricate the nail(s) causing the squeek.  For this, use talcum (baby) powder.  It works and you avoid the mess you get with graphite.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
1. 
   pcain | Feb 28, 2006 09:14pm | #4

   There are lots of squeaky floors in our house, but the problem that got me thinking about this was that one of the squeakier places is just in front of the baby's crib - the alternative to fixing it is to hover over the floor, something I haven't yet mastered :). This is a second-floor room, so no getting at it from below. How would I get the baby powder in? Is it like sanding a brick path, where you work it in and eventually remove the excess?

1. 
   Pondfish | Feb 28, 2006 09:33pm | #5

   Assuming you have wood flooring, shake in into the cracks and let it work its way in.

   There's a web site (whose address I can't remember) for a couple guys in NYC who are like the Car Talk of home maintenance.  Maybe give it a google and see what you can find, they are always talking about using baby powder to remove squeeks.Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005