The most common reason for hardwood to make a popping sound, specifically at night, is a change in humidity. The home cools during the transition from day to night and that can impact humidity levels in the home. The popping sound can be especially loud if the fit of the wood is very tight.
There should not be any creeking/popping when walking on a properly installed floor. The sound means the seams are flexing, and when that sound goes away, it means it has worn down far enough and lost strength. Seams will make this sound if the board is warped or the subfloor is not flat. How long was this level?
Your house is contracting due to the night drop in temperature. During the day, in the warming sun, your house expands ever so slightly. Once the sun goes down so does the temperature.
There is no need to panic. In real life, squeaks are not a big problem, which means they do not indicate structural damage, such as termites, that could cause the floor or crane to collapse. And repairing hardwood floors is very simple. Although any floor can creak, stairs and hard floors are the most common culprits.
The joists might be spaced too far apart, weakened by damage from pests, wood rot, or moisture. Even general wear and tear can weaken the floor joists as time passes, leading to a progressively bouncy floor.
While they might seem like a minor inconvenience initially, bouncy floors can indicate serious structural issues that worsen over time. It's important to consult crawl space repair experts like JES Foundation Repair at the first sign of these problems.
An uneven subfloor is most likely to be the culprit for that spongy feeling if the issue is not evenly distributed but confined to specific areas – particularly if you can rule out causes such as water damage if, for instance, the flooring is newly installed.
Squeaky Floors Are a Structural Problem
It's better to play it safe. If you notice that your floors are creaking, bouncing, and squeaking as you walk on them, you should call a professional to inspect your foundation for a sure answer.
The environment can also cause creaky wood floors. Perhaps there is extra moisture or humidity in your home. It could also be making noise if there is a fluctuation in temperature. Wood expands and contracts as things warm up and cool down throughout the day.
Wet or water-damaged subfloors that are structurally unstable can cause long-term problems with your home, and simply replacing the wood floor on top will not fix the problem. Loud squeaks and creaks are likely with an unstable subfloor.
Floor creaking
It could be a sign of problems in the subfloor, like rotten wood or termites chewing at the boards if it's new. If the floor seems to give more than it used to, consult a professional to see if you need repairs made. Learn more about how home insurance covers floor damage.
Just not a ghost. If you have an unfinished attic, odds are those footsteps you hear come from some rowdy ducks, mice, a cat or even a wily raccoon. Maybe they are looking for food or – perhaps – to escape from becoming food.
Specifically, these sounds are due to the shifting, settling, and adjusting caused by changes in the temperature outside.
Temperature and Humidity Changes
Wood is sensitive to changes in moisture levels. During winter or summer, the wood in your floors may expand or contract as the indoor air becomes drier or more humid. This can cause floorboards to shift slightly, resulting in creaks and groans.
Most of the time, this is just the normal thermal expansion and contraction of your home's wooden structure and attic beams. It happens often when the air cools in the evening and the wood contracts.
Floors That Make a Popping Sound
The sound happens when a plank becomes loose and the nail rubs against the subfloor. If you have access to your floors from underneath, driving screws into the loose planks will usually solve the problem.
The most common reason for a house to make noises is temperature changes in the air, or what is known as thermal expansion and contraction. The temperature changes cause the wood, metal and other materials in the house structure to expand and contract, resulting in ominous creaks.
When nails or screws no longer fit tightly, boards can rub together. That noise you hear is the sound the boards make when they rub together. This can be because of nails or screws that don't fit tightly anymore. Sometimes old hardwood floors can start to squeak as they expand and contract depending on humidity levels.
Do your floors squeak? If so, you might want to consider repairing them before you start showing your house on the market. This way, the squeaky floors won't be the reason you aren't moving to your new home. Though you may be used to the squeaky floors in your old, charming house, prospective buyers won't be.
Look for cracks in walls or floors, uneven/sloping floors, sticking doors/windows, and gaps around them. Also, be mindful of cracks in exterior brick or concrete, and a sagging/uneven roofline. Identifying these signs early can prevent further damage to your house foundation.
This can be due to excessive moisture, humidity, or pest infestations, leading to rot, mold, or damage to the wooden structures that support your home. The result of this damage is a loss in the stability of your floors, thus causing them to feel bouncy or springy.
Signs of Floor Sinking
Uneven or Sagging Floors: If you notice that your floors are uneven or sagging, it is a clear sign of floor sinking. Use a level to check if your floors are sloping. Gaps Between Floor and Wall: Gaps between the floor and the baseboards or walls can indicate that your floor is sinking.