Stop floor movement by driving pairs of finish nails into the floor at angles, so that they form a “V” when in place. You can drive them right through the carpet, no problem. On finished wood floors, fill the resulting nail holes with a colored wax pencil that matches the wood tone—available at home improvement centers. Sometimes friction can be reduced by applying talcum powder or by spraying Teflon lubricant into the joints between noisy floorboards, either from above or below. If this doesn’t fix the squeak, your fan blades may be out of balance, Christofora says. Grab a fan-balancing kit, found at most hardware and home stores. The directions will guide you through the process—it’s pretty straightforward. Still squeaking? It could be that the fan motor’s bearings are worn out. Unfortunately, replacement may be the best solution. Inspect the bed frame, headboard, and footboard, tightening all loose screws and bolts. If your frame is metal, apply a quality liquid or spray lubricant anywhere parts rub together. (Christofora recommends liquid or spray Teflon.) If your frame is wood, apply wax wherever pieces meet. “Beeswax works best, but paraffin wax, or even an old candle, will work, too,” he says. Tap small glue-covered wood shims into any loose joints, which can develop when wood shrinks over time. Finally, if you notice any wiggling in your screw holes, fill them with a liquid “screw tightener” or simple wood epoxy. For squeaky drawers that have nylon wheels and metal glides, apply liquid or spray Teflon lubricant to both the wheels and the glides. (Remove the drawers below the one you are working on, too, so the lubricant doesn’t drip down and ruin its contents.) Wipe up any excess lubricant, replace the drawer, then slide it in and out to ensure the squeak is gone. If it’s not, repeat until it is.
6 Common Gutter Problems and How to Fix Them The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season
