Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Repair bumps & squeaks on wood floor

I began my remodelling process this summer. Bought the house 2 years ago.

Today I ripped out the carpet in my living room and exposed the old wood floor. My original plan was to install a new layer of planks over the existing. but we kind of kiled the budget when we ordered our cabinets and appliances. So if possible, I'd like to salvage the existing floor.

After removing the carpet and walking on the old floor, there are many spots that have bumped up and squeaks. Some of these problem spots are quite large. 2'6"(L) x 6"(W). Can this be repaired? I never noticed the squeaks when walking on the carpet, probably because of the padding.

There are also a lot of water stains and blemishes on the floor. I'm guessing that if I sand a layer off the floor, than those would be gone.

I took 2 pictures of my floor. I was hoping someone will be able to help me out with a few questions from the pictures.

1. Can you tell what type of wood the floor is?
2. Is it worth salvaging this floor or better to just install a new floor over it?
3. If it is better to install a new floor, do I still need to fix the squeaks first, or just shave/sand the floor so that it is even?

http://home.earthlink.net/~hketo11/living_room_floor.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~hketo11/close_up_floor.jpg

Appreciate any help. As a side note. I've learned a lot by trying to do a lot of the work myself. But I don't envy the jobs of contractors. A lot of the work is very difficult. Today, after removing the old carpet and one area had sticky vinyl that I pulled out. I had to remove all those nails/tacks/staples. It took me hours. And my right hand is still rediculously weak a couple hours later. I'm just hoping to get the nice "high" when I see the floor completed. Everytime I finish a part of the renovations, I pat myself on the back and take a couple days off from working again. That's why it's taking me so long. ;)

I believe that is oak. The grain patterns look like it's red oak actually. Sanding will definately deal with the blemishes, I don't know what to tell you about the humps and squeeks. All older hardwood squeek to some extent, but there could possibly have been water damage to the floor that would make the subfloor swell, causing the problem? Not sure what to tell you about how to fix it though, if it is really humped badly.

Keith Leonard

some of the bumps might sand out. if the boards are loose, then you will need to tighten them down. the easiest way would be to use screws, and screw them back down. you might need to be able to get under the house, to make sure there is something to screw them down to, like a joist, or you may have to add some wood to screw into. they make a screw that snaps off just under the level of the floor, and then you would need to use a filler over it. just try to screw down only in spots it absolutely needs it.

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna start tackling this problem during the weekend and update this post as I go along.

Looks like oak.

From the pictures I don't see why you can not have that floor repaired and sanded, for a nice finish. But I'm not looking at it in person.

I wouldn't screw down anything! If you can screw up( LOL!) from below, it would be best.

My floors far more worse than yours and they cleaned up. Screwing from under the house through the subfloor into the wood without going through is the way to go but it is time consuming and you won't get out every squeek. A nice throw rugs works pretty good as well!