I just moved into a 1920s bungalow, and everything is charming except one thing: whenever the central heating starts up, the attic floorboards creak loudly like someone pacing around up there. The noise isn’t constant - it usually happens within the first 10 minutes of the heater running and then stops. I’ve checked the attic and found nothing out of the ordinary (no critters, no loose floorboards visible). I’m guessing it might be related to the wood expanding and contracting with the heat, but I’m worried it could signal a bigger problem or damage over time. Has anyone else experienced this kind of creaking linked specifically to heating cycles? What’s the best way to diagnose if it’s harmless expansion or something needing repair? Also, are there any quick fixes to reduce the noise without ripping up the floor?

On 02/13/2026 at 5:25 AM, FurryTales said:

I just moved into a 1920s bungalow, and everything is charming except one thing: whenever the central heating starts up, the attic floorboards creak loudly like someone pacing around up there. The noise isn’t constant - it usually happens within the first 10 minutes of the heater running and then stops. I’ve checked the attic and found nothing out of the ordinary (no critters, no loose floorboards visible). I’m guessing it might be related to the wood expanding and contracting with the heat, but I’m worried it could signal a bigger problem or damage over time. Has anyone else experienced this kind of creaking linked specifically to heating cycles? What’s the best way to diagnose if it’s harmless expansion or something needing repair? Also, are there any quick fixes to reduce the noise without ripping up the floor?

That creaking right when the heat kicks in definitely sounds like the wood expanding as it warms up. Old houses like yours often have floorboards nailed down in a way that lets them shift just enough to make noise when temperatures change. Since you’ve ruled out critters and loose boards, it’s probably just normal thermal movement.

One thing that helped me was sprinkling a bit of powdered graphite or talcum powder between the boards where they meet the joists - just enough to reduce friction without tearing anything up. It’s a simple fix that doesn’t require pulling up floorboards. Also, keeping the attic well ventilated can help moderate temperature swings, which might lessen the creaking over time.

If it starts to get worse or you notice any sagging or gaps, then it might be worth having a pro check the joists and nails, but from what you describe, it sounds like a harmless quirk of a charming old home.

On 02/14/2026 at 4:45 PM, steady_pine said:

On 02/13/2026 at 5:25 AM, FurryTales said:

I just moved into a 1920s bungalow, and everything is charming except one thing: whenever the central heating starts up, the attic floorboards creak loudly like someone pacing around up there. The noise isn’t constant - it usually happens within the first 10 minutes of the heater running and then stops. I’ve checked the attic and found nothing out of the ordinary (no critters, no loose floorboards visible). I’m guessing it might be related to the wood expanding and contracting with the heat, but I’m worried it could signal a bigger problem or damage over time. Has anyone else experienced this kind of creaking linked specifically to heating cycles? What’s the best way to diagnose if it’s harmless expansion or something needing repair? Also, are there any quick fixes to reduce the noise without ripping up the floor?

That creaking right when the heat kicks in definitely sounds like the wood expanding as it warms up. Old houses like yours often have floorboards nailed down in a way that lets them shift just enough to make noise when temperatures change. Since you’ve ruled out critters and loose boards, it’s probably just normal thermal movement.

One thing that helped me was sprinkling a bit of powdered graphite or talcum powder between the boards where they meet the joists - just enough to reduce friction without tearing anything up. It’s a simple fix that doesn’t require pulling up floorboards. Also, keeping the attic well ventilated can help moderate temperature swings, which might lessen the creaking over time.

If it starts to get worse or you notice any sagging or gaps, then it might be worth having a pro check the joists and nails, but from what you describe, it sounds like a harmless quirk of a charming old home.

That initial burst of creaking right when the heat kicks on definitely sounds like wood expanding quickly from the temperature change. Old bungalows often have floorboards nailed down in a way that lets them shift just enough to make noise but not enough to cause damage. Since you’ve ruled out critters and loose boards, it’s probably just the wood settling into the new warmth.

If you want to quiet it down without ripping up the floor, you might try a light dusting of talcum powder or graphite between the boards to reduce friction. Also, keeping the heating ramp-up more gradual - if your system allows - can help minimize sudden expansion. Just keep an eye on it over time; if the creaking starts getting louder or more frequent, it could be worth having a pro check for any subtle structural issues.