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We are in and now shoe molding is squeaking!

15 years ago

Not sure if I should post this on the flooring forum but we have been in about a month and as we walk around in the kitchen the shoe molding that is between the floor and the cabinet squeaks. My husband and I can't stand squeaks so this is annoying...is there anything that can be done? We live in Michigan so humidity levels vary greatly depending on what season we are in. So swelling and contracting are expected.

Here is a picture of my kitchen. Maple floors up to Pecan cabinets.

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Comments (6)

robin0919
15 years ago
How do you know it's the shoe molding and not the floor itself?
meldy_nva
15 years ago
Did the flooring squeak before the cabinets were installed, or was the flooring laid down after the cabinets? If cabinets were installed first, the board end/s possibly could be rubbing against the molding or the cabinet as the floor flexes. Use a cardboard tube (one end to ear and other end to floor) or a touch test to narrow the offending area down to the immediate vicinity producing the noise.

However, I'm a bit dubious about the shoe moulding squeaking. If the squeaks are that consistent, have one person step to make squeak while the other gently touches along the molding. Other should be able to feel the slight vibration of the squeak if it's caused by the floor rubbing along the molding. I'm a bit more inclined to think the squeak is caused by the floorboards flexing down to a slight low place in the underlayment. If you have a warranty, ask the builder to check it out... frankly, I think I'd ask even if it wasn't under warranty.
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Thank you all for you input. It sounds like this is MOSTLY a personal preference, but here is my follow up question. My GC is advocating the shoe moulding for the following reason. Our site finished hardwood floors were installed and then the base boards installed over them. Right now, the base boards look wonderful with no gaps between the base board and floor. However, our GC says that in the future, when we sand down and refinished the floors, there will be a gap which will become more pronounced each time the floor is refinished. The advantage to having the shoe moulding is it can be removed, the floors sanded and refinished and then the shoe moulding is put back on, but set a little lower. I suppose the shoe moulding could be added at a later date if the floors are refinished, but for those of you who have site finished hardwoods and no shoe moulding, how do you plan to handle this? TIA again for your input! Jaymie
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Exactly What Kristin said.... Sometimes when you measure a kitchen you can get a feel for whether you will need shoe molding or not. Quite often it is ordered midway through the install of the cabinets when it becomes obvious it will be needed. Of course you have to pay for it. But it is a fairly standard molding that every cabinet company, maker, custom shop etc would have a standard part of their offerings. Also - did you ask if he is keeping a certain amount of your paint finish? What happens if you need a door replaced in the first year? Dye lots change, there usually is paint kept for parts replacement or add on pieces needed... Did you do crown molding and light rail? Who supplied and finished and installed that? As far as the nail holes! Whoever installed that should be touching that up..... Good luck and keep us posted
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wow, so sorry. That work looks more like something that i might do, myself. And I sure as heck am no carpenter! If you paid someone to do it, you deserve better for your expense. That is really bad. Having just "refreshed" a house in anticipation of selling, i have become quite an artist with caulking and paint. But, it is all coverup. You paid for real, not coverup. It is so darned problematic to hire someone to do these kings of things. We have had our disappointments with it and stories of others' experiences abound. For the record....I hate shoe moulding and curse it. I have seen nice homes where there is none of the convoluted mess around the perimeter of the room. I wish so many things were different about how we build our houses and the materials that are used. We can do better and it is time for a change.
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floors are a lifetime investment. you had to get the shoe molding, the baseboards wouldn't have cost much more ( you get them at a warehouse at wholesale). the flooring people could cut and install them, and you'd diy the rest. That's what I did in my house. all 2400 sq feet. Did all of the baseboards myself. filled the holes, sanded, primed and painted. hated it, but saved thousands. just keep it in mind the next go around. for now, sand, paint, install your shoe. fill the holes w/wood filler, not caulk. sand smooth, prime and paint. then caulk.
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hollyh3kids
Original Author
15 years ago
Cabinets were installed first then floor then shoe molding.
I did not notice any squeaking when the floor was there by itself and the floor installer did leave a slight space as he approached the cabinets so I don't hink its that. I will try your suggestion to narrow down the issue. Thanks!
crazyhouse6
15 years ago
We had more of a cracking or popping sound around the perimeter of our room where the hardwoods meet the baseboard. We were told by the builder that it was caused by the sealant or glue. We just walked through and stepped really hard all around the rooms to get them to crack and we no longer have any noises. We haven't noticed them where the cabinets went in because they were finished off site, but is it possible that this is what your problem is?
ponydoc
15 years ago
We moved in last March and our floors (hickory) popped and cracked like popcorn at times. I do think it takes awhile for them to acclimate - it seems like it was most noticable last summer. It has subsided greatly since. I think if you live with them awhile you will get a better idea if you have a real issue or normal aging etc of the components. I live in Ohio- similar climate to yours- I would give it a good year, all 4 seasons of heating and cooling and you will have a good idea.

How are you enjoying your home??

PD
hollyh3kids
Original Author
15 years ago
Interesting Crazyhouse6 and Ponydoc because once you said that it was more of a cracking or popping I thought YES thats what I meant. Its not really a squeak. Thanks so much, we will give it some time.
We are really enjoying our home...very nice to just play games with the kids at night instead of having to go to the 'house'! Now we are in the 'house'!

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