In my 26 year-plus radio career, I have answered more than 85,000 questions on home improvement. If I ranked the top 10 topics, squeaky floors makes the top 5. Squeaky floors are, it seems, a problem across the country. Carpeted, hardwood and vinyl floors squeak. Here's how to try to eliminate those floor squeaks.

Quieting the floor

Tools: Drill, Phillips head screwdriver, computer with Internet

connection, clean cloth

Materials: Powdered graphite, Squeak Ender, Squeeeeek No More

1. If you have access under your floor, you can try Squeak Ender (800) 854-3577, www.squeakender.com. This products works by stopping the cause of the problem, a sub-floor that has become separated from the joist. By screwing the plate into the sub-floor and placing the brackets under the floor joist, you can tighten the separation. Check out their Web site for a video of how to install the product and how the product works.

2. If you cannot get under the floor and you have carpeting, this is the product for you. It is called Squeeeeek No More by O'Berry Enterprises (800) 459-8428, www.oberry-

enterprises.com. The special device guides the screw and controls the depth. The screw is scored, so once it is in place, you can break off the end just below the surface of the subfloor. If you go to www.123itsdone.com, you can see a video of the process.

3. If you cannot get under the floor and you have no carpeting, try using powdered graphite. After removing the dirt from the joints, apply the graphite powder between the squeaky boards.