I had new hardwood floor installed Fall '09.. That year's winter season was very mild.. This year however has been a cold winter - and from Nov'10, I started hearing popping noise.. many have told me that it's from my baseboard.. any idea if this is correct or suggestion for how to correct it or will it just correct itself?

From the baseboard? Thats a new one for me. Probably loosened up fasteners in the floor somewhere. It happens when the wood dries out to much, they lose their grip.

Hi Stephen - thanks for your response.. As my basement is unfinished, I've done a visual check - and can't see to locate the problem... The popping noise is coming from one area... Is there anyway to correct this problem without totally ripping up my hardwood floor?

Well you must have had a subfloor installed under the hardwood correct? Lets start there. Have someone walk around that area while your ear is to the floor and try and track it down.

okay -- I know the area? --- what's the process to correct it -- will it correct it's self over time (like in spring when the air is not so dry)--- I am hoping (actually praying) that I don't have to remove the hardwood flrs..

You should wait and see. Again, what type of installation was that? It's a basement so I doubt it is solid hardwood? Is it a floater, click, gluedown or naildown over a plywood?

sorry, correction -- the problem is on the main floor... I think the process the installer used was to click the hardwood floor into place.. As for the plywood--for are 5/8 plywood subfloors -- which were both gluedown and naildown.. This popping noise started around winter time.. It has gotten a bit better - the popping noise is not all the time... Sometimes its after the furance comes..

Hmm a click floor that makes a poppin sound. I'd have to be there. R U in Tucson lol

If they think it's from the baseboard...they may be hearing the noise coming from the baseboard area? If so...the baseboard isn't the culprit, but I would pull the base, and I'll bet there's a section where the plank is tight against the wall. When you walk accross a floating floor the movement of the plank ,( even very slight movement),can cause that tight area to rub, creating a popping or creaking noise.

Hi Howard - -I think you might be correct --When I walk across the floor - there is very slight movement.. "pull the base" ..can it be done just for the particular area that's causing the noise?-- is it very expensive process?

I have heard popping from baseboard, but not this long after the install. It is from tacky paint along with slight deflection of a floating floor.

Thanks Jeff-- with my limited knowledge I would also agree with you..... My house is only 6yrs old - and many have also said that it's still settling... The major thing after installing the floor I and humidifier -- the basement was previously cold but a/c guy blew the furnace motor and replaced it.. With this new motor - when the heat comes on - it's louder and I can feel it in the floors.... The problem area is near furnace

Should be able to pinpoint the area by sound, and remove the base just at that area. Should be obvious once the base is pulled. It may be a matter of a little plank trimming with a multifunction tool. Shouldn't be expensive.

Thanks Howard.