Can securing joists help eliminate popping nails in hardwood floors?

Yes, securing joists and fastening the subfloor more tightly reduces movement that causes nail pops in hardwood floors. Loose fasteners flex when the floor shifts, popping nails above. Reinforcing joists with additional screws or brackets stabilizes the structure, anchoring the floor securely. This structural repair is necessary to stop nail pops from recurring and improve floor longevity. Surface treatments alone do not prevent popping nails without fixing joist movement first.