Loose floorboards on landing, how to chose a carpenter?

sunshune

Hi All

I have a serious problem with loose floorboards on our landing. I am not sure if they are broken or bending under the weight when we walk on them but I am really worried.

I read a while back that there was a site where you could check for contractors in your area that have been recommended and are 'reputable' but I can't for the life of me remember the site. I was wondering whether anyone knew it. I am reluctant to just pick up the yellow pages and none of my friends or famliy know of any.

Thanks in advance

SailorSam

The only thing you need to be careful of when fixing it yourself is watch out for any pipes or cables.
Not a lot you can break by trying yourself.

How To Fix Squeaky Floorboards (Lifestyle & Home: DIY & Interiors)

WestonDave

Agreed - its most likely to be where they have been lifted to fit new heating or wiring. In order to get nailed down boards up, you often end up splitting them or having to cut the tongue (some boards were tongue and groove). When they are put back down they rub against each other, move or simply aren't fixed because the contractor couldn't be bothered to fix to each joist. Have a nose and see what you can do - adding screws (not nails because chances are you will want to get back into the same place!) may solve the problem.

Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong but I think if you rub some beeswax on the joists before you put the boards down, and on the screws it will help stop them squeaking as they rub.

sunshune

Thank you so much for your help, I'll have to get my husband to rip the carpets up at the weekend. I just hope the boards are not split, that's how they feel at the moment.

Is carpet easy to re-lay once you have pulled it up?

Inactive

sunshune wrote: »

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Is carpet easy to re-lay once you have pulled it up?

Yes, remove any nearby door strips, then gently prize up from the edge.

Re-lay be replacing and stretching back on to grippers, push edge down with a bolster.

LandyAndy

sunshune wrote: »

Thank you so much for your help, I'll have to get my husband to rip the carpets up at the weekend. I just hope the boards are not split, that's how they feel at the moment.

Is carpet easy to re-lay once you have pulled it up?

Lift the carpets carefully.;)

Even a split board shouldn't be too hard to replace in whole or in part.

ormus

i doubt very much if its a "serious problem".
simply a matter of screwing them down or at worst replacing some planks, if they are warped badly.

27col

I suppose that we are all different but it would never occur to me to look for a carpenter if I had a loose or squeaky board. My first response would be to have a look for myself, then if I really could not see a way out of the problem, I might possibly contact a handyman. As I have said many times on here, it is not rocket science.
In my case, if there was a problem then it was me that caused it, because I built the house myself.
Carefully remove the carpet (not rip it up as the op suggested). Then have a good look at the problem and the solution should be self evident. If there is a split or broken board it can usually be easily replaced. If the solution is not self evident at that stage, or you do not think that you can deal with it, then contact a handyman possibly.