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Joiner input please - chipboard floor cracking/squeaky
pawlala
Posts: 1,429 Forumite
hi! 
Owner of 12 month old new build here. One of the rooms upstairs (approx 4x4m) has horrendous noises when you walk on it, not your typical stair creak noises, more like cracking. You can hear it above and below the floor. Doesn't appear to be affecting the ceiling below, there are no cracks or pops visible. Builder came and pulled carpet up to put screws in next to all the nails in the (green) chipboard. Did not solve the problem.
They came back to inspect it again and said they knew what the problem was this time as they fixed a similar problem on another property. They said the "straps" underneath the boards where the joists meet the external wall could be loose and would need fixing, requiring them to cut a hatch to fix the problem.
To all you joiners out there does this sound right, and whatever the problem is down below in that one hatch area would that fix the whole floor?
Owner of 12 month old new build here. One of the rooms upstairs (approx 4x4m) has horrendous noises when you walk on it, not your typical stair creak noises, more like cracking. You can hear it above and below the floor. Doesn't appear to be affecting the ceiling below, there are no cracks or pops visible. Builder came and pulled carpet up to put screws in next to all the nails in the (green) chipboard. Did not solve the problem.
They came back to inspect it again and said they knew what the problem was this time as they fixed a similar problem on another property. They said the "straps" underneath the boards where the joists meet the external wall could be loose and would need fixing, requiring them to cut a hatch to fix the problem.
To all you joiners out there does this sound right, and whatever the problem is down below in that one hatch area would that fix the whole floor?
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Comments
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It sounds more like they have not used any glue on the boards.
John.0 -
Agree with John, also if they just put screws in next to the nail without drilling a pilot hole the screws won't pull the boards down.
Sounds like poor workmanship.
From what your saying they think the odd joist is not sitting in the joist hangers properly but to be honest the weight of the flooring and furniture etc should stop the joists from moving.Which sounds like Bull sh*t to me.More likely the flooring isn't fixed down tight.0 -
Yes chipboard should be glued to each other and... also to the joists.
Sounds like the chipboard is not in contact with the joists - could be a joist put in at slightly the wrong level or a joist hanger hit or come loose during the build. If it is a built in joist the wall bearing could be unsatisfactory.
But it could also be a missing joist, or cut edge unsupported, or chipboard that is too thin, or joists overspan...etc
Basically it needs opening up...and watch them like a hawk so BS does not baffle brains.
For what it is worth, the strap explanation sounds unlikely!0 -
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leveller2911 wrote: »0
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leveller2911 wrote: »Yes chipboard should be glued to each other and... also to the joists.
Never heard of that,I wouldn't glue it down. I'm sure any plumbers needing to access under the floor will love you.....:D
OK point taken, but this has been a requirement for years. That said, I have watched Dom and Melinda's builders on TV...they are the "experts" and they were not glueing down the chipboard.
What hope is there for those who want a job done properly!0 -
leveller2911 wrote: »
OK point taken, but this has been a requirement for years. That said, I have watched Dom and Melinda's builders on TV...they are the "experts" and they were not glueing down the chipboard.
What hope is there for those who want a job done properly!
News to me, is that in the building regs for new builds?
Can you post a link?
Its quite possible to do the job properly by not glueing the floor to the joists, creating more work for the Plumbers in the future is not to be recommended as their language can get very "Anglo Saxon" when they need to lift a floor and someone has glued it down..:D0 -
leveller2911 wrote: »Yes chipboard should be glued to each other and... also to the joists.
Never heard of that,I wouldn't glue it down. I'm sure any plumbers needing to access under the floor will love you.....:D
Totally agree, it should be glued sheet to sheet but not glued down, :eek:
Most floors have to come up at some point, lets keep the damage to the sheey material, not the joists;);)I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.
Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)
Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed0 -
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leveller2911 wrote: »
News to me, is that in the building regs for new builds?
Can you post a link?
Its quite possible to do the job properly by not glueing the floor to the joists, creating more work for the Plumbers in the future is not to be recommended as their language can get very "Anglo Saxon" when they need to lift a floor and someone has glued it down..:D
NHBC Technical Standards 6.4 - S190
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