Joiner input please - chipboard floor cracking/squeaky

cyclonebri1

So the builder has, (this is reading between the lines), somehow used either rebar or possibly threaded studding as a tensioning device below the beams?

Something strange, only just noticed your measurements, a deflection 10mm is pretty normal given the loading and spanning.

I know what furts is saying, but to be honest, anything done as a fix could be seen as a bodge as it is compensating for poor design/workmanship or materials.

Personally a loss of 1" (:eek:) wouldn't be an issue, it really has to be balanced against whether the fix works or not, we know what the other option is and that would be messy;)

Alias_Omega

Could be worse, we have a section which flexes. Its on the bathroom doorway. I suspect there is no support from underneath and its just flexing on the join.

Nice eh.

Furts

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

So the builder has, (this is reading between the lines), somehow used either rebar or possibly threaded studding as a tensioning device below the beams?

Something strange, only just noticed your measurements, a deflection 10mm is pretty normal given the loading and spanning.

I know what furts is saying, but to be honest, anything done as a fix could be seen as a bodge as it is compensating for poor design/workmanship or materials.

Personally a loss of 1" (:eek:) wouldn't be an issue, it really has to be balanced against whether the fix works or not, we know what the other option is and that would be messy;)

I agree with this. It is a practical approach.

A problem might occur if pawlala were to sell the house. A surveyor might ask about the floor, or ask if there have been any warranty claims, or spot the the lower ceiling. This would be followed by requesting the approval details for the repair, basically, an audit trail.

If these details are not available, or are unsatisfactory, or are not inspected and signed off by a qualified person...etc. there will be a problem. Unfortunately, these are some issues with having "repairs" done to a new house.

That is before we start talking about implications with invalidating the NHBC Warranty. Pawlala has not said what involvement NHBC have in order to protect the warranty.

Home owners have a duty to mitigate losses, and not act act against the spirit of the warranty. NHBC adopt a strict buyer beware procedure and are not helpful to those who are a party to problems .

Consequently, the surveyor could recommend to the purchaser "This house represents a risk, do not purchase it".

cyclonebri1

Furts wrote: »

A problem might occur if pawlala were to sell the house. A surveyor might ask about the floor, or ask if there have been any warranty claims, or spot the the lower ceiling. This would be followed by requesting the approval details for the repair, basically, an audit trail.




Consequently, the surveyor could recommend to the purchaser "This house represents a risk, do not purchase it".

You have wildly more optomistic regarding the observational skills to the typical surveyor than I have, ;);)

The rest is down to honesty I guess, and if your question is asked and the op has to say, "yes, most of the floors had to be replaced", he or she is in much the same place, although total replacement sounds much more serious.

pawlala

Furts wrote: »

I apologise if you deem this cynical!

On the contrary, I appreciate everyone's responses as I am not and never will be a DIY person! :A

I found this doing some online research tonight, taken from the Gypsum Products Development Association, just by searching for "plasterboard causing cracking noises".

http://www.gpda.com/pdfs/Statement_Cracking_Noises.doc

10 January 2012
CRACKING NOISES FROM CEILINGS

A small number of householders have complained about a 'cracking' or 'creaking' sound coming from first floor ceilings in their new properties, when individuals walk on the floor above.

The joists are the flooring structural elements and should be designed/adequately braced to prevent excessive movement. If they are not, then other elements within the floor structure including the plasterboard ceiling may creak due to the floor flexing under load.

In our experience the only way to be sure of remediating the problem is to decouple the ceiling boards from the joists using a metal ceiling system such as resilient bars.

With all ceilings, we recommend that plasterboard is screwed rather than nailed into place, to minimise any movement, which could eventually result in nail popping.

Where householders are aware of a problem, they should in the first instance contact the builder of the property.

The GPDA is working with UK Timber Frame Association and NHBC to develop guidance to help avoid the problem in future.

sounds exactly my problem and their solution.

Furts

pawlala wrote: »

On the contrary, I appreciate everyone's responses as I am not and never will be a DIY person! :A

I found this doing some online research tonight, taken from the Gypsum Products Development Association, just by searching for "plasterboard causing cracking noises".

http://www.gpda.com/pdfs/Statement_Cracking_Noises.doc

sounds exactly my problem and their solution.

But there is almost no chance the builders will put resilient bars for the plasterboard fixing.

One, this is unlikely to be your problem.

Two, the fault is probably with the joist not the plasterboard.

Three, the costs and disruption would be considerable - you might end up requesting this for the house.

Four, the manufacturer is giving a PR type response. This problem has existed for decades and this is not mentioned in the statement. Further, if glueing is done to accepted details, and the boards screwed there should not be a need for a resilient detail in an individual house. (Flats are a different matter). That said the manufacturers would like to specify and sell their resilient bars to all houses - they have a business to run with a profit to make!

Again, apologies if you call me cynical!