Creaky floor

oligopoly

It doesn't seem to bother other people as much as me but I hate a creaky floor-board. I will go out of my way to tread around it each time.

We bought a house last September and an area on the upstairs landing creaks more now (in a larger area) than it did back when we bought it. The house was built in 2002. The loft has been converted to a bedroom but this was done some years ago so I don't think that could be related...

So can anyone think of a reason as to why the creaky area has increased - doubled or even tripled - in just a few months? Obviously we've been walking up and down and put furniture down, but it can't be anything more significant than the previous owners. I'm worried that the creaking could get worse and worse or could be indicative of another issue.

Confused...

Ebe_Scrooge

Creaking floorboards are usually caused by the nails working loose. As the board flexes, it will gradually loosen the nails further along it.


All it needs is screwing back into place. Screw through the board into the joist below. Just take care not to screw into a power cable or a water pipe. If you follow where the existing nails are you should be OK.

oligopoly

But the creakiness has increased since September. How is this possible?

Ebe_Scrooge

oligopoly wrote: »

But the creakiness has increased since September. How is this possible?

As I said, my best guess is that the flexing has caused more nails to work loose over time. It's nothing to worry about, just get it screwed back into place.

gardner1

Screw the floorboards down

oligopoly

gardner1 wrote: »

Screw the floorboards down

Through carpet?

gardner1

oligopoly wrote: »

Through carpet?

If you think you screw the floorboards down through the carpet STOP right now and get somebody else to do it

oligopoly

gardner1 wrote: »

If you think you screw the floorboards down through the carpet STOP right now and get somebody else to do it

That's my point. You make it sound like a simple fix but it's not (maybe i should have put an exclamation mark on the end of my previous post!)

I will probably live with it if it's just a creak. My whole post is not about why the floor creaks but why it's increased in a matter of months. Seems strange to me.

gardner1

oligopoly wrote: »

That's my point. You make it sound like a simple fix but it's not (maybe i should have put an exclamation mark on the end of my previous post!)

I will probably live with it if it's just a creak. My whole post is not about why the floor creaks but why it's increased in a matter of months. Seems strange to me.

It is a simple fix lift up carpet and screw down floorboards........And as already mentioned floorboards which are loose will get worse if they are on the landing which is walked on constantly..........Only answer is screw floorboards down

Ebe_Scrooge

oligopoly wrote: »

You make it sound like a simple fix but it's not.

It is not a difficult fix, and well within the scope of a novice DIY-er. The only fiddly bit is the need to lift the carpet, but even that's not difficult.


If you want a really easy way around it, live with it for now, and deal with it when you next come to replace the carpets. Must admit that's what I've done before - any time I've replaced a carpet, I've taken the opportunity to go over the whole area, checking for and fixing squeaks.


If you really don't want to live with it, and don't feel confident in tackling it your self, then if you have a local "general handyman" type person in your area, give them a call. Alternatively, ask at your local carpet shop for the number of a fitter they use ( the majority of shops use self-employed fitters ). Give the guy a ring, ask him how much he'd charge to do the job for you. I bet he won't charge much, it's bread-and-butter for him to lift a bit of carpet, put in some screws, and replace the carpet.

oligopoly

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

It is not a difficult fix, and well within the scope of a novice DIY-er. The only fiddly bit is the need to lift the carpet, but even that's not difficult.


If you want a really easy way around it, live with it for now, and deal with it when you next come to replace the carpets. Must admit that's what I've done before - any time I've replaced a carpet, I've taken the opportunity to go over the whole area, checking for and fixing squeaks.


If you really don't want to live with it, and don't feel confident in tackling it your self, then if you have a local "general handyman" type person in your area, give them a call. Alternatively, ask at your local carpet shop for the number of a fitter they use ( the majority of shops use self-employed fitters ). Give the guy a ring, ask him how much he'd charge to do the job for you. I bet he won't charge much, it's bread-and-butter for him to lift a bit of carpet, put in some screws, and replace the carpet.

Good suggestions. They're old carpets but it would cost a lot to replace, so maybe I'll give it a go myself and then panic and call in someone local! Is there a danger I could stretch and damage the carpet myself though?!