Creaky/ Creaking Floorboards and Stairs

mazibee

Hi All,

Just in the process of refurbishing our newly bought house.

We are about to put the new carpet upstairs , but the floor boards in the upstairs three bedroom , landing are bathroom are squeaking badly.

I called few carpenters and they are giving different suggestions.

One of them is saying to take the old ones out (width of the old one sis 130mm and put the MDF moisture resistant sheets

MDF SHEET

Other one is saying don't go the MDF or Chipboard, either screw the floor or replace them with the same/similar new floor boards, even if you do , chances are that the squeak will still remain or chances are there that floor will start squeaking again.

I am in a perplex as the what to do, as at the moment house is empty and its easier as compared to when we have moved in .

Also whats the best material to use for the floor boards.

I will be extremely thankful for the suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

Grenage

My preference would be the latter of the two suggestions; secure any squeaking floorboards with screws, replacing any ruined boards (of which there may be none).


If floorboards are tightly packed, they will probably squeak; if they are nailed and are a little loose, they will squeak.

mazibee

Grenage wrote: »

My preference would be the latter of the two suggestions; secure any squeaking floorboards with screws, replacing any ruined boards (of which there may be none).


If floorboards are tightly packed, they will probably squeak; if they are nailed and are a little loose, they will squeak.

Are there any chances that while securing loose nails or screwing the new nails one can accidentally damage any pipework, gas water or electricity and how to avoid them.

Grenage

Yes indeed, which you know where the joists are (existing nails), you can never know if the joists have been notched and there's a cable underneath. My preference would be to remove the old nails and check under the board before screwing down, but sometimes they can be a pain to lift.


You'll probably be ok if you remove nails and screw into the same location, but then you've removed the nails and you might as well check underneath.


You can often make an educated guess based on radiator/socket locations. There are cable/pipe detectors, but I've never been willing to trust one.

mazibee

Any idea how much worth is this job to fit the screws instead of the nails its appox 35 sqm area for the the three bedrooms , landing and the bath?

Grenage

Unfortunately I couldn't guess, but others may have an idea. If you can narrow the squeaks down to certain boards then you will dramatically reduce the work.

mazibee

Any suggestions on how can I narrow down the squeaks to certain boards, instead of fixing all the floor.


Is there technique or method to use?

Grenage

With the carpet up, I'd simple walk around and mark the ones that squeaked as I came across them.

markin

Any idea how long talcum powder works for? Anyone tried it?

couriervanman

markin wrote: »

Any idea how long talcum powder works for? Anyone tried it?

Used talcum powder between tight boards and screwed every board down in house when we redecorated entire house 2 years ago

mazibee

Please can someone suggest me how to use the talcum powder to reduce the creaking?


Has anyone tried and this method works?


Also which talcum powder I need for this purpose?

Thanks in advance