Very creaky floors plus not level

itsanne

This is a hypothetical question for now. I'm house hunting and have found a house I would like once it was sorted out. The major concern is that the wooden floors are very creaky - every step taken creaks. They're also not level. I'm in Scotland and the Home Report mentions that the floors aren't level but gives no indication of subsidence (or any other cause). 

Big "if" - if the house stays on the market, I'm tempted to make an offer that takes account of what needs done. In the meantime, I'd appreciate any thoughts about the floor problem, whether possible causes, how easily remedied etc.

Thanks in anticipation.

ETA The house is less than 20 years old.

macman

Assuming this is an old property, it's very common. Only a survey can determine if the joists are unstable, or if it's simply wear and tear and can be remedied by refixing or overboarding etc.

itsanne

macman said:

Assuming this is an old property, it's very common. Only a survey can determine if the joists are unstable, or if it's simply wear and tear and can be remedied by refixing or overboarding etc.

Sorry, should have said (and will edit to include), the house is less than 20 years old.

FreeBear

Have you taken a spirit level to the floors to check ?

Squeaky floors in a new build could be chipboard that has been screwed down without pilot holes being drilled first for the screws - What happens in this case, is you get a small lump of chipboard trapped between the joist & board and creates a gap. Put any weight on the board, it flexes, and squeaks as it rubs against an adjacent board.

Lift the boards, clean off any chips, and put them back down. Some would recommend putting glue on top of the joists and between the joints, but this makes it nigh on impossible to lift the boards again should you ever need to (for example, rewire, fix a leaking pipe, etc).

itsanne

FreeBear said:

Have you taken a spirit level to the floors to check ?

Squeaky floors in a new build could be chipboard that has been screwed down without pilot holes being drilled first for the screws - What happens in this case, is you get a small lump of chipboard trapped between the joist & board and creates a gap. Put any weight on the board, it flexes, and squeaks as it rubs against an adjacent board.

Lift the boards, clean off any chips, and put them back down. Some would recommend putting glue on top of the joists and between the joints, but this makes it nigh on impossible to lift the boards again should you ever need to (for example, rewire, fix a leaking pipe, etc).

Thanks. We placed a ball on the floor in several places. It didn't stay in one place.