Squeaky hardwood and a couple soft spots, any tips?

10/19/2007 at 3:06:01 PM

Hi Shad,

We had squeaky floors as well so as we went through each room up-grading the flooring we would screw hundreds of screws into the sub before putting in our hardwood. No more squeaks. For some reason (probably $$) many houses have their sub floors put in with nails. We bought a new house in a development 20 years ago and with that house we went in after the sub was laid and put in our own screws....the builder had used nails. As far as your soft spots are concerned you should probably investigate if further to see what the cause is. My husband would probably rip up anything that was soft and replace it with new.

Congratulations on your new home. :)

Cheers

Mary Dancey

Mary Dancey Interiors

Certified Member of CDECA

10/28/2007 at 4:31:15 PM

Could be a big job, I would rip it out and start over, defenetelu find out why there are soft spots and possibly beef up the framing for the floor, If accesable go from the bacement and screw up into the hardood every 10" this will make a big differance you may need to cross braces between joists to help with the soft spots. (if it is sinking)

1/16/2008 at 11:50:13 PM

There several causes that could give you the issues you are experiencing Shad. However, without a on site exam, it would be difficult to determine the best course.

It could be something as simple as talc, or marrying your floor joints in the affected area, (depending on access to the underside) or hand nailed ring nails with care to fill and finish.

My advice, have a local contractor attend and give you a visual once over.

1/25/2008 at 2:40:34 PM

Unfortunate, definately the subfloor requires work, this will not fix the squeeking however.

The hardwood itself will continue to squeek as the nails/staples have worked themselves loose. So don't waste time screwing from underneath.

You might consider installing a load bearing engineered support (TrustJoist) or wall.

Good Luck.

4/20/2008 at 5:24:06 AM

The soft spots sound serious, Shad. You should apply for an on-site examination. This would give you an insight about why your floor is soft and why it is squeaking. I recommend that you get these problems seen to as soon as possible.

Good luck,

John White.

4/21/2008 at 12:59:45 PM

squeaky hardwood? sounds like some space between the layer those floors and land. like others, i suggest you try check and do the maintenance or fixing.