Squeaky sub floor

[v6turboman]

Several years ago I commenced to building my own house, and never quite
finished it. That said, now I need to lay some hardwood flooring down
over the plywood sub floor. My sub floor was fastened onto the joist with
regular 8 penny nails and construction glue. The floor is very squeaky at
times. My question is would it be a good fix to throw some drywall screws
down next the existing nails, or some ring shanks with me nail gun, the gun of course being the easiest

 

[ree]

A number of questions if you dont mind:

Was the floor left exposed to the elements for any length of time?

When did the heating first come on?

Is your sub-floor 3/4" T&G ply?

Did all ply joins land on joists or blocking? What kind of joists?

Are you certain that the joists are firmly fixed - is there any bounce or sway in the floor?

Your local Building Code will specify the correct screws - use screws and be alert for nail pops - drive all nail heads down. Dont use drywall screws.

You must fix all squeaks etc. before laying the hardwood finished floor or you will compound the problem.

 

[v6turboman]

Thanks for getting back with me. The answers to the question are as follows.

It is unweathered 3/4" T&G, it might of mean exposed once during construction but for the most part stayed dry. House build in summer
and heating season begin in early October.
2 x 10 Joist here used.
No bounce in floor.
The Ply did land on the joist centers.

Just curious, why not drywall screws. or ring shanks

 

[ree]

Drywall screws have the wrong thread, are too fragile, and could snap.

Ring shanks are, typically, good for underlayment but not subfloors - you've already run into difficulties with nails, dont compound the difficulties.

Presumably, 2" x 10" solid joists?

If you do what's been suggested then it should solve the problem.

However when you say its "squeaky at times" then it could be a heating or swelling/shrinking possibility?

See what happens and come back here if you need more advice.

 

[v6turboman]

It is just a tiny bit squeaker during the dry winter mouths. I will take your
advise and get some good fasteners. Thanks again for your input.

 

[pinenot]

I've used talcum powder in the joints before to good effect, it dry lubricates them and as you're probably aware talcum powder works it's way into everything...pinenot