Squeeking / creaking floorboards (again)

[EzioSuffolk]

Hi,

I've read many of the previous threads on this topic, but what can be done in my specific case?...

The boards in my new extension upstairs bedrooms are (3 months after project completion and full payment) squeeking like crazy pretty much all over. (I paid extra for 'sound-reducing' insulation to be installed here, and so having an in-built noise source is highly irritating. I've taken up (rolled up) the recently laid carpet to examine things.
As I already knew, they are T&G 18mm 240cm x 60cm chipboard boards, very tightly screwed down with a lot of long (6cm) screws.

When I walk along one of the boards, the creaks appear to sometimes come from that board itself, but at other times can easily come seemingly from neighbouring boards, so the stresses causing the creaks are (sometimes) being transmitted across the T&G (I think).


I've removed all the screws from one of the boards.
I doesn't seem to have changed things at all. Walking on that board still causes random squeeks all over.

I've noticed that the screws have 'full length' threads, and the boards themselves have only been drilled with a smallish hole (ie., they are not clearance holes).
But I don't think the squeeks are coming from the screws - I think it's from the T&G fittings themselves between the boards.


I've seen lots of people mention talc powder as a lubricant, but presumably this needs to be applied during construction, rather than retrospectively? All the joints seem way too tight to allow even talc to penetrate. And WD40 would presumably just be absorbed by the chipboard, rather than penetrating down to the T&G itself.

I've a multi-tool and I guess I could try cutting off the tongues, but that sounds risky and is a great deal of work.


- solutions for me to try?

- are there specialist tradesmen who would be prepared to look at this? How would I find one? (I mean, an experienced specialist, rather than a general carpenter / floorer) Would it be worthwhile?

Is ripping it all up and installing 'proper' planks really what I'm going to be told?




I'm under considerable pressure to get this sorted so we can finally move into the new, 'dream' bedroom. (!)

 

[ree]

OP,
Stop with the "ripping up" business. If done properly, & depending on how it was fixed, most any wood floor or sheeting can be lifted with very little damage to the boards.

There are a few basics that go into laying any kind of suspended floor eg. a pre-laying survey for well fixed joists & joist centres - expansion gaps at every abutment - noggins - perhaps, Mfr's recom for screws and glue. There are others.

A local joiner would have no trouble sorting it out or you could ask a Hardwood Flooring fitter to have a look?
Dont use talc or WD40 - find the cause.
Is the floor level both ways?

 

[EzioSuffolk]

Yes, floor is very level, and the sub-floor joists all looked very good and 'flat' before the boards were fixed.
I'm not at all sure where the 'expansion gaps' should be? Between the ends of the T&G boards, or ???

I really hope you're right and that 'a local joiner will have no problem'! Cheers.

 

[ree]

OP,
"expansion gaps at every abutment" - ie. wherever any part of the boards comes against any kind of obstacle eg. walls - pipes - certain fixtures etc. then, typically, a 10mm to 15mm expansion gap must be left.

 

[EzioSuffolk]

Oh okay, yes, I get it thanks.

 

[EzioSuffolk]

So, I've now undone all the screws across almost the whole T&G flooring.

And almost all the creaking has now gone?!! Does that give a big clue as to what the problem is?

There were a lot of 6mm screws, and they were very tight (needed an electric drill, rather than normal Bosch battery drill to undo them).
The gaps between the T&G panels varies between a saw's width (I'm trying to clean them out) and an *extremely close, pressured (I guess) fit.

I was planning to clean out the gaps as best I could, and then put diluted PVA glue in them to set (as I've seen in some seemingly-reputable YouTube videos).
But I'm now wondering if the creaks are caused by some of the panels being too tight together (somehow, they've been put under pressure to get them that tight).
Is it worth me cutting a clearance gap (using tenon saw or multi-tool) in all the places I feel are too tight?

Something else I could easily now do is drill clearance-sized holes in the panels for the screws.


Alternatively, I could just not screw anything down (contrary to all standard advice) as it seems fine as it now is?! [But carpet is being fitted back over]

Further advice please?

 

[Nige F]

Hi,

I

I've noticed that the screws have 'full length' threads, and the boards themselves have only been drilled with a smallish hole (ie., they are not clearance holes).
But I don't think the squeeks are coming from the screws - I think it's from the T&G fittings themselves between the boards.


I

Those full length screws are not great because they cannot pull the flooring ( in your case) down tight . It's the screw that's tight. You need an "old fashioned " screw with a plain shank - those can be used to greater effect . Try it out on 2 pieces of scrap timber clearance holes not needed