squeaky floorboards

Helen Joan · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:35 pm Post Subject: squeaky floorboards

I live in a straight ranch with oak flooring in each room (except kitchen). All areas are carpeted. Squeaking occurs in a straight line starting in the kitchen into the dining room, down the hall and into a bedroom at the end of the hall. This is the heavy traffic area in my house. I cannot handle this job myself and am wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what a fair price would be to complete this repair. I will be putting the house up for sale next spring and want to address these types of problems beforehand. I imagine the squeaking would turn off a potential buyer. Many thanks for your advice.

big-all · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:04 pm Post Subject:

heeeelllooo and welcome Helen Joan

assuming its flooring on joists
and assuming you can get talcum powder in america

rub it into the the gaps inbetween the boards and your squeeks are likly to greatly reduce or dissapear providing its board to board contact causing the problem

the long term solution is to tighten the screws or nails
if its hidden fixings then its a pro job to repair

__________________
big all
we are------------------ all still learning

gcol · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:39 pm Post Subject:

Only in America would someone cover oak with carpet.

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If I'm curt with you it's because time is a factor. The Wolf.

gcol · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:39 pm Post Subject:

Daft forum error - gave me this

then posted a double post.

What do we pay our money for?!

__________________
If I'm curt with you it's because time is a factor. The Wolf.

Deluks · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:14 pm Post Subject:

gcol wrote:

Daft forum error - gave me this then posted a double post.

What do we pay our money for?!

Easy there 'lightning fingers' Collier!! Now I know what gcol means

Helen, is there any 'bounce' in the floor?

Helen Joan · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:38 pm Post Subject:

Hi. Thanks for your reply. No. I do not notice a bounce in the floor.

Symptoms · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:10 am Post Subject:

Helen - which way do the boards run? At right-angles or parallel to the route you walk? Do you have a basement so you can see the underside of the floor and joists? Do the joists/beams span large distances unsupported? My guess is, because your squeak is happening in-line, the problem is being cause by a deflecting joist or beam.

Helen Joan · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:28 pm Post Subject: squeaky floorboards

Good day!

To answer your questions, the floor boards are parallel to the route I walk and are nailed to joists that are 18 inches apart. If it makes a difference, there is a steel beam that runs down the center of the basement supported by two steel poles. The joists rest on this beam across the width of the basement. The boards look (to my untrained eye) pretty secure and tight.

Thanks for your help.