Fitting floorboards to joists

[MK22]

Hi all, having new carpets so I’m wanting to fix the floorboards which previous trades had lifted and not secured down. Just checking how careful I have to be with putting a screw through the floorboard and into the joist. Screws are 5mmx40mm, about 20mm of which will go into the joist.
I can’t get all of the screws into the centre of the joist, so will be close to the side. Any issues with this?

 

[Wayners]

Identify where the pipes are before you screw..
I done that once and still hit a pipe!.
There were 3 radiators pipes when I thought there should only be 2 and stopped looking when I found the 2.

 

[MK22]

Ha thanks! Yes done that, identified all services. Just wanted to be sure of not damaging joist integrity

 

[Wayners]

Drill a small pilot hole and countersink floorboard for screw head..
Just nip screws up so they don't crush in...
Will be a tidy job

 

[blup]

Pilot and Countersink the holes and use quality wood screws like Spax, or use nails

 

[stevie888]

Lose the 5s and get some 3.5s they'll drive straight in without splitting.

Wayner's comment struck 2 chords with me: I rashly nailed a loose board in the bathroom: I knew there were pipes under but kept tight to the board edge. The problem was that the original plumber had not kept parrael to the boards and right where my nail touched the pipe there was a tee holding the wretched thing rigid so the nail went in at about 2o'clock and out at 4. Fortunately I went into the garage below an hour or so later to see the drip. That lump of pipe, complete with nail hangs in my study t o this day to remind me I'm not as clever as I think I am.

In my school days I worked for an agricultural contractos and was sent to mow a grass area of about 7 acres. "There is an electic outlet on a post in there but it has fallen over so keep your eyes open" Round and round I go, clock the post and breathe a sighof relief. With about 3 runs left the groundsman appears and asks if I've found the TWO electric posts!! Fortunately the second was right in the middle and I hadn't got to it.