Springy/bouncy floor problem in mid 1920s semi - help

[Gille]

My house was built mid 1920s and we have been in the house 12 months. I will be starting work skimming/decorating the front room downstairs soon but before I start I want to cure a floor problem. The floor in the room is springy, which is more noticeable towards the centre of the room (about 13ft square). The back room in the house seems fine. When we had the CH system replaced I noticed in the back room that there are brick pillars under the floor about 2ft high, presumably supporting the joists. Some of these had been toppled over to make way when the old CH pipework was installed (bad/lazy workmanship). This does not seem to have affected the floor in the back room but could this be the case in the front room, if so what do I do to sort this out, or could there be another problem with the floor.

 

[masona]

Sounds like the sleeper walls need rebedding or the wallplates have woodworm or rot. Need to lift some floorboards up to investigate the problem.

 

[Bylough]

Also you can just 'sound' the boards out with a hard instrument- if they sound hollow in different parts- you may have dryrot of woodworm. Try as well with a blunt screwdriver pressed into the wood. If it goes in easy- same problem!
Best of luck.

 

[Gille]

Thanks for the advice, I hope it's just the sleeper walls and not rot or something just as bad. I will give the boards a sound check as soon as I get the carpet up.

Cheers