Creaking floor boards
 

We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 10:33:56 +0100, Terry Pinnell
wrote:

We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?
if nailing isnt required,try dusting with talcum powder..!

"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
...
We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?

Better to use screws than nails if you've already got creaks... (and don't
forget to check for cables /pipes underneath first of course!)
David

Lobster wrote:

"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
...

We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?


Better to use screws than nails if you've already got creaks... (and don't
forget to check for cables /pipes underneath first of course!)

Indeed, the first time I did this I later discovered I'd drilled a pilot
hole 1mm away from a gas pipe.

"Lobster" wrote in message
...
"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
...
We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?

Better to use screws than nails if you've already got creaks... (and don't
forget to check for cables /pipes underneath first of course!)
David


I'd 2nd the suggestion to use screws as they go in and stay in more readily
than nails, so less squeaking in the long run. As for the cables and pipes
its worth marking the position of cables and pipes by pencil if you ever
have any of the floorboards up.

In my first attempt to sort out squeaky floorboards I ended up drilling
through a central heating pipe, sods law dictated that it would happen on my
very last hole that I was drilling (out of about 50). So as a precaution
try to drill close to where nails currently are and never in the middle of
the floorboard, as any bodger that may have been at your house is sure to
have a pipe running down the middle of a floorboard, near the surface of the
joist - that was certainly my experience.


--
Big Al - The Peoples Pal
http://www.berkswelldirect.com/index.html
Gowns for Gorgeous Women

"big al - Peoples Pal" wrote:


"Lobster" wrote in message
...
"Terry Pinnell" wrote in message
...
We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?

Better to use screws than nails if you've already got creaks... (and don't
forget to check for cables /pipes underneath first of course!)
David


I'd 2nd the suggestion to use screws as they go in and stay in more readily
than nails, so less squeaking in the long run. As for the cables and pipes
its worth marking the position of cables and pipes by pencil if you ever
have any of the floorboards up.

In my first attempt to sort out squeaky floorboards I ended up drilling
through a central heating pipe, sods law dictated that it would happen on my
very last hole that I was drilling (out of about 50). So as a precaution
try to drill close to where nails currently are and never in the middle of
the floorboard, as any bodger that may have been at your house is sure to
have a pipe running down the middle of a floorboard, near the surface of the
joist - that was certainly my experience.

Many thanks for all those helpful replies.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

Terry Pinnell wrote in message . ..
We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?

After trying all the suggestions to stop squeaking ...
The squeaks coming from mine were from the tongues and grooves
themselves. The wood was old, dry and warped with a curve across the
board. It was the movement of the tongue in the grooves that was
causing the squeak. I was fairly radical.
I sawed out the tongues completely and covered edges with gaffer tape
to stop the friction. It was remarkably effective, but of course
"ruined" the boards. But they were fairly bad anyway due to lifting
for re-wiring, central heating etc.
Simon.

In article , "Terry
Pinnell" says...
(Simon) wrote:

Terry Pinnell wrote in message . ..
We're just about to have carpets replaced, so I thought I'd take the
opportunity to see if I can stop the few patches of creaking
floorboards upstairs. Maybe it will become obvious that I need to
hammer in a few more nails in places. But assuming not, and if all
*looks* OK, is there some stuff I can spray or paint on that will help
please?

After trying all the suggestions to stop squeaking ...
The squeaks coming from mine were from the tongues and grooves
themselves. The wood was old, dry and warped with a curve across the
board. It was the movement of the tongue in the grooves that was
causing the squeak. I was fairly radical.
I sawed out the tongues completely and covered edges with gaffer tape
to stop the friction. It was remarkably effective, but of course
"ruined" the boards. But they were fairly bad anyway due to lifting
for re-wiring, central heating etc.
Simon.
I suspect mine may turn out to have the same cause. That's why I was
rather hoping there might be some 'lubricant' I could use.


Someone already suggested talc.
Maybe raw linseed oil would do it too, or a liquid wax?

Rob Morley wrote in message et...

I suspect mine may turn out to have the same cause. That's why I was
rather hoping there might be some 'lubricant' I could use.


Someone already suggested talc.
Maybe raw linseed oil would do it too, or a liquid wax?

The trouble is, most lubricants dry out or otherwise dissipate, and
after a while the creaking returns. There would be nothing more
disheartening than to have new carpets fitted, and then all the
creaking kicks off again.
That's reminded me - I still have the job of my horribly creaking
staircase to do one day !

Simon.

In article , "Simon"
says...
Rob Morley wrote in message et...

I suspect mine may turn out to have the same cause. That's why I was
rather hoping there might be some 'lubricant' I could use.


Someone already suggested talc.
Maybe raw linseed oil would do it too, or a liquid wax?

The trouble is, most lubricants dry out or otherwise dissipate, and
after a while the creaking returns. There would be nothing more
disheartening than to have new carpets fitted, and then all the
creaking kicks off again.

If you're going for fitted carpets you could replace the boards with
chipboard, otherwise you'll have easy access to renew the lubricant.