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Our bedroom floorboards creak badly so before we put new carpet down I'd like to fix the issue. The existing floor is chipboard so my thought it to strip this out and replace it with the same depth (18mm) plywood. Is this a good option and any tips? Tongue and groove or flat edge?
Thanks
Interested in replies. I will be taking up carpet on my landing which has a dodgy floor so looking to take the opportunity to replace/repair at the same time
Seems like overkill.
An hour of your time, box of wood screws and a cordless driver will most likely sort it.
Tried this and it didn't really make a difference.
I'd start with trying a fix too, but if that didn't work then OSB will be cheaper than ply. T&G is better once down but probably overkill and it makes lifting it a pain if you need to get to electrics and plumbing later. As it is me that does any repairs I like to make that as easy as possible.
Use more screws.
An hour of your time, box of wood screws and a cordless driver will most likely sort it.
Tried this and it didn’t really make a difference.
I did this once. Managed to punch through into a hot water pipe, which I then had to ask my pregnant wife to try and staunch whilst I figured out how to shut it off. On a Sunday. Which meant mucho dinero to emergency plumber too.
The squeaks are most likely caused by a nail moving a tiny amount in the joist, but could also be an unglued joint rubbing. Most of the time a screw alongside the nail will sort this, but if there’s a bit of “spring” in the floor, it can persist. It’s also risky enough screwing blind into the joist. Whoever nailed the floor previously might have nailed, knowingly, right alongside a cable/pipe but now your decision to go 10mm to the left or right of the nail is a red wire/blue wire decision.
If you’re up for replacing it all, then chipboard will be fine. Pilot hole where you’re going to screw and use decent quality screws, eg Reisser, Spax or the higher end Screwfix own brand. The Toolstation Torx screws are nice to use too.
Ply will be very expensive and you’ll most likely have to cut it to fit. It’s also very hefty to be trying to get upstairs. If you’re going to get t&g, then go for shutter ply. T&g normal ply is £££. Use a bead of PU adhesive along the tongue for either chipboard or ply. A hammer and a batten of wood is handy for knocking the joints tight. Have a sharpie handy to mark out cable/pipe runs for future reference.
+1 on 18mm 8x4 ply being heavy, struggled to move 1 on my own this week
Tongue and groove chipboard is intended for floors, other sheet materials generally are not. Squeaking in floors is usually caused by the board moving up and down slightly and rubbing on the shank (ooer) of the nail or screw. So more screws, and glue if possible.
I am not a joiner but my 9" joists all got strut braced and there is not a peep or a squeak to be heard,
Look at early rally cars MK1 Escorts eg under the bonnet and see their strut brace
Squeaks and creaks can be caused by any number of things, including loose noggins between joists as often as not, they can be a nightmare to fix.
Anyhow, if screws next to the nails haven't sorted it, and if you do take it up, check for loose noggins before laying anything, fix with screws rather than nails and replace with 22mm t+g chipboard flooring along with lots of D4 glue.
Plenty of guides online. Oh, and wear gloves! because when you get the glue on your hands, and you will, it's a swine to get off! 🤣