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Well the easiest thing to start with would be to take a screwgun to the underside of the floor and run some screws up into the OSB under the carpeted areas and into the oak on your stairs. Be sure to set the clutch so that the screws do not get driven too far, and obviously you want screw lengths less than the total thickness of the flooring components, at least 1/4″ less in the case of the oak (for future sanding).
Your first screws should be long ones driven up through joists on an angle to help suck down any subflooring that is loose or off the joists to solid framing (the joists or, even better, I joists. If you have I joists, you can screw straight up through the wood on top of each one.
That’s the quick fix, and hopefully will solve some or all of your problems. I would expect good results from the carpeted areas for sure, although if the seams of the OSB were not nailed real well, you could get some squeaks there and you’d have to pull back the carpeting if the screws don’t solve it. If it didn’t help on the stairs, they may have been installed incorrectly or the t&g oak may be rubbing on itself, would need more information on your stair construction to pinpoint it. Are they wedged, glued, were they screwed or nailed or what?
You may be able to devise a wedge system to force your stair treads tighter against the risers.
Good luck,
MD
Replies
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Well the easiest thing to start with would be to take a screwgun to the underside of the floor and run some screws up into the OSB under the carpeted areas and into the oak on your stairs. Be sure to set the clutch so that the screws do not get driven too far, and obviously you want screw lengths less than the total thickness of the flooring components, at least 1/4" less in the case of the oak (for future sanding).
Your first screws should be long ones driven up through joists on an angle to help suck down any subflooring that is loose or off the joists to solid framing (the joists or, even better, I joists. If you have I joists, you can screw straight up through the wood on top of each one.
That's the quick fix, and hopefully will solve some or all of your problems. I would expect good results from the carpeted areas for sure, although if the seams of the OSB were not nailed real well, you could get some squeaks there and you'd have to pull back the carpeting if the screws don't solve it. If it didn't help on the stairs, they may have been installed incorrectly or the t&g oak may be rubbing on itself, would need more information on your stair construction to pinpoint it. Are they wedged, glued, were they screwed or nailed or what?
You may be able to devise a wedge system to force your stair treads tighter against the risers.
Good luck,
MD
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My floor has several squeaks (especially on the stairs). The construction is 3/4" T&G oak over 2x6 T&G doug fir in non-carpeted areas. The carpeted areas are OSB (not sure of the thickness) over 2x6 T & G. I can access the underside of the floor if I move the insulation. Any hints on how to stop the squeaking?