I just moved into a new home (new construction) and have issues with the subflooring. I am wondering if it is normal to have creeking sounds when walking around. It’s always in very specific spots and I’ve identified at least eight places it’s doing this under both the carpet, on the stairs and under the hard wood floors (most dissapointing!). I tried to have them fix the places I knew about before closing but new places keep being discovered.
What can I do? If I insist on them fixing the knocking under the wood floors what are their options? I don’t want holes in the floor and there’s no access to the floors from below unless they tear up the drywall in the garage below.
Am I being unreasonable? Should I expect to have some places make noise?
-Dan
Replies
Contact your homebuilder, before you attempt making repairs. It is his responsibility to make these repairs, and by doing it yourself, you may void the warranty.
Good luck
Blue left out the bridging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Inside joke Gliche...............I'm outta here!!!!!
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
Ah man..... you had to go and do that, didn't ya?
Meddlesome kids!
What are you doin here????????
Finally recovered from SOX fever???
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
I've been peepin' in on you guys..... just been super busy lately and lovin' it. Keeps me out of trouble and all.
Yeah that was quite a run the Sox had.....was just a real good feeling up this way. Shoot, my wife even thinks she's a Sox fan now. At least I didn't have to watch the games "upstairs" like I did all summer though! My Pats are getting pretty beat up lately.... injuries are killing us (along with penalities and turnovers!). And my 1/4 season Celtics season tickets showed up today..... gonna be a good winter.
But don't gettin' Blue all stirred up or he'll throw a speed square at ya!
No, you're not being unreasonable. They will probably have to tear up the ceilng sheetrock, cuz the other way is to tear up the finished floor. Be persistent, just keep telling them it's not acceptable. Go higher up the chain of command aty the builder, or contact a local tv station and complain.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Probably caused by not enough glue while installing the subfloor. In carpeted areas, it shouldn't be too bad to fix, even if they have to peel back the carpet. Hardwood areas is another matter entirely, and they may have to tear out the ceiling below.
Let me first say that your squeaking floor is your contractor's problem, not yours. But in the real world, that's a heck of a lot easier to say than do, right?
But if it's only a few areas, and you don't want the hassle of chasing him down and waiting until he gets around to fixing it, you might want to try this....
http://www.squeaknomore.com for $30 it just may do the trick and save you alot of hassles. I'd definately give it a shot in my own home before it came to the point of ripping down ceilings or lawsuits. I just happened upon their ad in this months Journal of Light Construction (pg 108) and thought of this thread.
It's all part of the character of a home that people cherish. You wanted character, didn't you?
The builder should make reasonable attempts to fix it, but if it were my home and he made a fair attempt at it, I'd be happy if he got most of them.
Anyway, the Squeeknomore works well. Dad and I used it on his townhome. It only works on carpeted floors. It works through the carpet so the carpet doesn't need to be torn up. It's easier to use with two people, with a heavy one standing on the spot while the other person installs the device.
They also make a kit for hardwood floors.
W5,
So you used the product. It worked well for you. I have not had a reason to try them yet but it sure looks like it beats the heck out of pounding casing nails through the carpet and pad! (Which is what I have always done) But just as one has to be pretty good with a hammer to do so...(a bent nail just before home is a real bummer!) I wondered what would happen when the stinking screw head snaps off just before you have got it all the way home! That could be even worse to deal with.
All in all, it looks like a killer product...wish I would have invented it!
Dez
I didn't have that problem. But I'll bet you could whack it with a cold chisel and a small sledge and break it off flush with the carpet backing.
W5,
For sure, it will be what I try out the next time I deal with squeeks. Got give it a shot.
I'd give anything to be there when ya pull out the ol' cold chisel with the HO looking over your shoulder! ; )
Dez
Edited 11/4/2004 11:20 pm ET by Dez