Warner Robins Home Inspector Offers Some Advice Concerning Squeaky Floors. Maybe the wet spring weather has swelled building materials or some people's hearing is more acute, but the complaints of squeaky flooring is on the rise. Here is a little advice concerning what causes squeaky floors and what is the best way to make it stop.
Squeaky floors are caused primarily from three conditions. The first and most predominant is the sub floor (plywood/OSB) is not fully secured to the supporting floor joists. The plywood has slightly separated from the joist and when the area is stepped on, we hear the plywood riding along the nail(s) that were used to secure the plywood to the joist. A way to correct this condition is to secure the sub floor to the joist with 1 3/4" drywall screws every 4" along the area that squeaks. Unfortunately this method requires pulling up whatever floor covering is over the squeaky area.
The second cause of squeaky floors is duct work that is attached to the underside of the flooring. When stepped on, the duct work acts like an oil can. This can be remedied by adjusting the duct work.
The third cause is diagonal bridging between floor joists that was improperly installed. These form an X between the joists, and if they were installed so they touch, this can cause floor squeaks. The bridging is supposed to be installed with 1/2" spacing.
With all the wet weather the spring brings, we may see and hear more problems with our homes. Water is the #1 enemy of your home (not including Natural Disasters) and there are ways to keep as much out as possible. If you own a home with a crawlspace and do not have a gutter system, please, save yourself unnecessary future grief and install a good aluminum seamless gutter system with downspout extensions that move as much water away from your foundation walls as possible. Roof, exterior wall cladding and trim repairs will also keep out unwanted water.
Keep your home dry and have a great Spring!
Howard Tennyson
Ace Home Inspection, LLC
Office (478) 954-9791
Fax (888) 273-9868
acehomeinspectionllc@gmail.com
http://acehomeinspection.biz
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