Options for fixing creaky/squeaky floorboards

youcancallmeal

Moved into a new build about 5 years ago, the floorboards in a couple of the bedrooms and landing upstairs were very squeaky from the outset. I'm pretty sure they are just OSB boards with carpet on top, I peeled back a bit of carpet and had a look. Anyway at the time I asked the builder to fix them and he said the problem was the floorboards were nailed and not screwed down so he fixed it by screwing them down. The problem eventually came back after a few months and we've just been living with it since. I'm looking to get it fixed now and wondering what's the best option? From my research I found these

1. I seen there is kits like this for screwing down but not sure if yet more screwing is going to help if the problem is with joists themselves.

2. A retired carpenter suggested putting down another half inch osb boards on top of the existing ones. Obviously I'm no expert but it doesn't seem like a promising solution.

3. Installing braces like in this video seems like a good solution. I'd happily pay someone to do it but where to find that someone is the problem. I'd guess most carpenters probably want nothing to do with fixing squeaky floorboards as they'd be afraid of being hounded when the squeaks come back

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215096/options-for-fixing-creaky-squeaky-floorboards

its a common issue unfortunately,

The kit in option 1 would be a waste of time i think.

The work the chap did in 3 was amazing but its a lot of work, days id say depending on the size of the area.

I also had someone recommend a half inch board on top screwed (not nailed) down, the idea is that this will solidify the osb underneath and restrict movement, its not the worst idea. I know in our case the one room we dont have squeaks in the upper floors is where we had a solid wood floor put down, now its a lot thicker and heavier than half inch osb but same idea and it does work.

If i had my time back i would have avoided carpet and put wood floors with acoustic underlay on the upper floors.

Yellow_Fern

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YytVYdjNZPc&lc=UgzOZu2BgvmFgeBt_tt4AaABAg.9TyyrLoLEFT9U-AKDTAw9q

this video might give some tips applicable