How to locate pipes before fixing loose floorboards

madds · 29-11-2020 08:55PM #1

We have tongue and groove floors upstairs in a 20 y/o house. Some of the bedroom floors are really noisy when they're walked on so I want to fix them.

Before I start fixing the boards to the joists with screws is there any way I can check to see where the pipework is wihtout having to first lift the boards?

Note floors are tongue and groove so I can't slip a blade down between the boards to check for pipes. The pipes are a type of PVC/CPVC I think.

Thanks for helping!

Calahonda52 · 29-11-2020 08:59PM

what makes you think they are there?

LenWoods · 29-11-2020 09:01PM

madds wrote: »

We have tongue and groove floors upstairs in a 20 y/o house. Some of the bedroom floors are really noisy when they're walked on so I want to fix them.

Before I start fixing the boards to the joists with screws is there any way I can check to see where the pipework is wihtout having to first lift the boards?

Note floors are tongue and groove so I can't slip a blade down between the boards to check for pipes. The pipes are a type of PVC/CPVC I think.

Thanks for helping!

Hi,
I recommend using self tapping wood screws and some knee pads, there are also Philips head adapters available for a drill where the outter part "DeWalt" logo doesn't rotate; meaning you can hold it while drilling.

pmgPVZtBj

Foaming around the edge of the floor while you have it stepped out; also helps reduce heat loss.

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Anyway; to answer your question, a wall stud finder which detects studs, pipes and cables will also work on the floor, available from Amazon fairly cheap, I have a Stanley branded unit.

theteal · 29-11-2020 09:04PM

I did this recently on the landing before new carpet went down. It was quite bad and I must have put in about 40 screws. I just went by the existing nail, went to the side a cm or two and popped in a screw. Very happy with the end result.

madds · 29-11-2020 09:15PM

Calahonda52 wrote: »

what makes you think they are there?

Well there's a rad in each bedroom which is being fed by a pipe, so they're there somewhere. I'd rather take a cautious approach as against putting a screw through a pipe!

Thanks for the replies lads on a Sunday evening.

madds · 29-11-2020 09:18PM

theteal wrote: »

I did this recently on the landing before new carpet went down. It was quite bad and I must have put in about 40 screws. I just went by the existing nail, went to the side a cm or two and popped in a screw. Very happy with the end result.

Yes, that's the approach I was going to take also. Use a countersink bit first so the screw head sits just below the surface of the board.

looksee · 30-11-2020 10:55AM

Put the heating on, then feel the floor. (well it will find some of them!)

listermint · 30-11-2020 11:10AM

looksee wrote: »

Put the heating on, then feel the floor. (well it will find some of them!)

better of stripping down and lying face down on the floor.

More coverage

LenWoods · 30-11-2020 11:11AM

looksee wrote: »

Put the heating on, then feel the floor. (well it will find some of them!)

Can imagine him rolling around the floor like he's tripping on acid and the wife walks in 😂😲😲😲

How to locate pipes before fixing loose floorboards

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