Creaking floorboards

[nell15]

We've got creaking floorboards in the house we've moved into recently. It upstairs and on the stairs. What can we do to make them less creaky?

If there are loose boards, you could try screwing them down. Otherwise, cleaning between old boards often helps (literally sticking a piece of metal like a screw driver between them and scraping the dirt out).

it's not chipboard, is it?

No but I'll check

Screw them down and sprinkle talc inbetween the boards. It works a treat.

Yes, screw them down but, only at the edges where the nail holes are.
Pipes and cables may be running down the middle so be very careful.
As for the stairs, you can re-enforce them with home made wooden wedges underneath.

There's an old saying:

The (wo)man who has never put a nail through a pipe is the (wo)man who has never nailed down a floorboard.

For maximum safety, take up at least some, and paint the outline of the hidden pipes on the floorboards.

Also cables of course, which in any case should pass through drilled holes in the centre of the joist, never in notches.

I think the main problem with that is the floorboard that's missing a nail is missing it because of the pipe underneath! And that's the one people usually want to pop back in.

Sorry to hijack but mine are squeaky chipboard, pigletjohn. What do I do?

Knitted frog. It's a lot easier with an empty room.
Find out where any pipes are and where the joists run and screw them back down.

Thanks number9, doesn't sound too bad if all they need is screwing down.

I need to do this- but I have carpet grippers on. How do I get the grippers up?

We have all chipboard floors. There is no sneaking around in this house

Chipboard is ideal for use on a bonfire.

Not so suitable for flooring, especially in rooms that contain water or anything heavy.

mselastic. If they are nailed down, use a flat screwdriver or wood chisel and a claw hammer.
Tap the chisel between the grip and the floor, close to the nail and ease the grip up. Do this the full length and don't just pull it straight up. Hopefully you will get it off in one piece.
Be careful though. Keep your hands well away from the carpet grip. A thick pair of gardening gloves might reduce injuries.