creaking floorboards - any solutions?

[dippica]

We've been in our house for 9 years, and the floorboards have always creaked a bit but they seem to be getting much worse (rowdy children could be the cause?!).

What can be done about them? Anything??

TIA for any suggestions.

Carpets.

If they are under carpets, are they actually floorboards, or are they chipboard? if so the only thing is to screw them down into joists - not nail them. bv would have to take up the carpets which is a PITA.

If just nice floorboards, erm, probably try screws too, make sure they are countersunk so no-one catches on them?

more nails

Its carpeted so probably just chipboard. Will explore beneath the carpets ...
Any more?

don't tread on them

or

move

if it is a relatively new house - 20 years or so - then most prob chipboard floors. Is the creaking upstairs? very common and I know very irritating, sounds like a herd of elephants bouncing on the bed. Sometimes the boards work loose, so making new screw holes and screwing down sometimes works. If creaking downstairs - more unusual.

I'm sure I once read that talc sprinkled between the floorboards stops them creaking.I can't for the life of me work out why though.

I'm sure I once read that talc sprinkled between the floorboards stops them creaking.I can't for the life of me work out why though.

Talc does work (and screwing them down).

Intrigued by the talc.

Moving seems rather extreme - will try the new screw - option.

Thanks all.

When you do the screws, be careful not to damage pipes if there are any underneath. The best way is to put screws next to where olds are.
I am also intrigued by talc. Will try it for my floorboards.