Why is the floor creaking in my brand new house?

Question

I moved into a brand new single story ranch w/ basement last November, and in one bedroom the floor makes this annoying popping noise when you step in certain spots, and you can feel something as it pops. The floor is fully supported (I know this b/c I built it) with "Silent Floor" I-beam joists, but the sound seems to come from the subfloor itself and from where the floor meets two of the interior walls. There is a supporing wall almost directly underneath the wall where the noise is the greatest, so I can't understand what could be moving to make this noise. Any comments from experience would be great!

Answer 1

Your floor is " creaking " because the sub-floor decking, which is 11/4" sheet decking ( 4x8 sheets), is not nailed up tight to the I beam floor joists. What has happened is that the nails holding the sheet in place has pulled up just slightly and that is the " pop " you here as you walk accross the floor in certain areas. You can fix this. If you have carpeting all you need to do is pull the carpet and mark all of the areas creaking, then using a 16d nail or screw (3'') you can re-secure the sub-floor to the joist. You will have to nail thru the underlayment as well but it is ok. Most homes have the joist, sub-floor decking and then a thinner sheet product, usually particle board for most builders, that is either 1/2" or 5/8" thick, so you will be nailing or screwing thru a lot of material. If you are not up to the task either deal with it or hire a competent contractor( get references ). If the house is still pretty new contact the original builder and they might come back out to make the repairs for free as a newer house should not be making these noises, unless they forgot to use the necessary sub-floor adhesive to help stop these kinds of problems. That should help, by the way the so called silent floor has never really been so "silent", mainly because builders dont take the time to build homes properly or follow the manufacturers suggestions, it sounds like you may have a builder that did not follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Answer 2

The squeaking most likely comes from the plywood riding up and down on a nail that is not securely fastened down. The glue apparently isn't holding either. The correct fix for this would be to pull up the floor and screw down the subfloor in the area. However, another way to fix it would be to install thin shims from underneath between the subfloor and the plywood. Then glue this seam on both sides of the joist. Should stop the squeak. Good luck!

Answer 3

My carpeted floor also pops and creaks when walking on it, in the loft, the master bathroom and the lower steps. My home is now two years old and this has been a problem since I moved it. The builder, KB, acts like they don't know what I'm taking about. The have sent out people to repair it twice, but so far have managed only to repair the loft area. I've told them already that I will not settle for this. As my previous KB home of 7 years never had such a problem. I've never been home to see for myself what is underneath my carpet, so not sure what it is they are looking at, but it is not getting resolved. Can you tell me what is the problem so that I can tell them.

Answer 4

My comment is simply that all houses creak and make noises. They settle. Just because the house was perfect when you built it doesn't mean that it isn't going to settle a little and throw things off. If it really bothers you, have a carpenter come out and pull up the boards and fix it, but, it will happen again. I've lived in new and old houses, they all make noises though....good luck

Answer 5

The foundation is settling, that is normal

Answer 6

old plywood

Answer 7

use screws