The hard wood floor has some pops - they occur on/along with the seams of 4 x8 OB subfloor. Any solutions?

Question

We have a house built in 2004. The hard wood floor has some pops - they occur on/along with the seams of 4 x8 OB subfloor. The seams seem to be move up and down slightly when one steps on these pop spots. Reasons? Any solutions?

Answer 1

You didnt mention if this is a mobile or modular home, or, whether the home is on a crawlspace or basement. If it is any of these, then there is a simple fix. The most likely cause, is that the sub-floor itself has come loose from the floor joists. This isnt a safety hazard in itself, it just means they will tend to raise up, when there is no weight on them. They will probably squeak too, as they move up and down on the nails, or staples.

I always recommend using plywood as a sub-floor, and screw it down... don't settle for nails or staples, as they will back out.

Now, if this is what youve got, then the easy fix is to install a product called "Squeak Ender". This is a bracket that attaches to the bottom of the sub-floor, and anchors it to the floor joist by using a threaded bolt, nut & washer. It is easy to install... all you need is a screw gun, phillips bit (#2) and a 3/8" wrench. You CAN do it with a screwdriver, but you'll wear your arm out, lol.

You can find Squeak Enders at most Lowe's in the flooring department, or in the larger hardware chain stores. Check out the manufacturer's site Im providing... you may want to go with the "Seam Ender" version.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Listen to the Bigg Dogg. I surely hope you didn't have hardwoods installed over osb. It'll NEVER be right if you did. The house is only 2 years old, it should have a warranty. Our homes have a 20 year warranty on them. Which is why we NEVER use osb sheeting in homes with hardwoods. I hate to have to pay guys to do repairs. But check your warranty. It SHOULD at least cover 2 years. If you bought a new home with no warranty on labor and materials, then shame on you. If it IS covered, have the contractor replace the OSB with 3/4" PLYWOOD, and 1/4 luan underlayment, and tar paper. And make sure the installers nail the flooring as recomended by the manufacturer. As for a quick fix, the bigg dogg's answer gives you the proper way to repair the problem temporarily. But be careful. Working on the floor yourself could very well give the warranter of the property a reason to void the warranty. Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

u typed ob board, did u mean osb board? first, never install hardwood over osb board, will not hold the nails and the warranty is voided on the wood....second, never break a hardwood joint closer than 4 inches from a sub floor joint, ...third, always sand the sub floor joints before installing hardwood.....

ur pops, the nails have come loose or no nails there at the problem....solution, u can try and predrill 2 small holes at the ends of the boards, and angle them from outside toward the middle of the wood, this way u can face nail the wood and the new nails r going toward the middle of the hardwood, fill holes with colored putty....if this doesnt work u will need to replace the wood and dont let joints break n same place( when i say replace i mean the damaged wood only)

lic. gen. contractor