Building Standards?

Question

We have a floor that makes an awful noise when walked on. The floor is laid with chipboard, nailed onto joists. Is there a standard that needs to be applied when laying floors and constructing joists. We believe that noggins are not present in the construction. We have an NHBC Certificate.

Should amend floor is screwed down, believe there are insufficient noggins, would this make the floor noisey?

Could the floor joists have been installed without insufficient size per span ratio and incorrectly strutted. How would someone like me know this or find out this information.

Answer 1

Subfloors should be glued down to every joist with construction adhesive and than screwed down to the joists. You may be to eliminate the noise, by locating the joist under the flooring and screwing the flooring to the joist. Home centers carry different types of products that can be used to screw squeaky floors through carpeting, when the screw achieves a certain depth it snaps off just below the subloor.

Answer 2

Your floor sheeting is probably tongue and groove 5/8" for floors. Fully accepted for code. The install on the other hand... hmmm... it is best to screw (not nail) a floor and put one every 6" on every joist... having said that, the only way to tell is to pull the carpet up. If you did that, you can add the screws yourself and see if the noise goes away. Sometimes (and more often than not) it's the cross-bridging between the joists that is causing the squeak. To get at this, you need to lift the floor sheet and find the culprit... screw and glue it more secure between the joist and replace the floor sheets... pain in the *ss to do but makes a difference when it's done. Most builders in my area honor this repair (regardless of scope) for a year on a new house, after that you are on your own. It isn't difficult, just a pain.

Answer 3

first...chipboard floors are noisy but they must be glued and screwed ..the screws must be every 200 to 250mm ..you don't say the floor is bouncy so the joist must be of a good size ..there should be a noggin block or herringbone strut in the mid point position . and if a large span every third ..if you drill a hole in the floor big enough to pass a straw through ..you can push down till it wont go no more ..mark the straw ..and measure it this will give you the depth of joist ..don't for get to remove the thickness of the floor from the measurement ..normally 18mm .the joist should not be more than 450mm apart you will probably have to put more screws in ..but beware of pipes

Answer 4

Noggins are provided to prevent distortion of the floor joists i.e. twisting one row or more may be required this depends on the span of the joists, these noggins may be of solid timber or herringbone, but; they have no effect on the soundproofing or deadening of the floor decking. A good carpet with underlay should solve the noise aspect.

Answer 5

noggins are to stop the joists twisting &keep them at there set distance if they are missing then you get movement which could result in a lot of noise

Answer 6

It could be a moisture problem under the sub floor. This would call the boards to warp and make noise when you walk on them.

Answer 7

how old is building,there is guarantees on new build,if its new you have rights,they will have to correct it,find who built it, pursue,new houses cost LOTSof MONEY,exersise your rights!!
they normally do floors now with trated chipboard,mdf etc,it comes treated,but should last ten years plus before any sort of maintanance needs doing etc,its normally glued and fixed,sometimes the fitters cut corners,so get on the phone and SCREAM,you have rights,HOPE THIS HELPS........