Tired of creaking floors, but a familiar master suggested a simple solution to the problem. Now I don't suffer

Are the floors creaking in the apartment? You can fix this problem yourself.

Doing repairs with your own hands, you can find problems that, at first glance, are very difficult to deal with. In fact, armed with a screwdriver and self-tapping screws, you can easily do the job without resorting to the help of professional craftsmen. This simple solution was suggested to me by a friend of mine.

Let's analyze the case when the floors creak quite strongly. But even if the creak appears occasionally and is heard very weakly, you should not leave it unattended. In our example, the work is complicated by the fact that the wooden boards are covered with a sheet of fiberboard. We will not rip it off, even if it is worn out. In the future, the floors are supposed to be updated with linoleum, and fiberboard will avoid unevenness and will serve as additional insulation.

How to find lags

First, let's deal with the plinth, so it needs to be changed by choosing a new, more modern version. We examine the gap formed between the floor boards and the wall. The goal is to find lags. As it turned out, this task is not easy, the gap is rather narrow, even a ruler cannot fit into it.

There is only one conclusion: we will act by touch. We need to attach the boards to the joists using self-tapping screws 76 mm long (they are twice the thickness of the board).

I advise you not to use a smaller size, the fastening will be insufficient, and the creak will continue to pester you, as before. Keep in mind that the lag can consist of two parts, and their joining does not always go along the same line, but shifts to the left or right. Therefore, if, while screwing the board, you feel that the screw comes in easily, without any effort, start feeling for the lag to the side.

What is required to eliminate the squeak

Make sure that the fastening is carried out correctly, avoid cracks. This moment is easy to track, because by tearing off the plinth, you will see the borders of the board. Use a screwdriver to fasten screws. Even if you rarely do repairs, buying such a necessary tool in the household is simply a must.

Fasten the boards to the log using at least two self-tapping screws per piece, this will be more reliable.

Keep in mind that there are several lags in one room. When finished, check the result. First, walk on the floor, then lightly press the toe of the shoe in suspicious places. If, after all your efforts, a slight, almost inaudible creak remains, strengthen the fasteners using a few more screws. Your work will not be in vain, and you will no longer be annoyed by unpleasant sounds when walking around the room.