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IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER
* Introductory Comments
Welcome!
* Customer questions
Removing carpet from hardwood floors
* This Issue's topic
Taking the squeek out of your floors, Part 1
* Next Issue's highlight
Taking the squeek out of your floors, Part 2
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CUSTOMER QUESTIONS
This issue's question comes from tiffany143909385@aol.com. she asks:
"My carpet is not glued to the hardwood floor so removing it is not a probelm. However it is tacked down by upright nails on strips of 1 inch wood pieces which are nailed into the floor. How do I go about removing the strips? Do I need a special tool? Then what do I use to fill in the holes of the floor?"
Damion's response:
A thin, flat prybar will work well to remove your carpet "tack strip". Drive the bar under the strip where the nails hold it down to the floor being careful not to let the sharp end of the prybar scrape the surface of the flooring. Start in a less-visible spot until you get the hang of it. If you plan to have the flooring refinished professionally, the contractor will have the best method for dealing with the holes. If you are satisfied with the finish, then you will probably end up using some of the colored wood putty available at hardware/ lumber stores. This type of putty will match well for color but remains soft in the holes. And you might expect a little black ring around each of the holes from moisture in the wood that rusted the nails. Hope you have some nice looking wood under there to enjoy!
Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to:
Damion@free-flooring.com
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THIS ISSUE'S TOPIC
An excellent resource from HandymanUSA. Enjoy!
Squeaky Stairs Need Repair
I have squeaky basement stairs that I want to try and repair. I have access to the bottom of the stairs. What is the best way to fix this problem?
Here is a quick and effective fix for those stairs. The squeak you hear is the treads rubbing against the nails that affix the treads to the stringers. Just drive wood screws through the treads at each corner where the treads contact the stringers. Its also a good idea to countersink these screws so as not to create a trip hazard.
To eliminate the squeaks try one or more of these ideas:
If there are wedges stuck into the joints of the risers and the steps, tap those is tight or add more if some are missing. A dab of glue on the wedge before tapping it in will hold it in place.
If you identify a squeaker, glue and screw some blocks in place underneath where the riser meets the tread. Glue and screw the block to the riser first, just a little lower than the upper edge so that the tread will be pulled down to it by the screw.
To stiffen them up and eliminate creaks, you can install metal "L" shelf brackets. Again, mount them a little lower than the upper edge on the riser so that the tread will be pulled down.
Creaky Hardwood Stairs
Can and how do you repair creaky hard oak wood stairs and floor boards. A friend of mine told me to sprinkle baby powder over the boards. What I want to do is repair the stairs from creaking so much before I lay down new carpeting, any suggestions?
I have heard the baby powder idea before.. but never tried it. Before you cover it with carpet though, it is better to fix it for good.
If you have access to the under side, you have the best chance of fixing it. You would need to wedge wood (coated with a little glue) into any cracks between the steps and he stringers. Small edges made of wood (like from cedar shakes) work good. Renail or screw any areas that have come loose. Don't just drive the nail back in.
If you have to have access from only the top, look for where the original nails are along the fronts and sides of the steps and renail any on squeaky steps. Countersink the nails (use finishing nails) and fill the nail holes with matching wood putty.
Squeaky Floors under Linoleum
I have severe squeaks under the linoleum in both the bathroom and kitchen (with wood subfloor beneath). I have an unfinished basement with clear access to the joist and subfloor. I've been told to drill up through the joist to the subflooring. but wont this make a dent in the linoleum above? Should glue be applied between the joist and subflooring before driving the screw? I need step-by-step instructions on how to go about doing this. can anyone help?
Yes, you have been told correctly, that you can stop the squeak by drilling up through the joist into the subfloor. BUT as you suspected, you need to be VERY careful both with screw length selection and how deep you drive the screw so that you DON'T go too far up and come through the subfloor into the linoleum. So before you start, make sure you know how thick the subfloor and underlayment is. Better to be too short a few times than too long even once.
Another hint: When you are doing this, place the largest heaviest weight on the floor above where you are drilling/screwing. Then you will be fastening the floor down and not trying to pull it down with the screw.
And more... Be sure to predrill the the hole in the joist so the screw does not thread into the joist, only the subfloor. That way the screw will pull and hold the floor down tight.
Squeaky Floors under Carpet
Can you tell me how to repair squeaky wooden floors that have carpet over the floor ? I have seen advertised on the internet "Mr.Squeeeky which consist of screws that break off after they are screwed into the floor. Do these screws really work?
I never used this product, but I just checked out their website and I do believe it would work. It only seems a shame to have to pay that 39 dollars for some break away screws.
I would be tempted to try it myself... score some screws, do some practice drilling to see how much to score.. and how well they break off. The last thing you want is the darn screw broken off just low enough you can't get a pair of vise grips on it.. and just high enough that you feel it with your bare feet. Know what I mean??
Anyway. If you are dealing with a floor where you can't get to it from underneath.. then these screws do look like they will do the job. Whether you buy the Mr. Squeeeky set up or try it yourself I would recommend doing the first one in the corner, where you don't walk. Just to get the feel. And when you do it over the squeaks, add some extra weight.... really weight it down over the joist, so it gets pulled in tight. With the threads going through both the underlayment/subflooring as well as the joist, the screw will not be able to pull them all together. So you want the weight on top to do that.
More Squeaky Floors under Carpet
Our home is only 14 years old, but the floors squeak at various spots throughout the house. Does anyone have an idea how to reduce the squeaks without having to take up the carpet and screw down the floor boards, etc.?
The best way is to take up the carpet, but barring that, finish nails work pretty well but you must be able to locate the floor joists.
There are special screws that are made for this purpose too and work better. They are quite narrow and have heads that snap off after you drive them into the floor joists.
Still More on Squeaky Floors under Carpeting/Vinyl
How do you recommend going about fixing a squeaky floor that has carpeting installed? I have access to the subflooring and joists from the basement. I am having similar problems with flooring that has vinyl covering over it.
If you have access from below, you are in the best shape. What you want to do is screw up through the joists into the subfloor and pull the subflooring down tight to the joists. Use wood screws with no threads on the upper part of the shank.. and pre drill the hole in the joist so the screw doesn't "screw" into the joist, only the subfloor and underlayment. BE EXTRA CAREFUL not to use too long a screw and come through. (This would be more of a problem in the vinyl) The screws will angle up through the joists near the top... know what I mean? Also.. it would help when you do this,, to have the biggest person you know.. or the heaviest thing around to put right over where you are screwing.. that way the floor is pushed down to the joist as you do it.
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