The surprising rise in new build squeaky floor issues
When we first developed our floor repair solutions around five years ago, we expected to focus on homes built between the 1970s and the early 2000s.
However, we were quite wrong about that. Lately, we have seen a massive increase in the number of people getting in touch regarding a new build squeaky floor. While older properties still make up a large portion of our work, the volume of newer homes needing help is truly eye-opening.
Why modern standards aren’t stopping the noise
There are several reasons why this trend is so unexpected. Firstly, modern building regulations now require 22mm chipboard, which is much sturdier than the older 18mm boards. Secondly, many products in the industry now come with ‘no squeak’ guarantees.
Ironically, these guarantees only highlight how widespread the problem has become. Despite these improved materials and promises, we are currently managing several remedial projects for homes that are only a few years old. Consequently, we are spending more time than ever fixing a new build squeaky floor for frustrated homeowners.
How construction issues lead to creaks
The primary problem usually begins during the construction phase. In many cases, the timber joists are installed with a high moisture content, often because they have been rained on before the roof was finished. Once the house is completed and the heating is turned on, these timbers dry out and shrink.
As the wood shrinks, it moves away from the metal joist hangers. Therefore, when you walk across the floor, the nails rub against the metal, creating a very distinctive clicking or metallic sound. We fix this by using high-quality adhesives and replacing offending nails with specialist screws to ensure the floor remains silent.
The impact of wet chipboard
Wet chipboard is perhaps the biggest culprit of all. Many of our clients recall seeing puddles of standing water on their floors while their houses were being built. Although chipboard is now manufactured with moisture-resistant additives, it can still swell and lose its structural integrity if it gets too wet.
As the boards eventually dry out, they change shape slightly. This movement causes the fixings to loosen and the edges of the boards to rub together. Furthermore, even the protective plastic sheets used by builders are not always enough to prevent this damage.
Our goal is to provide solutions
This article is not intended to be an attack on the construction industry. We understand that managing a building site is complex and that weather is unpredictable. However, we believe that you shouldn’t have to live with the annoyance of a noisy home just because of a few damp weeks during construction. We are not about pointing fingers; instead, we are focused on solving the problem for good.
Ready to silence your new home?
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