Warning: That 'quick fix' for squeaky subfloor might cost you later

I had a job last month in a 1950s house where the owner insisted the squeaks were just from the old hardwood. I pulled up a board and found the real problem: a 3/4 inch plywood subfloor had separated from the joists over a 10 foot span. Instead of a full tear-out, I tried a trick my old boss showed me: I drilled pilot holes and used 3 inch deck screws every 6 inches along the joist lines, then glued and clamped the plywood down overnight. It worked perfectly and saved two days of demo. Has anyone else used this method on an older home?

3 comments

3 Comments

spencer19915d ago

Did you check for any hidden pipes or wires before you started drilling all those screws?

ruby_lane14d ago

Oh man, that's a scary thought. My uncle hit a water line once and flooded his kitchen. Always worth checking twice.

beth_baker6914d agoTop Commenter

Did that happen to you too? I still get nervous every time I drill into a wall.