Floors Feel Bouncy

There are several factors that can make your floors squeak including seasonal changes in humidity levels and installation issues.

Floors feel bouncy.

Years ago while working as a carpenter i helped stiffen a bouncy floor by nailing a new 2 10 to each of the 2 10 joists that supported the floor. Majority of all gymnasium floors are hardwood and 95 of those are maple. The method or methods tom chooses depend as much on practicality as on effectiveness. 3 annoying floor sounds 1.

Squeaking is one of the most prevalent complaints homeowners have about wood floors. Add a wall or beam. Homeowners can place a. Then you ll need to add more support.

If you take a 2x10 solid lumber floor joist that is spanning 16 feet and place a 94 pound sack of cement in mid span the floor joist will bend downwards a given distance. Floor joists whether they be solid wood engineered lumber like yours or even steel can deflect or bend under a given amount of weight and a given amount of span. A springy or spongy feeling could indicate a minor issue a major problem or no problem at all. At times there may be spongy floors that appear to slope or sag as well as being spongy.

It is time tested and traditional and is tops in performance and din sports flooring certification. There are a variety of ways to stiffen a floor. Of course new homes also can have bouncy floors if the joists are approaching the maximum spanning distance for the weight they are supporting. If your inspection reveals rot or termites you ll have to tackle these problems before doing anything else by improving ventilation for rot or calling in the exterminators for termites.

Nail plywood cdx or bc to the underside of the floor joists. In addition to the floor being bouncy or spongy you may see cracks in the tile or grout if it s a tile floor or hear a snapping or creaking sound if its a laminated type of floor. No one likes the feel of a supposedly solid floor bouncing or sagging underfoot. Reducing bounce on concrete subfloors requires preparation before the panels are installed.

Floor deflection is common in older homes because the floor joists often are smaller or are spaced farther apart than the joists in modern homes. Even structurally sound code compliant new floors can deflect or flex more than feels comfortable. Tom s house was built in 1765 but bouncy floors aren t just an old house problem. The concrete should be swept to remove any debris that can alter the flat surface.