Incredibly creaky floors - what to do? (rental, townhouse)

[acvpt]

We have incredibly creaky floors that we are considering fixing. We live in a rental townhouse, and the floors on the 2nd level creak so loudly that they have woken our baby. My understanding is that someone will need to pull back the carpets, screw the floorbaords back down, then replace the carpet.

Has anyone had a service like this performed? If so, can you recommend a reliable person/company to do the job?

We live in 22181 zip code.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[lqda4]

Since you are renting, shouldn't that be the landlord responsibility?

[cb at sea]

There is actually a tool you can get to screw the floors THROUGH the carpet....The screw doesn't have a "head" on it, and it's made to go thru the carpet and then the tool "breaks" it off under the carpet level....I ordered one form some catalog....Solutions (or something like that...) it works! You simply have to measure where you think the floor joists are...as long as you hit the joist, it will tighten the subfloor. It works! You will need a powerful screwdriver/drill, tho...it's not something you can do by hand.

[acvpt]

Yes, we do think it should be the landlord's responsibility. We are hoping to offer a solution when we call with the problem. If we could offer up costs and/or a recommendation to fix the problem, she may be more willing to spring for the repairs. However, she may not want to - particularly if she was already going to replace the carpet after we leave. Some people might not think that squeaky floors are a big deal - we never did until we had babies and toddlers that we need to stay sleeping!!

[kevinm]

Originally Posted by acvpt

Yes, we do think it should be the landlord's responsibility. We are hoping to offer a solution when we call with the problem. If we could offer up costs and/or a recommendation to fix the problem, she may be more willing to spring for the repairs. However, she may not want to - particularly if she was already going to replace the carpet after we leave. Some people might not think that squeaky floors are a big deal - we never did until we had babies and toddlers that we need to stay sleeping!!

I bet the landlord would laugh in your face to complain about "creaky floors".

[khuntrevor]

try eating less.

[South Jersey Styx]

Yes, it's the landlord's responsibility, whether you move out now or later. So I would pursue that avenue first instead of searching for quotes from contractors. Your subfloor (solid sheets of plywood) is separating from the floor framing. So all they need is to be nailed/screwed back down. The landlord has a handyman/facilities service available anyway. It shouldn't be that big of a deal to a landlord. But if you reiterate the problems (i.e., disturbing your sleep, issues with new infant, hardship, etc.) they might react faster. Good luck!

[acvpt]

Thanks for all of the serious and meaningful suggestions.

[Tulkas]

Here is a link to the through the carpet kit

Squeeeeek-No-More (squeaky floors under carpet repair kit)

[acvpt]

It has been a while, but our floors are fixed. After two unreliable contractors not showing up, then having an estimate by a company that books approx 2 weeks out, I am happy to report that they are finished.

The landlord did not laugh in our face. In fact, she was happy to help us out. Thank you for the recommendations for the Sqeeek No More floor kits. I purchased a kit and a second set of the screws, and she paid for a licensed contractor to come do the work. They are not perfect, but they are much better.